Project Overview

Keith Creek is a two-branch creek that begins in western Boone County and flows southwest through Rockford converging with the Rock River near Morgan Street. The creek travels through natural areas, parks, urban neighborhoods, and channelized routes for 20 miles, predominantly within the Rockford city limits.

The Keith Creek Corridor faces several challenges, including severe and persistent flooding, poor water quality, mobility and transportation barriers, commercial vacancies, underutilized properties, and lack of community access to the creek.

The Keith Creek Corridor Study creates a framework for improvements and development throughout the Keith Creek watershed. The recommendations throughout the study aim to increase corridor resiliency, mitigate flooding, improve equitable access to alternative transportation, highlight a unique natural resource, and support economic development. The study helps guide a network of decision-makers and organizations as they work toward improving the conditions of Keith Creek and the surrounding areas.

Opportunity Sites

The four opportunity sites below indicate the greatest potential to generate holistic community benefits within the Keith Creek Corridor. These sites have been impacted the most by flood damage, and their redevelopment offers the most effective flood mitigation. The redevelopment of these sites will likely spur additional investment, enhance mobility, and improve access to the creek.

Churchill Park

The Churchill Park Site, which is located within the Keith Creek floodway, spans from 9th Street to the west to 18th Street to the east. The site currently sits vacant, aside from the sports fields located to the east of the site. The site concept includes flood mitigation management techniques, such as permeable surfaces, native plantings, a widened and naturalized creek bed, and flood-resilient materials. The site concept also includes:

  • A community hub with multiple gathering nodes, walking paths, seating areas, education kiosks, art, and picnic and performance lawns;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on existing bridges located at 11th Street, 15th Street, and 18th Street, as well as new pedestrian sidewalks along the entire perimeter of the green space;
  • A multi-use bike and pedestrian path on the north side of the creek, providing a safe route through the site with overlook points and seating pockets; and
  • Naturalization of the creek channel, reducing stream velocity and supporting a diverse aquatic habitat.
Existing Conditions Vision

Charles & 18th

The properties east of 18th Street between Charles Street and 7th Avenue consist of a mix of land uses. The concept for Charles & 18th depicts how this site could provide more green space and improve the quality and access of the creek. This concept includes an overlook that links to the neighborhood, expanded native planting areas, and an alignment for the multi-use path on the south side. Other improvements include:

  • A more consistent and walkable street frontage and economic development opportunities along Charles St, several gathering nodes along the creek, and a large swath of native plantings;
  • Stormwater management techniques, including permeable surfaces, native plantings, and a widened naturalized creek bed;
  • The construction of a multi-use path along the perimeter of the naturalized landscape; and
  • A naturalized connection with the Churchill Park reach of Keith Creek, including native prairie vegetation to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics.
Existing Conditions Vision

FIGURE KEY: A: Naturalized Creek Channel, B: Multi-use path, C: Overlook, D: Restored native plants, E: Multi-family or commercial buildings.

Charles & 22nd

Keith Creek is highly channelized through this site, situated between the McDonald’s and Schnuck’s parking lots and two vehicular drives that span over the creek. Here the flow of water is restricted, leading to parking lot flooding and unsafe conditions. The concept removes both culverts that connect the two parking lots, eliminating the impediments to the flow of the creek. The concept relocates the southern access drive from 22nd St to the north and expands the western culvert flowing under Charles St. The site concept also includes:

  • Improved community access to the greenway trail and Twin Sister Hills Park;
  • Reduce stormwater flow, improving flooding conditions on the site and further downstream;
  • Infrastructural improvements, including culvert and bridge removals and parking reduction and reconfiguration;
  • A pedestrian bridge, multi-use path, and enhanced street crossing to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists; and
  • Increase the naturalization of channel structure, providing better aquatic habitat, reduced erosion, and improved absorption ability of low and moderate flood flows.
Existing Conditions Vision

FIGURE KEY: A: Naturalized Creek Channel, B: Multi-use path, C: Pedestrian bridge, D: Restored native plants, E: Removed bridges/culverts, F: Replaced/expanded culvert.

