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The Saint Chares Active River Project continues to build support throughout the community. A recent example is a water quality testing program conducted by students from St. Charles East High School. Led by science instructor Laura Nannini, the environmental club members took water samples from the Fox River within St. Charles city limits for analysis of dissolved oxygen, phosphate and organic content. The purpose of this testing program is to continually monitor water quality in the Fox River as components of the Active River Project are implemented. “The students volunteered to play a significant role in the Active River project,” said John Rabchuk, ARP task Force Chair. “This project is extremely important to the students as it represents an opportunity to create a life style they strongly support while also offering the potential to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.”  The water quality testing program has been supported by the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, the St. Charles East Key Club, the City of St. Charles and the Friends of the Fox River.

Additionally, members of the Active River Task Force have made recent presentations to the Pottawatomie Garden Club, the St. Charles Exchange Club, the St. Charles Noon Rotary Club, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and others finding very enthusiastic response to the current concept plans for the project. “The completion of the engineering feasibility study contracted by the City of St. Charles, the St. Charles Park District and the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles provided the engineering answers to questions expressed by members of the community concerning water levels and other engineering issues. The positive results from this study and the additional definition of the concept plans have brought the entire project into focus for the community. Next month’s official delegation visit to the highly successful Falls Park project in Greenville SC will provide information concerning project costs, financing options, project management and operations, etc. said Rabchuk. The addition of a number of representatives from the St. Charles business community also making the trip to Greenville is another indication of the growing support for Active River within the community. The task force members are available to any community groups to discuss and answer questions concerning the concept plans.”

The St. Charles Active River Task Force is a joint effort of the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles (a 501c3 organization), The St. Charles Park District, the City of St. Charles and the Kane County Forest Preserve.

The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles supports and advocates for projects that will enhance the downtown riverfront environment as a destination for cultural, educational, recreational, and economic opportunities that are accessible to all.