Kishwaukee Riverfront Development
The 6.5 mile path originates on the south side of State Street bridge in downtown Belvidere and extends westerly past The Embankment to Doty Park. From Doty Park it crosses the Kishwaukee River to the Burgess Street boat launch and then follows the riverbank to Belvidere Park affording views of the dam, swinging bridge, the mill race and Baltic Mill.
From the west end of Belvidere Park it passes under South Appleton Road bridge to Hickory Bills Island and Canoe Launch facility before crossing the mill race over another pedestrian bridge to Spencer Conservation Area. The path includes a loop around the former race track of the old county fairgrounds including views of the oak grove and picnic shelters which formerly served as county fair exhibit buildings.
The Spencer Path extension was completed in fall of 2006. The new path links from the Belvidere Park District, City of Belvidere and the Boone County Conservation District, providing an essential, non-motorized route for public transportation and recreational uses.
Kishwaukee Riverfront Development Plan
A Glance at our Accomplishment...
- Completed construction of path loop in Belvidere Park with extension along the north bank of river to Burgess Street and along the south bank of the river in Legion Memorial Field
- Completed construction of pedestrian bridge from Burgess Street to Legion Memorial
- Partially Completed acquisition of rights-of-way along the south bank of the river from Legion Memorial Field to Main Street Bridge
- Partially completed construction of path from Legion field easterly to Main Street Bridge
- Completed Acquisition of rights-of-way along the south bank of the Mill Race from Belvidere Park westerly to Spencer Park
- Completed Construction of the path along the south bank on the Mill Race under the north bridge of Stone Quarry to Spencer Park including a pedestrian bridge across the Mill Race to Spencer Park and Cline’s Ford
- Completed the recreation path extension along the south bank of the Kishwaukkee River from Doty Park
- Completed the path extension from the intersection of North Appleton Road and North State Street, north to Central Middle School
- Completed the path extension in Spencer Park. The new path links from the Belvidere Park District, City of Belvidere and the Boone County Conservation District
- The Committee, in cooperation with the Belvidere Park District and local schools raised $5,162 during the 17th Annual Kishwalk. Students in grades three thru five participated in the event, which was held at River Edge Recreation center