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Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is RiverEdge Park?

RiverEdge Park is a regional park, located in the heart of the city. The park connects neighborhoods on both sides of the river and acts as a catalyst and a dynamic public gathering place that unifies Aurora as. The park projects a sophisticated, energetic image for the community, while celebrating the Fox River, promoting redevelopment, recreation, and resource restoration, using innovative design to address community needs. It is situated on land owned by the City of Aurora and Fox Valley Park District and is the result of a partnership among the City, Park District, Seize the Future Development Foundation and other agencies.

Question: Why are we building RiverEdge Park?

RiverEdge Park will be an attraction, not only for recreation and community events, but also to developers and businesses seeking locations that offer their employees an outstanding quality of life. Our successful festival series has expanded beyond the point where it can be comfortably accommodated on downtown streets. RiverEdge Park is a unique venue that will accommodate these dynamic celebrations and serve as a powerful catalyst for investment and continued revitalization of downtown Aurora and the entire city.

Question: How much will it cost to build RiverEdge Park?

The long term investment made in the park will be determined by the combination of funds allocated through all public agencies, the receipt of state, federal, and local grants, and the amount of continuing donor enhancements. The construction costs for the Music Garden portion of the park is estimated to be approximately 12.7 million. The majority of which has been raised through state grants and private donations. The public investment for the construction of the initial park elements within the Music Garden will be determined once bids have been received.

Question: How is it being paid for?

RiverEdge Park will be a joint public/private venture. The main public funding source is the Tax Increment Financing District in which the park is located.The main private funding sources will be grants and donations from individuals and corporations.

Question: Are there donor and sponsorship opportunities?

Yes, please visit the “Donate” section of our website (www.riveredgeparkaurora.org) for additional information, or contact us at (630) 256-INFO.

Question: How long will it take to complete RiverEdge Park? Will it be built all at once? What is the construction time frame?

Construction planning for the “Music Garden” and restoration planning for “Blues Island” has begun. We anticipate breaking ground in the spring of 2011 for these improvements The “Music Garden” will be the first section to be constructed and is anticipated to be completed for the kickoff of the City of Aurora Downtown Alive! concert series in 2013. We are actively seeking donors to support enhancements to the Music Garden, as well as to prepare for construction of the next segments of the park. Development on the west side of the river will commence following the demolition the old Police Station building.

Question: Will the ComEd power lines be moved?

Yes, the ComEd overhead power lines have been buried, those adjacent to both Broadway and the Fox River.

Question: Will I be bothered by noise if I live near the park? Will the traffic noise from Broadway ruin my experience at the park?

The performance venue will include sound protection to e keep noise contained within the park and to minimize any negative impacts to adjacent neighborhoods. The design is planned so as to buffer traffic noise from Broadway so that concert-goers will have a high quality experience.

Question:What are the major amenities of the park?

Major amenities within the park will include the Performance Venue, Indian Creek Environmental Center, and the Bridge Crossing over the Fox River, the Botanic Gardens, the Children’s Play area, and Water Features.

Question: Will there be a playground?

Yes. The children’s playground will be designed to engage children of all ages.

Question: What types of events will occur at the park?

The Park will be a center of activity all year long. Concerts, picnicking, chess games, children’s play, weekend markets, art displays, paddling, nature walks, sledding, ice skating, ice sculpture competitions, and a myriad of other activities will be planned. We also hope the park will be used on a daily, informal and casual basis when visitors are simply seeking a place to enjoy nature.

Question: Will concert events at the performance pavilion be free?

The City’s summer concert series – Downtown Alive! – is anticipated to move to the site in 2013 and some events will be free however; ticketed programming will also be planned.

Question: Will I be able to rent a space in the park for an event?

Yes, there will be meeting and event space available for use by the public and for private rentals.

Question: Is there any possibility of environmental contamination at the site?

At this point, an environmental cleanup plan has been approved for the site by the State of Illinois. Remediation work is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2011 and will be funded by a grant from the State of Illinois. One reason the riverfront has been chosen as a location for the park is our desire to reclaim former industrial lands along this significant, but underappreciated natural resource. The banks of the Fox River have historically been the site of many uses that would not be permitted under current environmental rules. Environmental cleanup is a fact of life for cities that have existed as long as Aurora. We have made a commitment to undertake cleanups in order to redevelop our downtown and return the river and its banks to their pre-industrial condition, while reclaiming the land for public benefit.

Question: How long are the trails surrounding the park? Where do the trails go?

The Fox River Trail extends through RiverEdge Park, along both the east and west banks of the Fox River. The Fox River Trail is a 33-mile system that connects Aurora to Crystal Lake, where it connects with the McHenry County Prairie Trail, continuing north to the Wisconsin border.

Question: What’s the parking plan for the park? Can I get to the park without driving a car?

The Aurora Transportation Center, located directly across Broadway, has 1,000+ spaces available which can be used during non-peak commuter hours. On-street parking, surface lots, and parking garages are available a short distance from the park, in the heart of downtown Aurora., Because of the park’s location in close proximity to the Aurora Transportation Center, rail and bus service are readily available. Bicyclists and pedestrians can comfortably access the park via the Fox River Trail system. Bicycle parking will be provided at RiverEdge Park.

Question: How safe is it to cross Broadway from the Aurora Transportation Center’s parking lot? Will there be a pedestrian bridge over Broadway to the park?

As part of the future phases of construction of the park traffic signal improvements at the existing Aurora Transportation Center entrance will be completed. Improved signalization and accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists will provide for a safe crossing of Broadway at clearly marked and signalized crosswalks. In the interim a pedestrian safety plan will be implemented during events to assist visitors in crossing Broadway. A pedestrian bridge over Broadway is not planned at this time.

