History

With typical can-do spirit, Naperville community leaders envisioned a way to celebrate the community’s 150th anniversary in 1981 by replacing a blighted Downtown Riverfront with a picturesque riverside park. With funds from the City, civic organizations, corporate and private donors, and through the cooperation of the City, community leaders, contractors, and community volunteers, that vision became a reality. Beginning with just two blocks, the Riverwalk has been expanded and improved for more than 40 years.