Naperville Riverwalk
This location is known as the crown jewel of Naperville. On the banks of the Dupage River, there is a location regarded as beautiful and serene. It is comprised of 1.75 miles of walled walkways, fountains, bridges, gathering and event areas, outdoor sculptures and artwork, leisure amenities, and memorials. The Naperville Riverwalk was constructed in 1981 as a permanent tribute to the city's 150th birthday. Fredenhagen Park, with its distinctive clock tower and Exchange Club Memories fountain, is located to the east.
The Dandelion Fountain, the Rowing Boat Quarry, and the distinctive Bell Tower are located in the middle. Historic Centennial Beach is located further to the west, with water depths ranging from zero to fifteen feet.
FUN FACT: The Illinois Department of Public Health classifies it as a beach rather than a swimming pool. The water is chlorinated, recirculated, and manually cleaned to remove contaminants, but it is not filtered as it would be in a standard swimming pool. Centennial Park's inline skating/skateboarding facilities and Jaycee Playground are located to the west.
The Naperville Riverwalk is one of the area's many unique and free forms of entertainment.
The Riverwalk offers a therapeutic experience with almost 1.75 miles of walled paths that pass by serene scenery, fountains, parks, artwork, and the DuPage River.
“I adore the Riverwalk – there is an upper brick, lower concrete walk or jog you can do, which I do most days along the river – there are plants, flowers, fish, ducks, kayakers, different families, water fountains, covered bridges, occasional snakes, frogs, and even a heron or two now and then to view.” – Jenna Wilson
Great place for sundowners or sunsets – bikes are not permitted – it is lighted so you can even walk at dusk – lots of people of all ages, babies in strollers, on the trail – early morning and peaceful – there is a new playground west of the quarry – clean restrooms, access to many restaurants – paddle boats and kayaks can be rented from May to September, and during the summer there is a Riverwalk Café near the turning hill.
During certain weekend hours, it is also possible to climb Carilllon and view the surrounding area from above.
The Naperville Historic District
The Naperville Historic District in Naperville's downtown is a wonderful spot for recreation.
The Naper Settlement is the most important historic site. The Naperville Historic District is a National Register of Historic Places-listed collection of 613 buildings located in the oldest eastern section of Naperville. This historic museum features renovated historic structures that were relocated from several Naperville areas. The grounds next to the Naper Settlement are extremely lovely and provide several chances for recreation.
The Naperville Park District
The Naperville Park District manages and provides recreational and leisure activities to Naperville and neighboring region people. In 1966, the district was founded by referendum.
In 2007, the Park District oversaw more than 10 square miles of open space, including more than 130 parks and four sports facilities.
The Park District also manages Springbrook and Naperbrook golf courses. The Park District is also responsible for the Naperville Riverwalk, whose development began in 1981 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Joseph Naper's first settlement. The Park District also manages Centennial Beach and Centennial Park, two skateboard and in-line skating parks at the Frontier Sports Complex and Centennial Park, Commissioners Park, which opened in 2006 and features Naperville's first official cricket field, the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, and the Community Garden Plots on West Street. Knoch Knolls Park, which features a short mountain bike track and a nine-hole Frisbee golf course, is situated between Ring Road and 95th Street in the south.
Quarry Lake In Naperville
In season, Quarry Lake offers boating and fishing options. The footbridges over the river are lovely. Moser Tower is an additional must-see landmark. Overall, a visit to the historic quarter of Naperville will be highly entertaining.
The Moser Tower and the Millennium Carillon
Due to the construction of the Moser Tower and the Millennium Carillon, Naperville was named a White House Millennium Community in 1999. The tower is a bell tower located in Riverwalk Park north of Aurora Avenue and at the base of Rotary Hill. The carillon is a Grand Carillon with 72 bells and one of only four carillons in the world with a six-octave range.
It was dedicated on June 29, 2000, as part of an Independence Day event attended by more than 15,000 people and included performances by the Naperville Municipal Band and the Naperville Mens Glee Club and Festival Chorus. The carillon can be played manually or electronically.
The majority of the bells are rung manually, however a computerized system rings half of the bells at specified times of the day.
The carillon is currently operational and can be observed following performances.
FUN FACT: In the fall of 2005, the Naperville City Council debated financing disputes for the tower's completion (and have not been resolved to date).
The tower's design was acknowledged as the best tailored solution by the Precast/Pretensioned Concrete Institute
Where Are The Naperville Municipalities?
There are six municipalities in two counties that make up Naperville. The northwest half of Dupage County is located in Winfield Township, the northeast portion is located in Milton Township, the west central portion is located in Naperville Township, and the east central portion is located in Lisle Township.
The southwest half of Will County is in Wheatland Township, whereas the southeast portion is in DuPage Township. The majority of residents of Naperville reside in Lisle Township, followed by Naperville Township.
North Central College of Naperville
North Central College is located on a 23.9-acre campus on Chicago Avenue in downtown Naperville.
Since 1870, it has been located in Naperville, where it was established in 1861 by a precursor congregation of the United Methodist Church.
Northern Illinois University's Naperville satellite campus
Northern Illinois University's satellite campus on Diehl Road provides multiple degree programs in 10,500 square feet, whereas DePaul University's satellite campus is located on Warrenville Road. Rickett Drive is where the College of DuPage Naperville Regional Center is located.
State University also has constructed a satellite campus in Naperville on West 95th Street, while Northwestern College has a location on North Mill Street.
In 2007, the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign established a campus for Business & Industrial Services in Naperville.
Naperville's Primary and Secondary Education
Two public elementary and secondary school districts serve the city of Naperville (along with a number of private, parochial schools, including public schools in neighboring Aurora and Lisle).
According to their district, Illinois school districts are assigned numbers.
FUN FACT: In 1972, primary and high school districts merged to form Naperville Community Unit School District 203, which covers downtown Naperville (as well as portions of the neighboring cities of Lisle and Bolingbrook).
Current school buildings in District 203 were constructed between 1928 (Ellsworth) and 2010 (Ann Reid Early Childhood Education Center).
Within the city confines of Naperville, the district operates two high schools, Naperville Central High School and Naperville North High School, four middle schools, and thirteen elementary schools. In addition, the school system has one primary and one high school in Lisle.
Indian Prairie School District 204 (IPSD) was also created in 1972 as a result of district consolidation.
Health Care Systems In Naperville
Naperville is served by Edward Hospital, Good Samaritan in Downers Grove, Central DuPage in Winfield, and two other hospitals in nearby Aurora. Edward Hospital and others have attempted for many years to construct a new hospital in Naperville, but their proposal has been denied. This makes Naperville the only major Illinois city with a single hospital. Currently, Edward Hospital is attempting to open a hospital in Plainfield to reduce commute time for Naperville residents.
Naperville's Streets And Highways
As a typical American suburb, Naperville's major mode of transportation is the automobile. The Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (the toll portion of Interstate 88) is located near the northern city limits of Naperville and has three exits at IL 59, Winfield Road (near Warrenville), and Naperville Road. I-55 passes through Bolingbrook and Romeoville approximately 5 miles south of the city. To reach Naperville from Interstate 55, take the Weber Road exit and proceed north.
At an east-northwest/west-southwest angle, Route 34 Ogden Avenue approaches Naperville from the west at Illinois Route 59 from Oswego and Aurora. US 34 Ogden Ave turns north at Rickert Drive and runs under the BNSF Railroad bridge before turning east at North Aurora Road/Raymond Dr. Illinois Route 59 enters Naperville along this route. US 34 Ogden Avenue leaves the eastern portion of the city at Naper Boulevard and proceeds to Lisle and Downers Grove.
Illinois Route 59 goes north and south, entering the city from Plainfield (south of 111th Street) to the south and Warrenville (north of 111th Street) to the north (at I-88).
From US 34 Ogden Avenue to the BNSF railroad bridge, Route 59 defines the western boundary with Aurora.
111th St (Hassert Blvd), 95th St (Knoch Knolls Rd), 87th St, Aurora Ave, North Aurora Rd, Diehl Rd, Rickert Dr, Royce Rd, Bailey Rd, and Hobson Rd are important east-west streets.
Raymond Dr, Book Rd, River Rd, West St, Naperville-Plainfield Rd, Modaff Rd, Washington St, Naper Blvd (Naperville Rd), and Wehrli Rd are major north-south routes.
From 75th Street south, Naperville's east-west numbered streets essentially follow the same grid as Chicago's.
If 75th Street continued east beyond its terminus at Illinois Route 83 in Willowbrook, it would become the same 75th Street as in the Chicago metropolitan region.
The older section of Naperville, however, has a second number grid that stretches from downtown Main and Benton to 15th Avenue through 4th and 5th Avenues, north of the BNSF tracks.
From downtown, the numbers in the older system increase from south to north, whereas in the other grids the numbers increase from north to south. There is also a geographically-based naming system, with streets to the west and north defining the original city borders.
Additionally, roadways are named after the city to which they lead, such as Naper/Plainfield Road, Aurora Avenue, and Chicago Avenue (in neighboring Lisle it becomes Maple Ave. before becoming 55th Street in Downers Grove).
Naperville's Rail connections
The initial rail connection to Chicago was established in 1864. Today, three BNSF Railway tracks run through the northern portion of Naperville, and passenger service is provided by Metra and Amtrak. Illinois Zephyr, California Zephyr, and Southwest Chief are the three Amtrak routes that pass through Naperville. At Wolfs Crossing, a third Metra stop is proposed for the STAR line.
Naperville's Transit service
Pace is contracted to offer shuttle bus service to Metra stations and local lunch service.
In addition, there are bus lines between Naperville, Aurora (serving Westfield Fox Valley Mall), and Wheaton (serving College of DuPage).
Best Airport Near Naperville
Like most areas in this part of Illinois, Chicago OHare Airport is your best bet. Chicago Midway Airport are approximately 45 km and 40 km from Naperville, while the private Naper Aero Club Field (LL-10) is located on the western outskirts of the city. The field is renowned as the Lima Flying Squadron's home.
