Although we don’t yet have a phyical building, we’ve already started bringing people to the confluence area to explore the area. We’ve partnered with Rocktown Adventures to offer paddle trips and they’ve been very popular. This year guided trips are planned for June 18, July 23, September 11, October 8.
Our goal at Nature at the Confluence is to be a destination, nature-based, public open space dedicated to making City Center’s historic confluence of the Rock River and Turtle Creek a place of gathering, exploration, recreation, learning, and inspiration for people for all ages and abilities.
Read this article from the Stateline News about how these trips are inspiring people to add paddling to their outdoor activities.
From the Stateline News – Sunday, June 12, 2016
SOUTH BELOIT — Terry Meyers discovered his love for kayaking after participating in several paddle trips organized by Nature at the Confluence.
“After the first couple of trips, I bought my own kayak,” Meyers of Beloit said. “(The paddle trips) are an opportunity if you’re interested in it to rent a kayak. It’s a nice way to get introduced to it.”
Other residents will have the opportunity to discover the art of kayaking, because the Nature at the Confluence will host the Rock River Fur Traders Run from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 18, 2016. The paddle trip will begin at the confluence, located near Dickop Street in South Beloit, and will travel to the Macktown Forest Preserve in Rockton.
The confluence includes the area where the Rock River and Turtle Creek District meet in South Beloit.
“(The trip) follows the route that fur traders used along the Rock River,” said Therese Oldenburg, program coordinator for Nature at the Confluence.
Meyers said the trip allows people to explore the route that fur traders used, and view different types of wildlife.
“It’s a peaceful trip down the river,” Meyers said. “You see a lot of wildlife. You see eagles. You see evidence of beavers. You see blue herons. You see the community from a different view. You would never know the Turtle Creek was in South Beloit. You get to see what it might have been like when the settlers came through. (Paddling) was their mode of transportation and you get to see what it might have been like for them.”
Oldenburg said she hosted several paddle trips last year, which were well attended.
“I ran them last year and people were excited,” Oldenburg said. “This area does not have a lot of places where people can rent a kayak. We had a lot of people come from outside the area. For a lot of people, it was the first time being on a paddle trip.”
Meyers said he learned about the paddle trips through Oldenburg’s Facebook page.
“I’m friends with Therese Oldenburg on Facebook,” Meyers said. “She put information about the paddle trips on her Facebook page, and that was my first contact on it.”
Meyers said, besides participating in the confluence paddle trips, he has gone kayaking in other areas of the state.
“I like to kayak different sections of Turtle Creek. I’ve gone down from Delavan to the confluence in South Beloit. I would like to do some kayaking on the Sugar River,” Meyers said. “There’s several sites throughout the state that I’ve heard people talk about. There’s some other areas that are on my bucket list.”
Meyers said kayaking is an enjoyable activity.
“It’s a relaxing day. You get out on the water, and it’s nice and peaceful,” Meyers said. “You get away from the sounds of traffic. You get to take in the wildlife and hear the call of an eagle. It’s just a nice way to get away from everything. You get to meet new friends and get to form different groups. You get to see people you’ve never met before.”
