Community Corner

May 20: Eatery, Paddleboats, Thrift Store Open

Five things every Naperville resident should know.

Riverwalk Eatery, Paddleboats Opening

The announced that the Riverwalk Eatery and the paddleboats are opening this weekend.

The park district has taken over operation of the eatery and a variety of menu items will be available including: sandwiches and salads, nachos, popcorn, chips and salsa, soft pretzels, ice cream, polar ice and shaved ice treats, Cold Stone cupcakes, fruit, and candy. A variety of drinks are also available, including fountain drinks, bottled water, Gatorade, juice, and coffee. The menu will be more limited until Centennial Beach opens, according to the park district.

For now the eatery and paddleboats will only be open on the weekends through Memorial Day, according to the Naperville Park District. The weekend hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the Eatery and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the paddleboats through mid-August.

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If you’d like to take a paddleboat ride, the cost is $8/boat for a 20-minute ride and $10/boat for a 40-minute ride.

North Central College to Improve Riverwalk

announced on Wednesday that it is Partnering with the Naperville Riverwalk Commission and Naperville Riverwalk Foundation on a number of campus and Riverwalk improvements.

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According to the college, the project will enhance the College’s Riverwalk Gateway, creating a landscaped pathway along the east bank of the West Branch of the DuPage River next to Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The project will include installing brick pillars designating the area as an entrance to North Central College near Fredenhagen Park.

“The Riverwalk Gateway improvements will create a seamless entryway to campus,” Rick Spencer, North Central College’s vice president for institutional advancement said in a news release. “People who enjoy the Riverwalk will be able to see the downtown’s connection to the College and continue walking on through the campus.”

A second phase of the project will make it easier for walkers and runners to access the campus’ Sesquicentennial Walkway, a north-south pathway between Brainard and Loomis streets that extends from just north of Chicago Avenue to Benton Avenue.

Savers Opens in Naperville

Savers, a chain of more than 270 thrift stores nationwide, opened its second Illinois location in Naperville. The store will offer shoppers a wide-variety of items from clothing to household goods, electronics to furniture.

According to Savers, it pays the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago for every donated item received, turning otherwise unused goods into sustainable revenue that supports the Foundation’s programs and services in the local community.

The grand opening celebration will continue through Saturday and offer shoppers the chance to win one of five $100 Savers gift certificates. The location is at 204 South Route 59. The store will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call the store at 630-778-8967 or visit www.savers.com

Freedom Commons Summer Market expands 

Last summer Freedom Commons partnered with We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center to provide a place for the nonprofit to sell plants and flowers.

The response was so positive and successful that the program was expanded and will include: We Grow Dreams Greenhouse, , ,  and Juice/Misericordia Heart of Mercy and  Interact/Naperville Sunrise Rotary will raise funds through retail sales at the market every Saturday. The market  is held on the patios of Freedom Commons, at the northern gateway to Naperville.

The summer market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weather permitting from May 14-October. Nonprofit organizations display and sell items at no charge.

Freedom commons is located on the north side of Naperville, located at the I-88 exit and Diehl Road. Freedom Commons has a number of restaurants and businesses including , , ’s and

Library of Congress to Archive  Civil War Days Website

The U.S. Library of Congress has chosen the Naper Settlement’s Civil War Days website for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials related to the American Civil War Sesquicentennial, according to a news release from the .

The Library of Congress Web Archives contribute to the historical record, capturing information that could otherwise be lost, the news release said.

“We are honored that the Library of Congress selected Naper Settlement’s website for inclusion in our nation’s archives,” Vice President of Museum Services Debbie Grinnell said in the news release. “We preserve our community’s history for future generations and this offers us a national spotlight for our preservation and education efforts.”


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