City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Oct. 31

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By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jan 4, 2024

City of Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction Committee met Oct. 31

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Friant called the October 31, 2023 Naperville Riverwalk Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Committee meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. The meeting was held in the Naperville Employee University (NEU) at the Municipal Center, located at 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL.

B. ROLL CALL:

Present: Pam Bartlett; Jan Erickson (arrived 7:32 a.m.); Jeff Friant, Chairman; Pat Kennedy; Tiffani Picco; and Carl Wohlt

Absent: John Cuff; Mary Gibson; Ian Holzhauer; John Joseph; Bill Novack; and Mike Sullivan

Also Present: Rebecca DeLarme, City staff; Brian Dusak, ERA; Rick Hitchcock, former Riverwalk Commission Chairman; Peggy Motta, Naperville Park District; Carl Peterson, GRWA; Marilyn Schweitzer, resident; and Eric Shutes, Naperville Park District

C. PUBLIC FORUM:

There were no public comments.

D. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Park District - Tiffani Picco

Picco reported that the fountains have been shut down for the season and they have been working in Section 8 and the Nicor Plaza clearing out invasive weeds and removing overgrown shrubs. They will continue to make improvements in the area.

Tulips have come in and staff will be planting bulbs this week.

The Vietnam Wall of Remembrance will be on display near the Grand Pavilion from November 9th through the 13th, with a Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th at 11:00 a.m.

A new full-time employee has been hired to fill the Park Specialist I position.

2. Approval of Minutes - Jeff Friant

Approve minutes from the September 5, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

A motion to approve the September 5, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Erickson and seconded by Picco. MOTION CARRIED with Bartlett abstaining

Approve minutes from the October 3, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting

A motion to approve the October 3, 2023 Planning, Design and Construction Committee meeting minutes was made by Bartlett and seconded by Kennedy. MOTION CARRIED with Erickson, Friant, Picco and Wohlt abstaining

3. Prairie Nature Garden - Park District Staff

Friant read the following message submitted to the riverwalk@naperville.il.us mailbox from resident Brian Dickhut regarding the Prairie Nature Garden:

I saw the following article discussing the possibility of a prairie garden being installed in the area adjacent to the volleyball and ice hockey rinks for $150-200k: Concept for new prairie garden presented to Naperville committee (chicagotribune.com) . I would like to submit feedback encouraging the Park District and Riverwalk committee to ensure that any future changes not impact the common ice skating area adjacent to the ice hockey rinks. It seems like a very large amount of money to spend on a prairie garden, but ultimately if the decision is made to go forward with it, provisions should be made in the design and use plans to ensure that the area can still continue to be used for non-hockey ice skating in the winter. While I am sure that the prairie garden will be aesthetically pleasing in the summer, it should not detract from the opportunities for outdoor physical exercise for the public during the winter. Only a limited demographic is able to make use of the ice hockey rinks, but people of all backgrounds young and old are able to make use of the general skating area in a safe non-contact manner. I believe the 2031 master plan mentions continued use of the area for volleyball and ice skating, but it isn’t clear if this would limit it to the two existing ice hockey rinks/volleyball courts with the elimination of the general skating area on the east half or not. I strongly encourage the continuation of the multi-use nature of this area so that the full area continues to be available for ice skating in the winter. Thank you for your consideration.

Shutes reviewed an updated concept plan of the Riverwalk Prairie Nature Garden project that was previously discussed at the September 5th PDC Committee meeting. He provided a concept that showcased both the ice hockey area and the ice skating area, addressing the resident concerns just shared by Friant. He discussed the interpretive signage that was recently done with the Kiwanis Club of Naperville at Veterans Park and noted there may be opportunities for sponsorship/partnership with individuals, residents or community groups for naming opportunities and the chance to tell the story of environmental stewardship and sustainability. He added that, to be consistent with other areas of the Riverwalk, they do not recommend adding any additional benches at this time unless the PDC Committee or Riverwalk Commission feels they are needed. He was able to locate the GRWA concept plan from 2010 that identified improvements north of the area to include a rain garden, permeable pavers, landscaping and lighting improvements. He reminded the group of the Park District’s plan to conduct a Site Master Plan in 2025, where they will be considering this information along with community input. They view this project of the 2031 Master Plan as being separate, and as “ready to go” if the Riverwalk Commission is ready to proceed.

Motta reviewed the revised cost estimate of $40,000 which includes maintenance of the area for three years, once a month, and the concrete curbing, paver install, interpretive sign, and two benches. It was noted that the original cost estimate in the Master Plan included a larger area and a boardwalk which cannot be constructed due to the floodway. Shutes advised that Motta met with DuPage County on the shoreline restoration and they are working through the engineering with ERA.

4. Eagle Street Gateway Project - Surface Treatment under the Oliver Hoffman Pavilion - Brian Dusak and Carl Peterson

Peterson met with Bartlett and Mike DiCristina to view the area after last month’s PDC Committee meeting. Previous suggestions to include public art, stamped concrete and grouted stone were discussed, and concerns were raised about aesthetics, erosion control, discouraging graffiti on any applied surface and discouraging extended stays under the Pavilion. The use of existing retaining wall limestone that would be demolished as part of the project was suggested, noting it could be placed in a stepped pattern, grouted in place, and would address these concerns. The PDC Committee was in agreement with this suggestion and the plans will be updated to include these provisions.

Dusak addressed the Park District’s request of possibly widening the path on the east side of the pathway to the lower walk to accommodate their maintenance vehicles. He noted they could increase the slope to eliminate some of the suggested railing. The group discussed the grading requirements, the frequency the vehicles would need to be in the area (three or four times per year), and the possibility of a removable section of railing. The group agreed on the importance of providing accessibility and a comfortable experience for the user and keeping with the original plan. Dusak will further review the railing requirements with his team.

5. South Gateway Project Update - Brian Dusak

Dusak provided an update on the concept alignment for the South Gateway project and reviewed the current 10 and 100-year storm event information as it relates to the proposed path. The low flow walkway may be blocked off a few times per year during flood events and pedestrian traffic would be directed to the upper multi-use path. Discussion followed on the possibility of including some type of device or removable bollards for the area to assist the Park District staff, and the size of the proposed maintenance shed. The opportunity to pull some of the walkway closer to the river to improve the overall experience was discussed with the group agreeing with the recommended change. Schweitzer noted the importance of lighting in the area with Dusak advising they continue to look at this while minimally impacting the area residents.

E. NEW BUSINESS:

There was no new business to discuss.

F. MEETING SCHEDULE:

Riverwalk Commission, November 8, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, December 5, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Commission, December 13, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

Riverwalk Planning, Design & Construction, January 2, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

Municipal Center NEU, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL

G. ADJOURNMENT: