City of McHenry

In the spring of 2000, the city of McHenry, Illinois, formed a Riverwalk Committee to pursue an interest in a downtown riverfront walk along the Fox River that would connect the primary retail thoroughfares of Green Street and Riverside Drive. Supported by the City Council, the city engaged the landscape architect, who advanced the concept by facilitating lively workshops with community leaders and elected officials.

From this intensive study emerged the Òbig pictureÓ goals for the riverfront: to update the image of McHenry, revitalize the downtown area, re-establish McHenry as the gateway to the Chain-of-Lakes, provide the basis for future redevelopment opportunities and dramatically improve the quality of life for residents of McHenry.

The proposed Master Plan will provide exciting new opportunities to:

• access the entire 4000-foot downtown riverfront

• encourage additional river-based recreation

• stimulate business

• improve the environmental quality of the riverfront

• educate the public about the history and ecology of the Fox River

• redevelop nearby properties

To be implemented over a five to twenty-year period, the plan will result in a stylish riverfront walkway, offering a distinctive focal point for residents and visitors, as well as serving as a significant catalyst for economic development in downtown McHenry.