Alpine Hills

The Alpine Hills site currently consists of a largely vacant strip shopping center with a large parking lot. The property is almost entirely impermeable surface, all draining directly into Keith Creek, which runs diagonally through the site under the paving in a culvert. The concept for this site considers an alternate approach to redevelopment that balances possible new uses with daylighting the creek and re-establishing a riparian corridor. The creek can be realigned and restored as a feature connecting Alpine Hills Park to the east and the residential neighborhood to the west. This concept includes a potential new park, in addition to new walking paths, a pavilion, gathering spaces, mountain bike trails, a pedestrian bridge, and a multi-use greenway path.

Existing Conditions Vision

FIGURE KEY: A: Naturalized Creek Channel, B: Multi-use path, C: Pedestrian bridge, D: Restored native plants, E: Mountain bike path, F: Gathering gazebo, G: Neighborhood connection.

Recommendations

The following recommendations aim to increase corridor resiliency, mitigate flooding, improve equitable access to alternative transportation, highlight a unique natural resource, and support economic development. They will help guide a network of decision-makers and organizations to improve the conditions of Keith Creek and its surrounding areas.

GOAL: Improve transportation access and equity throughout the Keith Creek corridor by creating safe connections to key commercial nodes, neighborhoods, and recreational and cultural amenities.

Recommendation #1: Improve existing transportation infrastructure to provide immediate access to bike and pedestrian corridor connections.

  • Action 1.1: Apply design features to the route. This consists of signage, lane markings, directional/wayfinding markings, and more.
  • Action 1.2: Incorporate wayfinding signage to inform route users of distance to key destination areas. The signage could incorporate branding elements.
  • Action 1.3: Work with local running and cycling advocacy groups, nonprofits, and neighborhood associations to program the route with events.
  • Action 1.4: Collect ridership data on route users. Conducting bike counts is useful information for pursuing grants and considering additional capital improvements.
  • Action 1.5: Work with the Belle Meade Neighborhood Association to inform residents on route improvements on neighborhood path from Emerson Drive to Alpine Hills Adventure Park.

Recommendation #2: Develop a final greenway that optimizes proximity, connectivity, and accessibility to the creek and a variety of destinations within the Study Area.

  • Action 2.1: Work with the City of Rockford, Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority, and other stakeholders on acquiring and holding properties where it is deemed most suitable to place a greenway route.
  • Action 2.2: Work with the City of Rockford and Rockford Park District on determining capital improvements and funding opportunities for greenway sections running through properties on which they own.
  • Action 2.3: Create City-wide 10-year capital projects that promote the goals and priorities of the greenway corridor.
  • Action 2.4: Create a network of multi-modal paths from the College Ave. roundabout to Alpine Road through Churchill Park and Dahlquist Park.
  • Action 2.5: Ensure future Keith Creek bridge improvements include bike and pedestrian accommodations (The 8th Avenue bridge design should consider this).
  • Action 2.6: Work with business owners to build consensus on route sections where an easement may need to be considered.
  • Action 2.7: Work with the Belle Meade Neighborhood Association to inform residents on route improvements on neighborhood easement from Emerson Drive to Alpine Hills Adventure Park.

GOAL: Developing projects within the Keith Creek watershed that increase interaction with the creek, the resilience of the corridor, and support economic development.

Recommendation #1: Prioritize and develop community gathering spaces that benefit the greater community and that incorporate amenities for people of all ages and abilities.

  • Action 1.1: Develop more detailed plans for the Churchill Park area, which will enhance access to the creek, provide recreational opportunities, and facilitate mobility throughout the area via a Multi-Use Path. Conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis to ensure development benefits outweigh costs.
  • Action 1.2: Work with existing property owners and assist them in implementing privately-owned, site-specific improvements along the creek.
  • Action 1.3: Work with the Land Bank to buy properties along the creek that are within the Property Buy-out Overlay District. Demolish properties and develop as community gathering spaces once consolidated.

Recommendation #2: Incentivize commercial and residential developments that highlight Keith Creek and incorporate creekfacing, publicly accessible elements, such as overlooks, walking paths, and patios.

  • Action 2.1: Review land use regulations around the creek to identify and update municipal code to include land uses that function to de-intensify development near the creek.
  • Action 2.2: Develop regulatory codes to support entitlement incentives.
  • Action 2.3: Ensure incorporation of the Keith Creek Corridor Plan into the City’s in-progress Comprehensive Plan.

