The Active River Project – Bringing Recreation to the Fox River Corridor

The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles is beginning a new phase aimed to increase recreation possibilities on the Fox River and to make the River Corridor a destination hub.  Over the past months, the Foundation has been evaluating various projects and recreational additions other cities across the country have implemented to make their rivers a recreational and economic center.

One successful example is the addition of a white water rapids course for kayaking in Charles City, Iowa which cost $1.7 million but provided a return of $1 million in its first year.  Other positive outcomes of the rapids course is that the water quality of the river has improved immensely and also, according to fishermen, has the fishing.

In the spring of 2014 the River Corridor Foundation created a committee, which includes members from the City of St. Charles and St. Charles Park District, to develop the Active River Project.  The first step for the Active River Project Committee is to raise the funds needed to hire consultants to study what types of features would work on the Fox River and how much they would cost.  Possibilities being studied for the project  include a white water rapids course for kayaking, floating gardens, elevated bicycle trails, and water parks similar to the crown fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago.

Video done by Rick Brems, River Corridor Foundation Board Member & David Phyfer, Stage Fright Productions