Ribbon-cutting set for new Naperville park
By Sarah McCammon Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted November 13, 2003

After months of work, the Naperville Riverwalk Commission is gearing up for the unveiling of the city's newest park.

Fredenhagen Park, on the east end of the riverfront path, is expected to open to the public after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Nov. 28.

"It's (going to be) very low-key," commissioner Rick Hitchcock said Wednesday. "We're going to let the public know what the status of the project is and thank people that need to be thanked."

The site near the intersection of Washington Street and Chicago Avenue, which originally was home to Cock Robin ice cream parlor, was donated by Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen in memory of their parents, the store's owners.

Construction of the park is in its final stages, and Hitchcock said developers hope to have the site ready for opening by the date of the ribbon-cutting.

Workers are testing the park's fountain, completing installation of major pieces including the clock tower and arbors, and finishing electrical work and brickwork around the fountain, commissioner and city engineer Bill Novack said.

Landscape work and installation of pavers and plaques honoring the park's donors will be completed during the winter and spring in preparation for a final dedication ceremony in May, he said.

Hitchcock said parts of the project have taken longer than expected, but the ceremony will give the public a chance to see the completed portions of the park before next year's dedication.

"We want to let people know the park is open and bring them up to date and recognize our generous contributors," he said. "Even as nice as it's going to look now, it's going to look even nicer in the spring."