By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
It’s been a busy and benevolent summer for the Bike Burlington organization.
After installing the new “Park in the Art” bicycle rack at the intersection of East Chestnut and Pine streets this summer, the group is now ready to partner with Music Matters for a new event Sunday – Pedal, Paddle and Play.
With the two groups working together for the fundraiser, Sunday’s event starts at 11 a.m. at Wehmhoff Jucker Park. Bike-riding routes will be available, as well as routes for canoes and kayaks.
The cost is $25 per rider/paddler or $35 per family. There are a number of different routes available for each activity, as well as music at each stop. A limited number of canoes and kayaks will be available to rent.
“We really just want people to come out and enjoy the fresh air and fall colors and so something healthy for their heart and mind,” said Madonna Carr, who heads up Bike Burlington.
There will be a 10-mile round trip up the Fox River to Saller Woods as a canoe and kayak option, and a shorter five-mile round trip as well. The bike routes are five, nine and 15 miles, utilizing Highway W, Highway 36 and the Seven Waters Bike Trail.
There will be a traffic coordinator for those crossing Highway 36 on the bike trail. There will also be music stops at Highway W, Saller Woods and at the end of the 15-mile bike route, where Highway 20 and the Seven Waters Trail meet.
Music is being arranged by Eric Erickson.
“It’s going to be kids of all ages, some of whom have benefits from Music Matters,” Carr said.
At 2 p.m., there will be a concert at the new pavilion at Wehmhoff Jucker Park. Food will be available for purchase.
With Music Matters electing not to do its annual Chocolate Walk this year, the group’s leader, Karen Tolle, indicated that there would be an alternative fundraiser later in the year. This is it.
Thrivent Financial is helping to sponsor the event, and Tippecanoe Rentals has donated kayaks and canoes for the event.
The monetary donation from Thrivent is part of the group’s new “Community Shoreline,” in which a team recommends events to sponsor.
Joyce Nilles of Thrivent said that Music Matters was one of the organizations chosen, and Tolle and Carr were already in the process of planning “Pedal, Paddle and Play.”
Carr said the response to the Bike Burlington group has been positive this summer, including a great number of compliments on the new bike rack.
“I was in the coffee shop and I saw people posing for pictures on it,” Carr said. “And we’re going to do another one for next year.”
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