Recommendation #3: Encourage the appropriate development of opportunity sites, underutilized sites, and vacant lots.

  • Action 3.1: Identify and acquire underutilized or vacant properties.
  • Action 3.2: Provide incentives for developers to develop or redevelop these sites in accordance with the land use framework.
  • Action 3.3: Consider creating a Keith Creek Corridor Design Guide that outlines best practices for developing within the watershed.

Recommendation #4: Encourage land uses within the floodplain that enhance water quality and natural habitats.

  • Action 4.1: Develop open space which provides pervious surfaces, air filtration, and slows runoff to the creek within the floodplain.
  • Action 4.2: Require creek buffer standards for all communities near the creek.
  • Action 4.3: To the extent possible, avoid placing development, particularly that which includes impervious surfaces, within the floodplain.
  • Action 4.4: New developments should incorporate best management practices for development along the creek corridor.

GOAL: Mitigating flooding by following stormwater best management practices throughout the Keith Creek watershed.

Recommendation #1: Create and implement a Keith Creek Drainage Master Plan.

  • Action 1.1: Engage a qualified engineering firm to carry out the creation of a Keith Creek Drainage Master Plan.
  • Action 1.2: Utilize completed plan to acquire grant funding, which can be used for property buyouts and other plan recommendations.

Recommendation #2: Begin an existing creek inspection and corridor maintenance program.

  • Action 2.1: Hire dedicated creek inspection and maintenance staff. At a minimum, hire a creek inspection lead that is familiar with stormwater best management practices and who can work with existing City staff and maintenance personnel.
  • Action 2.2: Create an inspection and maintenance program that can be referenced by maintenance staff.

Recommendation #3: Create a Keith Creek Watershed Development District.

  • Action 3.1: Determine Watershed Development District boundaries. Ideally these will be indentified in a Keith Creek Drainage Master Plan.
  • Action 3.2: Create development guidelines and management standards for developments inside the district boundaries.
  • Action 3.3: Require developers to abide by Watershed Development District standards.

Recommendation #4: Create a gradual property buyout district. Periodically reassess the Keith Creek floodplain boundaries.

  • Action 4.1: Coordinate with the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority to purchase properties as they become available.
  • Action 4.2: Periodically reassess floodway boundaries and reduce the size of the buyout district, as necessary.

GOAL: Improving infrastructure and utilities to align with the concepts and visions set forth in this plan.

Recommendation #1: Improve the existing sewer utility infrastructure along the corridor.

  • Action 1.1: Collaborate with Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) to replace and relocate the sewer interceptors along the Churchill Park from 9th Street to 18th Street. Locate the new sewer along 7th avenue.
  • Action 1.2: Collaborate with Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) to replace or rehabilitate the sewer interceptors along creek in Alpine Park.
  • Action 1.3: Ensure the future sewer receptor improvements and replacements maintain or improve access to Keith Creek.

Recommendation #2: Provide future water and sewer service expansion.

  • Action 2.1: Work with township residents to plan and place sewer and water service within Township parcels.

Recommendation #3: Provide fiber connection and reliability throughout the greenway corridor.

  • Action 3.1: Work with SiFi Networks to provide high-speed internet and fiber-optic service along the greenway corridor for WiFi connections.
  • Action 3.2: Install video surveillance at community parks along the greenway for improved safety.

GOAL: Ensuring that all community members, regardless of race, income, age, and ability, have equal access to a safe, healthy, and vibrant living environment.

Recommendation #1: Focus the development of catalytic, community-serving projects within Community Development Block Grant-eligible areas (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion areas).

These areas have the highest concentrations of vulnerable populations. Projects and other key interventions will have the greatest impact and will serve those who need it most if developed in this focus area.

  • Action 1.1: Continue to engage with underserved community groups to better understand their needs and priorities. Consider an ongoing engagement platform that allows for a steady line of communication between community groups and government agencies.
  • Action 1.2: Identify development grant funding opportunities that target underserved populations.

Recommendation #2: Consider implementing a Neighborhood Navigators program as a grassroots initiative, represented by underserved communities.

A Neighborhood Navigators program is a grassroots program for neighbors to engage with and help one another. ‘Navigators’ are directly connected to several community resource agencies and are ready to assist neighbors with making connections to these resources. They also engage their neighbors in conversations about the community and its resources.

