Illinois
Naperville
Naperville Millenium Labyrinth, Riverwalk
Park
(Photo by Charles Hopkins)
When
the Naperville Riverwalk Commission was looking for ways to commemorate
the arrival of the New Millennium, they sought a company that could make
a beautiful space look even better. We are so very grateful that company
was us… it started our labyrinthine path.
The Naperville
Riverwalk, with the labyrinth as its centerpiece, is a multipurpose space
that accommodates seating for large groups – perfect
for community memorial labyrinth walks and public ceremonies.
Community members contributed to the success of the project in several
important ways. Many chose to purchase engraved bricks used to construct
the Millennium Wall. Others volunteered to build the labyrinth containment ring.
Still others donated plantings and helped to landscape the site. However
they chose to contribute to the project, the people of Naperville
had a hand in creating their own landmark for generations to come. (Please
visit the fundraising section of this website.)
Situated in Riverwalk Park at the base of an outdoor amphitheater cradled
by 50-foot pine trees, this labyrinth embodies the spirit of its creator.
More than 1,000 hours of painstaking labor were invested in creating
this replica of the Chartres labyrinth. The labyrinth is 39 feet in diameter
and the path is 12.5 inches wide, extending a total of 750 feet in length.
The exacting detail of the lunations and rosette center was achieved
with
hand-sculpted pieces. In fact, more than 50 percent of the square concrete
pavers were sculpted to fit the intricate design. A 40-foot containment
ring and 3-inch crown facilitate proper drainage. The perfectly smooth
surface allows for easy snow removal and handicapped accessibility.
The park is heavily used, averaging more than 3,000 visitors per day (during
the summer months), many of whom walk the labyrinth. The overwhelming success
of this labyrinth project was the result of extensive fundraising efforts
on behalf of the Riverwalk Commission and many dedicated volunteers.
The superb craftsmanship exemplified by these and many other components
of the Naperville Millennium Labyrinth earned us a First Place in Specialty
Designs by Precast Concrete Pavement Awards in 1999.
Naperville
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
Soon
to be encompassed by a Meditation Garden, this labyrinth features
square center petals, lunations, and path boundaries. The Millennium
Meditation path is 14 inches wide, extending a total of 925 feet
in length. Precision grading ensures proper drainage. The perfectly
smooth surface allows for easy snow removal and handicapped accessibility.
A stylized version of the traditional Chartres labyrinth, the St.
Thomas labyrinth combines the beauty of the original Chartres pattern
with the economy of this trim new design. The pleasing simplicity
of the paths, petals, and lunations makes this stunning labyrinth
a much more affordable option, especially for non-profit organizations
with budget restrictions.
The success of the Millennium Meditation Garden and Labyrinth project
was the result of extensive fundraising efforts on behalf of the
liturgical staff and parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic
Church. (Please view the fundraising section of this website.)
The parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church contributed
to the success of the labyrinth project in several important ways.
Many chose to purchase “Create Your Own Steppingstones” that
line the entryway to the labyrinth. Some chose to make larger contributions
in the way of main entry columns and meditation benches. Others volunteered
to build the labyrinth containment ring. And still others donated
plantings and helped to landscape the site. However they chose to
contribute to the project, the parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle
Catholic Church had a hand in creating their own landmark for generations
to come.
Back to Labyrinth Art map page