Work Starts On $2.1M North Central College Riverwalk Park

NAPERVILLE, IL — Crews have begun work on North Central College Riverwalk Park, a collaborative project between the college and Naperville Park District.

The goal of the park, which will be located at 430 S. Washington St., isto link the North Central College campus, the Riverwalk and Friedenhagen Park by way of Moser Bridge.

North Central College Riverwalk Park will feature a lighted archway entrance, native plants, seating walls, ADA-accessible paths and ramps to the Riverwalk and street level. Visitors will be able to take in views of North Central's campus and nearby Friedenhagen Park.

The $2.1 million project is funded by $1.3 million in state grant money, along with Naperville's Capital Project Fund.

“We are very excited to move forward with the construction of North Central College Riverwalk Park. This park will provide a new gateway for the College as well as extend the low-flow walkway from the recently completed Washington Street Bridge to the Moser Covered Bridge,” Transportation, Engineering and Development Deputy Director Andy Hynes said in a statement. “It will also feature an accessible ramp between the river and street level. Combined with the South extension project that we hope to begin this fall, residents and visitors will soon be able to walk along this scenic section of the river with a new connection between the Edward Hospital campus and downtown Naperville.”

North Central College President Dr. Abiódún Gòkè-Pariolá said, “The start of this project marks the realization of a vision the College had when it first purchased the property more than a decade ago. We are grateful to the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District for sharing our vision to enhance the Riverwalk and strengthen the College’s connection to and visibility within Downtown Naperville. This is a wonderful example of public-private collaboration that will benefit the entire community.”

Construction kicked off during the last week of May and is expected to wrap up before October, when the park is tentatively set to open.