Studio GWA and Lakota Group will lead a bike tour (approximately 8 miles) of Keith Creek, primarily through the urban reaches of the creek. With stops along the way, the tour will address historic flooding issues, stream alterations over time, and the current planning efforts. Those efforts include addressing water quality, flooding, and the future of the creek as a greenway corridor that connects neighborhoods, schools, and commercial areas. Ride Illinois is providing additional support for the ride and will be able to provide information about how the Keith Creek plan weaves into the recently completed 10 Year Bike Plan. The plan sponsor is the Region 1 Planning Council, the region’s MPO, and will be available to share perspective on how these efforts fit into the region’s greenway plan and other efforts.
pre-registration is required for all mobile workshop attendees
Please bring:
Bike
Helmet
Water bottle
A limited number of bicycles can be made available if you do not have access to one or a way to transport. Please email Ashley Sarver at asarver@studiogwa.com for details. The deadline to request a bike is 6/22/22.
Speakers:
Ashley Sarver, AICP & Michael Smith, AICP Candidate (Studio GWA) – Local urban planners working on the corridor plan for Keith Creek with long-standing advocacy for the creek and adjacent neighborhoods.
Kevin Clark, AICP & Alexis Stein (Lakota Group) – Project lead for the Keith Creek Corridor Study, guiding the effort to create a cohesive, inspiring, and implementable plan for the community.
David Simmons and Cynthia Hoyle, FAICP (Ride Illinois) – Providing support for the ride and making the connections between the recently completed 10 Year Bicycle Plan and the Keith Creek efforts.
TBD Representative (R1PC) – The region’s MPO and sponsor agency for the plan efforts.
Agenda:
11:00 am – meet at UW-Health Sports Factory parking lot, brief introduction.
11:15 am – depart
1st stop – Seminary/Behr
2nd stop – 8th Avenue & Keith Creek
3rd stop – Patriot’s Gateway/creek at 7th Avenue
Travel via alley between 5th & 6th Avenues
4th stop – 10th Avenue Park
5th stop – Churchill Park
6th stop – Schnuck’s parking lot (via 9th Ave. to 22nd St.)
7th stop – Broadmoor Dr. & goat path into Twin Sisters Park
8th stop – Broadmoor/Oak Knolls into Dahlquist Park
1:15 pm – Lunch/refreshments at own expense at Ernie’s Midtown Pub (mid-way back to start).
2:15-2:30pm – Return back to start (5 min ride)
Locations:
Meeting point: UW-Health Sports Factory parking lot near Ingersoll Centennial Park (near 401 S Madison St, Rockford, IL). Click here for Google Map.
Half-way point: Dahlquist Park, 3251 Oak Grove Ave, Rockford, IL 61108
Lunch stop: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 5th Ave, Rockford, IL 61104
End point: (same as meeting point)
Cost:
FREE for 2022 APA-ISS Spring Conference registrants (registrants, use mobile workshop promo code)
$10 for guests and 2022 APA-ISS Spring Conference non-registrants
Note: Lunch & refreshments are on your own.
Professional Development Credit: CM | 2.5
pre-registration is required for all mobile workshop attendees
There's More Fun to Come!
After sitting in 10 CM credits worth of sessions in May, this summer it will be time to get all planners on the move! We are delighted to offer in-person mobile workshops throughout the summer and fall of 2022. Logistics are being worked through so please stay tuned for details.
June 10, 2022 - Champaign - Urbana, IL - Boneyard Creek & Downtown Urbana Walking Tour - registration is open!
June 24, 2022 - Rockford, IL - Bike Tour - registration is open!
July 22, 2022 - Quincy, IL - Quincy Bay Area Restoration and Downtown Residential Redevelopment Program
TBD - Alton, IL or Mascoutah Mid-America & Boeing
TBD - Metropolis, IL - Planning Charette (tentative)
May 6, 2022 - Peoria, IL - Sankoty Lakes Tour - Done! Read all about it.
If you registered for the 2022 Spring Conference, it included registration at all our mobile workshops. We will just ask that you RSVP for the mobile workshops so we know you're coming. A coupon code for 100% off the mobile workshop was given to you via the conference Eventbrite page and also in subsequent emails. Please note, some mobile workshops may include bike rental, lunch, etc. that will not be covered by registration.
If you do not purchase a 2022 Spring Conference registration but are interested in attending a mobile workshop, the APA-ISS will offer separate registration at a small cost for each mobile workshop.