Soon You Can Explore Parts of The Rock River You’ve Never Been to Before

Whitewater kayaking, new recreational paths, performance areas and more are coming to a part of the Rock River never open to the public before.

It almost seems to good to be true. You think you have explored every bit of the Rock River before, but you haven't.

Many, many moons ago there used to be a power plant north of the Morgan Street bridge. It contaminated acres of soil near the east bank of the Rock River. ComEd, according to the Rockford Register Star, has finished cleaning up the contaminated areas.

This, along with new developments in the downtown area, will give access to new areas of the Rock River.

Here is what is in store:

Work has started turning a once 800-foot railroad bridge into a new walking and bike path. It stretches across the Rock River, south of downtown. It will connect Davis Park and the new UW Health Sports Factory.

Recreational paths on both sides of the river will be connected with this bridge. Also, a new path will go through the once contaminated area on the east bank of the Rock River.

Someday, there may even be whitewater kayaking below a former hydroelectric dam near the park.

Davis Park's master plan will include a climbing wall on the Lorden building. A sunning beach, play areas, a pedestrian mall, performance areas, space for food trucks and vendors, a skate park and more are all planned to begin in phases from 2019 to 2024.

I don't know about you, but I think all of these improvements and new areas will just add to the increasing advancements of downtown Rockford.

This is all another reason why we should all be Rockford Proud!