By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
A plan to light up the riverfront path is underway by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation.
On Oct. 29, members of the foundation approached members of the village board, giving trustees an update on projects and goals of the non-profit organization charged with maintaining Plainfield’s banks of the DuPage River for the past eight years.
Riverfront Foundation Executive Director Rob Epley gave a presentation during a special meeting of the board, announcing that the foundation spent around $200,000 in riverfront improvements in 2018, including adding pathways, installation of new lighting, the addition of the new K9 Memorial, and upkeep and maintenance of grounds and the Riverfront building that houses a local education center.
The K9 Memorial was a major project completed in 2018. More than $45,000 was donated to the memorial fund to build the site, which includes a stone memorial, bench seating, landscaping, a flagpole, a pathway, and parking. (Photo by Marney Simon)
That money is now added to the foundation’s overall improvements, which have included more than $300,000 invested into the riverfront for property improvements, building remodeling, landscaping, fixtures, engineering, trail support, signage, and property maintenance.
The foundation’s 2018 lighting project includes a revamp of lighting along the riverfront from Lockport Street south to the new bridge.
“If you’ve been by the riverfront you’ve see a lot of dirt being turned over and a lot of activity down there,” Epley said. “This is our DuPage River Trail lighting project. This consists of 18 light poles, which will be erected on the property, along with the K9 Memorial uplighting and security camera connectivity to the property.”
The lighting project is a $150,000 investment in the riverfront, which includes manufacture and installation of the poles. The project is expected to be done by late 2018 or early 2019. Epley said the ground labor is complete, leaving installation the last of the project. The light poles are expected to be delivered to the foundation after Thanksgiving.
Other projects for 2018 include:
- K9 Memorial – The joint partnership project with the Plainfield Police Department was built entirely from donated funds. The memorial was unveiled in the spring to honor the police and fire dogs that assist emergency responders in Plainfield and throughout the area. More than $45,000 was donated by the community to put toward the project, which includes a stone memorial, bench seating, landscaping, a flagpole, a pathway, and parking.
- Riverfront Parking – The foundation utilized $2,400 to install 45 parking blocks at the entrance to the riverfront park, as well as by the K9 Memorial. Epley said the parking blocks helped regulate parking during busy downtown events, such as the weekly cruise nights, and help keep folks from parking on the grass.
- Natural Wildflower Area – The foundation has invested $3,800 into wildflower plantings, which are expected to grow up to three feet tall and provide natural beautification behind the K9 Memorial.
- Lockport Street Bridge Memorial Sign – The $1,900 sign was placed over the summer, providing information to pedestrians on the origins of development along the riverfront as a tourism destination.
Epley told the board that currently, the Riverfront Foundation has $185,213 inside their riverfront account, and $30,873 in the K9 Memorial account.
The village owns the land where much of the foundation operates, including the riverfront property in Electric Park and the former public works building along the riverfront which now serves as the foundation’s offices and education center.
The Riverfront Foundation hosts Plainfield Fest each year, their largest fundraiser. In addition to the festival, the foundation also draws funds from additional fundraisers, commemorative brick sales, contributions, and smaller festivals and special nights out, including the upcoming Casino Night in December.
“The Plainfield Riverfront Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the impact of our Plainfield riverfront, by supporting a vision to create and sustain a destination that promotes the cultural, natural, economic, and recreational amenity,” Epley said.
The Riverfront Foundation was formed in 2009 to raise funds to revitalize the riverfront, as part of Plainfield’s 2007 master plan.
The current Riverfront Foundation building and educational center was once the lab building for the village’s wastewater treatment plant. The foundation gutted that building, adding public bathrooms, a patio, and a concession stand.
The education center inside that building is open the first Saturday of every month.
Information on the Riverfront Foundation, including how to donate or volunteer, can be found on the foundation’s website, plainfieldriverfront.org.