Row Boats for Recreation in Public Parks

Row Boats for Recreation in Public Parks

At 1 a.m. on a chilly Friday, two daring men, Wally Werderich and Mike Kies, dropped anchor in Ottawa, not your typical tourists but adventurers who embarked on a grueling 188-mile journey down the Fox River from Wisconsin.

They were taking part in a unique challenge: the Paddle for Parks: Fabulous Fox National Water Trail Challenge. In an impassioned conversation with Starved Rock Media's Rod Thorson, Werderich revealed that the ambitious endeavor was Mike Kies' brainchild, aiming to rouse funds for Illinois Parks & Recreation Foundation scholarships, instilling a sense of park and recreation stewardship in the youth of tomorrow.

Forty-three hours and fifty-nine minutes later, their kayak splashed into Wisconsin waters, with the arduous expedition culminating on a windswept shore on Wednesday. The duo had spent a year meticulously planning their aquatic odyssey, eventually scheduling it for May due to the Fox River's usual high water levels during this season.

However, the seemingly perfect timing proved to be a damp squib with a dry winter and meager April rains leading to unusually low river levels. Yet, fate showed mercy, and a downpour greeted them the moment they set sail.

Navigating through the Fox River's thirteen dams, they remained steadfast. The first dam they tackled lay in McHenry, a testament to their unwavering determination.

You can support their noble cause by donating on the Paddle for Parks: Fabulous Fox National Water Trail Challenge Facebook Page.

To delve deeper into Werderich and Thorson's stirring dialogue, tune into the Rod Rewind Playlist on Starved Rock Media's YouTube Channel.

The legendary Fox River, a serene waterway dotted with picturesque launch points like the Geneva Boat Launch and final destination Fabyan Forest Preserve[2], played host to this remarkable adventure. The Paddle for Parks event, though associated with the Fabulous Fox National Water Trail[1], seems to be a more personal initiative taken up by Werderich and Kies, with specific details scant within our search findings. For more specific information, you may need to rely on local event calendars or contact the organizers directly.

1. The journey down the Fox River was part of the Paddle for Parks: Fabulous Fox National Water Trail Challenge, a unique event initiated by Mike Kies, aiming to raise funds for scholarships from the Illinois Parks & Recreation Foundation.
2. Werderich and Kies, despite facing unusually low river levels due to a dry winter and meager April rains, bravely navigated through thirteen dams on the Fox River, showcasing their unwavering determination.
3. Despite the Paddle for Parks event being associated with the Fabulous Fox National Water Trail, it appears to be a more personal initiative taken up by Werderich and Kies, with specific details about the event being hard to find.
4. In order to support their noble cause, donations can be made on the Paddle for Parks: Fabulous Fox National Water Trail Challenge Facebook Page, or for more insights into their adventure, tune into the Rod Rewind Playlist on Starved Rock Media's YouTube Channel.

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