Winter walk along the Root River

One of the great additions to Racine in recent years has been the REC center along the Root River. The center, opened by UW-Parkside's Center for Community Partnerships, created an outpost for local residents to discover and enjoy a river that had largely gone ignored for decades (except by fishermen, who always knew the Root River as one of the best fishing spots in SE Wisconsin).

While the REC is largely enjoyed in warmer months - particularly the kayak and canoe rentals - it's a great starting point for winter adventures, as well. Positioned along the Root River Walkway, the center, located just off of West Sixth Street, is a great place to begin a snowy hike to parts of the Racine that, well, you won't recognize as Racine.

Theresa Ford (above) is an Americorps*VISTA volunteer through UW-Parkside and head of the REC center. She led an animal-tracking hike along the Root River pathway this month as an example of the outdoor opportunities available even on a frigid winter day.

Ford started the hike by noting the Root River is one of the cleanest rivers in SE Wisconsin, and therefore possibly the best suited to become a true environmental jewel not only for Racine, but for the entire region.

Along the way we spotted squirrel, rabbit, dog and deer tracks in the undisturbed snow.

The above photo is titled, "Is this Racine?" The answer is yes! It's one of many scenic views available to the anyone willing to pull on some boots and see a different side of our city. For parents, the trail is a great place to grab a sled and pull the kids along. Cross country skiers and snowshoers would also do well on the trail, which extends past city parks and the Washington Park golf course.

The Root River Pathway extends 4 miles east-to-west beginning at the Main Street Bridge and ending at Colonial Park. The REC is a nice place to connect with the trail because there's free parking, and you have the choice of heading east toward Downtown or west toward the golf course. Both offer nice views.

Even obvious signs of urban life take on a certain charm in the winter.

Theresa walks with Mary McIlvaine, program director for Neighborhood Watch, through a tunnel along the pathway.

One last photo ... graffiti usually isn't worth noting, but this tag seems to have come from a dedicated vegetarian. If only that's all our city gangs did ...

Community sculpture planned for Root River Pathway

Welding Boot Camp students posing with their sculpture that's now
on display at the Workforce Development Center.

Here's a cool example of art imitating life. Or is it life imitating art? I always get that cliche mixed up. Anyway ...

Students in a Gateway welding class worked with artists to create a large sculpture that's now on display at the Racine County Workforce Development Center.

The project came together through UW-Parkside's Center for Community Partnerships. It proved so successful organizers sought permission from the Racine City Council to create a second sculpture to be placed along the Root River Pathway near the REC Center.

The innovative program started with a partnership between the Racine County Workforce Development Center's Welding Boot Camp and UW-Parkside's art department. Students practiced their new welding skills on a large, metal globe that was built around the theme of "Higher Expectations." Along with practical welding skills, students also learned about community art and its impact on community.

Ben Lehner, former head of the REC Center, and Mark Mundl, head of UW-Parkside's Center for Community Partnerships, laid out the program, called "Community Weld," in a letter to the city's Parks Board.

The pilot project made the welding program eligible for Wisconsin Arts Board Funding, which will be used to create the REC Center sculpture. In keeping with an Earth Day theme, organizers hope to incorporate found and recycled objects into the final piece.

The design will be inspired by poems and essays written by Racine Unified fourth-graders who toured the REC Center. The welding class will pull themes from the writings and use them to create a final design.

The City Council's Public Works Committee and the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board approved the concept of the program, which heads to the City Council for final approval tonight. Both committees will approve a final design for the sculpture.

Organizers hope to have the sculpture completed by next April in time for Earth Day.

A New Perspective: Kayaking the Root River

A family out in a canoe rented from the REC.

You haven't seen Racine like this.

My wife and I headed out on the Root River Thursday thanks to the Root River REC Center opened this spring. We rented a tandem kayak - the first hour is free on Thursdays - and paddled upstream to the W. 6th Street bridge.

Geese hanging out along the shoreline.

Throughout the trip, Marie and I kept wondering where we were. Instead of homes and streets, we saw prairie grasses and swallows. Instead of concrete and cars, we saw trees hanging off the shore. It was a real change in perspective.

It's also an important step in reclaiming the Root River from its industrial past. While the river was used as a dump for decades, it's slowly being reclaimed as a natural gem through the heart of the city.

Marie leads the way in our tandem kayak.

The REC was started by a group led by UW-Parkside Professor John Skalbeck, who started a similar center down in Kenosha. Skalbeck received a grant to open the centers, and the board hired Ben Lehner to run the REC this summer.

Interest in the rentals - $7/hour on Fridays and Saturdays - seems to be increasing. About 20 people were waiting for kayaks and canoes when the REC opened at 4 pm on Thursday.

As for skill level, the river is calm and shallow and the kayaks are easy to paddle. We saw young teenagers out on the water in single kayaks having no trouble moving around.

Kayakers along the shore.

One note of caution: You will get wet. If you bring a camera (and you'll want a camera), bring a case or plastic bag to keep it from getting soaked.

All in all, it's worth the effort to checkout the REC. You'll leave with a new perspective of Racine.

A little work still needs to be done on the river ... here's a camper hung up on a bridge.

Memorial Day fun!

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everybody! Here's a few ideas for things to do this weekend:

Weather
Forecast looks OK for the weekend. 65 and sunny on Saturday, thunderstorms Sunday and Monday, but at least the temps may reach the low-70s.

ChocolateFest
Yup, Burlington's annual festival of chocolate (in honor of the city's Nestlé chocolate factory built there in 1966) is going strong. Here's an article on the festival. And one on a nearby boat race and art fair.

Gardening
It's still chilly, but we should be free of any frost warnings. So hit the garden stores, stock up on annuals and get your pots, flower boxes and garden beds planted. Do it Saturday, and you'll have to days of rain to get things nice and settled in!

Memorial Day services
We get Monday off for a reason - to honor our fallen soldiers. Here's a list of area services.

Racine Zoo
Always a fun outing.

Running Club
Take a jog with the Racine Running Club.

Beach
It may be too cold for swimming, but the North Beach Oasis will be open.

Canoe the Root River
You can rent canoes at kayaks through the REC.

Theater
Check out Theatre Schmeatre at the Sixth Street Theatre and Guys and Dolls at the Theatre Guild.

We'll add more as we think of them ... add your own in the comments.