A cooperative effort of the City of St. Charles, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, and the St. Charles Park District, the River Corridor Foundation oversees the management and fulfillment of the River Corridor Project.

Initiated in 2002, the River Corridor Master Plan was the end result of extensive public discussion and input from residents, civic groups, business leaders and government participants, who articulated an exciting strategy for the redevelopment of the Fox River corridor in downtown St. Charles.

With the Fox River as its focus, the River Corridor’s mission is to create a lively downtown riverfront environment — a community centerpiece — where residents and visitors can live, work, shop, dine, and play.

The project is an ambitious one: "to create a lively, downtown riverfront environment that becomes the centerpiece of the community within the next 20 years." But the opportunity it presents for the City of St. Charles—its residents and visitors, businesses and schools, churches and civic group—is clear and compelling. In order to make the river corridor the place to live, work, shop, dine, and play, we must begin somewhere.

Because of its magnitude and complexity, implementing this program will be challenging. To start the project rolling, the three governing agencies—the City of St. Charles, the St. Charles Park District, and the Downtown St. Charles Partnership—equally provided initial funding. In the spring of 2003, the River Corridor Plan was presented to meetings of potential donors, and so much enthusiasm and excitement was generated that more than $110,000 was pledged on the spot.

Subsequently, The River Corridor Foundation was established as a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization, and now oversees fundraising efforts to keep the momentum going. The response to the project has been overwhelming. From donations of time, talent and materials to complete the initial River North Gateway project, Kane County Forest Preserve and kane County Grants to complete the Bob Leonard Walkway. Funding from IDNR and St. Charles Canoe Club to complete the Frank Gorham Canoe Launch, and contributors, participants, volunteers supporting the various fundraisers, the community has embraced the River Corridor Project with open arms.

Won’t you join us in helping make the dream of the River Corridor Project a reality? No donation is too small, and all contributions are appreciated. Contact us to learn how you can help