Riverwalk Commission readies master plan for public comment
By Colt Foutz
STAFF WRITER

Weeks of work — and at least a few walks — have brought the Riverwalk Commission closer to finalizing its master plan for improvements to the downtown path.

Design consultant Greg Sagen has ranked a list of suggested modifications to be undertaken in the next 15 to 20 years. The commission will meet Wednesday to finalize the list. The recommendations range from adding restrooms and signs to defining overlooks and adding more seating around the quarry.

The commission's plan is due to the City Council this winter. Before then, the list will be presented for public input at two meetings. At the first, Nov. 25, the commission will welcome comments from organizations including the Riverwalk Foundation, Downtown Naperville Alliance, Chamber of Commerce and Century Walk. The second session will occur at the December meeting of the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation.

The commission is also wrapping up work on its reserve study, which plots repairs and budgets capital improvements over the next two decades. Among the major projects the commission will initiate in the next several years are installing boulders along the riverbank at Jaycee Park, revamping the north bank from Main to Washington streets and rehabilitating the path's original segment in time for its 25th anniversary in 2006.

Rotary Hill parking

Commission members are growing increasingly frustrated at what they feel is a lack of parking for Riverwalk visitors.

Each weekday morning, the Rotary Hill lot is clogged with cars. Many do not adhere to the three-hour limit, Commissioner Cliff Preston said.

Preston believes students from Naperville Central High School may be the most frequent violators. Although he has requested increased police enforcement, he hasn't noticed any change. People still complain they can't park and enjoy the Riverwalk.

Naperville Central senior Jeff Nelson, participating in his first commission meeting as student liaison, confirmed Preston's fears — though not about enforcement. Students are getting tickets, Nelson said, sometimes twice or three times a week. But students have ignored the principal's warnings over the intercom or have found a way around enforcement. Students ask friends to wipe off the chalk marks of traffic cops, Nelson said, or move their cars during lunch.

The commission asked Nelson to share its concerns with the student newspaper and school principal.

"Maybe you can be an advocate for us," Rick Hitchcock said.

Fredenhagen Park

Plans are set for the 4 p.m. Nov. 28 ribbon cutting at the park, southeast of Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Nearly all the brick pavers are in place at the park, Preston said, and construction is humming along, albeit behind schedule.

Also delayed is the installation of donor plaques. Although much of the wording for the plaques has been reviewed, casting will take time and will likely not be finished until after the ribbon cutting. For that, Hitchcock offered his apologies.

"We're very grateful for the contributions," he said. "We're very sorry that the process was so painfully slow. ... We wanted to make sure it's done right."

All elements of the park, including spring plantings, should be in place for the May dedication.

East extension pavers

The commission is also catching up on engraving commemorative pavers purchased for the path's east extension. In some cases, donors have waited two or three years to see their bricks laid, Hitchcock said.

A purchase order for the bricks was issued in October, and all text is in the hands of the engraver, Hitchcock said. Weather permitting, the pavers should be installed before year's end, he said. But all should be in place by spring.

Hitchcock promised the process would improve in the future, after the Riverwalk's master plan and reserve study are finalized.

Contact staff writer Colt Foutz at cfoutz@scn1.com or (630) 416-5196.