Riverwalk Group Picks New Logo
By Amy Boerema Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Thursday, November 18, 2004

Artist Shane Sims created several detailed digital images of Naperville's Riverwalk, but ultimately chose to go with a simpler, hand-drawn design.

The Riverwalk Foundation agreed with him that simplicity worked best.

His entry was chosen as the winner of the nonprofit group's logo design contest, members said Wednesday.

"I really was surprised and proud to be a part of this," said Sims, who lives in Plainfield.

The organization, which raises money for Riverwalk projects, received 42 entries from area artists, high school students and even a Denmark resident who discovered the contest while browsing the Web.

"The imagination went all over," foundation member Jo Lundeen said. "We received very high-tech beautiful designs that had nothing to do with the Riverwalk to entries that were very much our Riverwalk."

Sims' drawing will be used on letterhead and brochures to give the foundation a more solid identity, she said.

The group often is confused with the Riverwalk Commission, which meets monthly to plan and design Riverwalk projects.

The simplicity of Sims' design - which features a river and a shepherd's-crook light pole - won over the judges.

"He captured the movement of the river and we were all very happy with it," Lundeen said.

Sims, who said he often spends time at the Riverwalk, first included elements such as the bridge and path, along with the river and lamppost, in his designs.

"I decided that was too much and went down to two basic symbols," he said.

He said he hasn't decided between choosing the $500 cash award or a commemorative brick at Fredenhagen Park that would be installed around the park's downtown fountain.