Question: What will the park look like, and when will it be constructed?

The aesthetic of the park will be “natural with a modern edge”, incorporating materials such as wood, natural stone, steel, and glass. Construction on the park is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2011.

Question: What will be the capacity of the new music venue?

At full build-out the overall seating capacity of the venue will be between 4,500 and 9,500. The seating will consist of a hard surface area at the front of the stage for modular seating directly in front of the stage, a lawn area and a rooftop viewing area above the guest services building.

Question: How much seating will be available in the modular seating area?

The modular seating area, depending on the seating configuration, will have a capacity of between 3,200 to 5,000. With a combination of seats, benches or picnic tables, approximately 2,000 people in bench seating plus an additional 1,200 in chairs or 1,800 at picnic tables. Standing room only would be a total of 4,400 to 5,000.

Question: How much seating will be available in the rooftop viewing area?

The roof top viewing area is partially covered and will have, depending on the seating configuration, a capacity of 180 to 420 with 2 bathrooms (1m/1w). Approximately 180 people at round tables. Standing room only would be a total of 300.

Question: How much seating will be available in the lawn area?

The lawn area will have a capacity between 1,200 to 4,000. The lawn can accommodate approximately 1,200 people in casual picnic seating or 4,000 people standing room only.

Question: I’ve heard Downtown Alive! will be moved to the new park. When will that happen?

Yes, Downtown Alive! is anticipated to move to the site before the end of the 2013 season. The park will be open to the public on a daily basis all year round and available for outside reservations and programming when not in use by the City. The goal is to have the park programmed from sun up to 11pm all year round. In order to fully program the park it will require partnerships with many local entities, neighborhood groups and organizations. In the BEGINNING the City would be looking at an annual programming calendar of at least: 4 to 6 free music based Downtown Alive events, 1 to 3 special music events (where all or a portion of the seating area would be reserved for ticket holders and the lawn seats would be free), 1 to 3 festival events, 12 Saturday morning farmers markets, 2 Saturday morning French markets and one city-wide fireworks event on July 4th. Additional City events would be added in subsequent years based on need and funding. The City fully anticipates additional programming opportunities with other outside agencies including the Paramount Arts Center, the Fox Valley Park District, school districts, and many others.

Q: What will be in the Guest Services Building?

The first level of the building will include permanent restroom facilities to serve a crowd of approximately 3,600 people (9m/14w). This building will also house the second floor roof top viewing area mentioned previously and includes the required toilet fixtures to serve the rooftop capacity. There are permanent restroom facilities in this building to accommodate seated events, markets and larger rooftop events. This building also houses one permanent food vending area and one a separate beverage vending area. A small box office/office space will also be located in the building.

Question: Are there sufficient restrooms planned for the Music Garden?

There are permanent restroom facilities in the Guest Services Building to accommodate seated events, markets and larger rooftop events. The park grounds surrounding the venue will include temporary port-o-potty pads and temporary vendor set-ups to serve larger capacity crowds to a comfortable maximum of 10,000 to 15,000 people.

Question: What will be in the Stage Building?

The stage building includes a dock area, manager’s office, bathrooms, green room, dressing rooms, storage room as well as crawl space storage area under the stage. A two story spot/sound mix tower located 100 feet in front of the house, and at the direct center of the stage. The stage structure is capable of hanging or stacking sound speakers, as well as a two video screens for the best patron experience. Additional sound/video locations may be placed on the back of spot/sound mix tower, on the south elevation of the Guest Services building and at the back of the lawn seating area to extend the viewing experience to those in the rear of the venue. There are locations throughout the park which can be set up with temporary secondary stages for multiple acts.

Question: Are there plans for a bridge to access Blues Island?

No. We are restoring Blues Island so that it functions as a mid-river nature sanctuary, and hence will be protected from human activity.

Question: When will the pedestrian bridge spanning the Fox River be completed?

We are actively seeking donor funding support for the construction of the bridge. We have already received funding for a portion of the construction from the Kane County Forest Preserve and are seeking grants to fund the engineering.

Question: Who will patrol the park?

The Aurora Police Department will maintain park security.

Question: Will the geese be controlled?

The site and landscape is designed to deter Canada geese, through the use of native plant materials and other site design techniques and elements.

Question: There are a few buildings along Broadway. Will those remain or will they become part of the park?

The Master Plan for the park encompasses the entire stretch along Broadway. All property necessary for planned 2011 construction and to move Downtown Alive to the site is currently owned by the City of Aurora.

Question: Will I be able to travel to the park in my kayak or canoe?

Yes. The park is meant to embrace the river, and offer access to recreational opportunities on the river. There will be outcroppings to accommodate paddlers in the Music Garden and enhanced accommodations for watercraft have been identified for Veteran’s Island.

Question: Can I bring my dog to RiverEdge Park?

All dogs must be restrained by a leash not longer than six feet. Visitors must clean up after their pets; failure to do so will result in fines or tickets being issued. Dogs will not be allowed within the festival area during events unless otherwise stated.

Question: How is the RiverEdge Park using “green technology?”

In the design of RiverEdge Park, environmental sustainability principles have been developed that will begin to be implemented throughout the City of Aurora, where projects may become “RiverEdge Park Certified” indicating a high-level of environmental sustainability. Please continue to check back for updates as this program is implemented.

Question: Who do we call for more information?

Call (630) 256-INFO (4636) or email REP@aurora-il.org