6 minute read
5,000 REASONS TO SMILE
PROJECT DAFFODIL PLANTS MUCH MORE THAN BULBS
By Allison Bills | Photos provided by the River Corridor Foundation
Everyone needs a reason to smile — and the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles hopes that Project Daffodil will do just that. Initiated by the foundation, Project Daffodil planted 5,000 daffodil bulbs across 23 6-by-18 plots in October. More than 100 people, all socially distanced, volunteered with the intention of bringing a stunning floral display to the beloved Mt. St. Mary Park. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could do something that could really create a floral bouquet for the city come 2021?’” says Laurel Moad, co-chair of Project Daffodil and secretary of the River Corridor Foundation. “What an amazing thing to be able to present to the community and visitors and help us emerge from a horrible year of dealing with COVID-19.” They chose daffodils instead of any other bulb because daffodils are a universal symbol of rejuvenation. “They’re a bit more hearty of a bulb and they’re also a little bit more squirrel-resistant,” Moad adds, laughing. Moad says the flowers will likely fully bloom starting in April and will be visible for around six to eight weeks. Some have already started to peek through as the ground has begun thawing. “These daffodils we planted should have some varying bloom times, so that’ll help the array last a little longer,” Moad says, noting they planted yellow, white and orange daffodils. “I would anticipate early April, but if we have a warm March, it may be earlier.” But they’re not stopping at the 5,000 they planted this year. Project Daffodil hopes to continue planting 5,000 new bulbs every year along the river heading south until they reach 100,000, if possible. “This is a very large signature project for us and it’s a very different kind of project for us,” Moad says. “We hope it’ll give the community 5,000 reasons to smile.”
ON THE Water
You can kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard, all near home
By Hannah Hoffmeister and Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Walking, biking, rollerblading, running: These are all activities done on the Fox River Trail. But have you ever considered kayaking? “It feels like you’ve traveled someplace” out on the river, seeing it from a new perspective, says Karen Townsend-Heidlauf, marketing manager at Mill Race Cyclery. The Geneva bike shop, situated close to the river, offers kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for rentals. The shop is planning short trips for groups to see parts of the river beyond the Tri-Cities; check the website soon for more details. The experience often surprises people with how pretty and quiet it is, says Townsend-Heidlauf. She notes that the water activities fit a broad range of abilities — and might even entice your teenager into some quality family time. Rejoice Cafe, a plant-based restaurant, recently opened inside Mill Race Cyclery, so you can fill up on a healthy meal before or after your trip out on the water. There’s no shortage of water activities available on the Fox. Below you’ll find just a sampling of those options: KAYAK MYAK RENTALS 847-204-1724 www.kayakmyakrentalsllc.com No need for hauling your own equipment with Kayak Myak Rentals. After booking the trip by phone, staff from Kayak Myak Rentals will meet you and your party at your launch site with everything you need, including a life jacket and safety whistle. There are different trips of varying time and distances. Check out the website for details and recommendations.
SM-CL1867636 Wellness Weekend in Downtown St. Charles
September 18 & 19, 2021 Embrace Your Health at Wellness Weekend!
September 18th The Wellness Hub • Body, Mind & Spirit Booths, featuring local Fox
Valley organizations focused on Health & Wellness • Healthy Lifestyle Demonstrations • Family Fun & Activities • Give-Aways • Fox Valley Marathon Children’s Race (3 p.m.) September 19th The Fox Valley Marathon Races • 5K • ½ Marathon • Full Marathon
For Up-to-Date Information visit stcharleschamber.com/wellnessweekend/ Events occuring near Riverside & Illinois Ave, St. Charles
MILL RACE CYCLERY 11 E. State St., Geneva 630-232-2833 • www.millrace.com Take a canoe, kayak or paddleboard ride along the Fox Fiver and escape the bustling bike trails and busy roads to find some respite along the slow, meandering waters. Mill Race Cyclery is not just for those who ride on two, maybe three wheels — you’re missing the kayak and canoe. The cycle shop offers an array of water sport rentals including two-person canoes, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Rentals are available for different amounts of time: hourly (two-hour minimum), daily or weekly. RIVER VIEW MINIATURE GOLF COURSE 8 North Ave., St. Charles 630-584-1028 www.riverviewminigolf.org Find more than a rousing game of putt-putt with boating rentals available at the park district location from mid-May through mid-August. Rent a kayak for the hour, each including a life jacket and paddles. Kayaks launch from the dock in Pottawatomie Park. Rentals must be made in person, but be sure to check the website for details.
YAK SHACK 630-479-8074 www.yakshackonline.com In additional to rentals and trips, Yak Shack offers classes and an online retail store with dry tops and splash jackets as well as accessories. The classes, which build on each other, include an introduction to kayaking that takes participants all the way up to instruction in whitewater kayaking. You can rent canoes, kayaks, tube trackers and more for trips beginning at 10 a.m. Advance reservations are recommended. I’VE GOT MY OWN KAYAK OR CANOE. NOW WHAT? Consider taking a trip that will lead you to one of the downtown spots along the Fox River! Find a put-in or drop-off spot near the Tri-Cities, Aurora, Oswego or Yorkville; whether you’re interested in snagging a beer at Alter Brewing, an ice cream cone at Batavia Creamery or produce at a farmers market, these are all fun, doable options accessible right off the water.
Turn your kayak trip into a day spent along the river — for food and recreation ideas, head to P. 11.