  • Action 2.1: Develop a City-funded and managed Community Navigators program that employs community leaders.
  • Action 2.2: Provide technical and educational support to Navigators to better connect leaders and community members to resource agencies.
  • Action 2.3: Build community capacity to allow Navigators to represent underserved communities on City commissions and working groups.
  • Action 2.4: Assist high-risk neighborhoods in preparing for and recovering from natural disasters (floods).

GOAL: Create an identity for the greenway while offering meaningful, engaging experiences along the way.

Recommendation #1: Develop a graphic logo, colorway, and branding standards for the greenway that are recognizable City and region-wide.

  • Action 1.1: Develop a focus group comprised of local residents and stakeholders in order to develop themes and integrate local culture into the branding.
  • Action 1.2: Integrate design standards into elements along the greenway; informational and directional signage, banners, trash cans, trails, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
  • Action 1.3: Create trailheads and gateways that reinforce the brand of the creek and act as key gathering areas.
  • Action 1.4: Incorporate branded wayfinding signage to inform greenway users of distance to key destination areas.

Recommendation #2: Develop an education campaign to promote public knowledge of the watershed, the greenway, and its components.

  • Action 2.1: Coordinate with schools and non-profits serving children in the watershed for hands-on field trips and curriculum integration with water and nature-related subject matter.
  • Action 2.2: Identify or build a hub for outdoor education.
  • Action 2.3: Develop signage along the creek that provides information about water as a natural resource as well as the history of the area and its neighborhoods.

Recommendation #3: Provide various means of recreation along the greenway at key nodes.

  • Action 3.1: Enhance existing parks and playgrounds along the greenway.
  • Action 3.2: Encourage outdoor activities by providing equipment rentals at an urban ecology center, or interim location along the greenway.
  • Action 3.3: Build upon the existing and growing mountain biking culture to offer side trails and mountain bike playgrounds.

Recommendation #4: Emphasize public art along the greenway to improve aesthetic quality and align with the Keith Creek branding.

  • Action 4.1: Coordinate infrastructure and recreational improvements to include public art enhancements.
  • Action 4.2: Develop committee to review artists’ submission for mural and sculpture placement and content.
  • Action 4.3: Using identified key nodes, build critical mass of public art.
  • Action 4.4: Paint murals on highly visible exterior walls and vertical faces of the Keith Creek channel walls.
  • Action 4.5: Incorporate regular event programming to bring local kids, novice, and professional artists to the creek to build/maintain momentum.

Recommendation #5: Uplift local artists, makers, and educators from diverse backgrounds.

  • Action 5.1: Engage local artists, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to create artworks, murals, and sculptures.
  • Action 5.2: Work with hired artists to provide community benefits, such as mural painting workshops for local students.
  • Action 5.3: Ensure that curriculums are reviewed and vetted by local educators and are informed by Keith Creek’s history.

GOAL: Improving water quality and habitats within the Keith Creek watershed by reducing stormwater runoff and protecting environmentally sensitive areas.

Recommendation #1: Align with the goals, policies, and recommendations set forth in the Keith Creek Watershed-Based Plan, a concurrent planning effort focused on improving water quality within the Keith Creek Watershed.

  • Action 1.1: Utilize tools such as protection overlay zones, setbacks, open space zoning, conservation easements, and conservation and/or low impact development in municipal comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances to protect environmentally sensitive areas within the Keith Creek corridor.
  • Action 1.2: Utilize tools such as Development Impact Fees, Stormwater Utility Taxes, and Special Service Area (SSA) Taxes to help fund implementation of plan and future management of green infrastructure components where new and redevelopment occurs.
  • Action 1.3: Require developers to protect sensitive natural areas, restore degraded natural areas and streams, and then encourage donation of all natural areas and naturalized stormwater management systems to a public agency or conservation organization for long term management with dedicated funding.
  • Action 1.4: Establish incentives for developers who propose sustainable or innovative approaches to implement the Keith Creek Corridor Study concepts and the Keith Creek Watershed-Based Plan, including priority for preserving green infrastructure and using naturalized stormwater treatment trains.
  • Action 1.5: Encourage green stormwater management practices that clean and infiltrate water in any development or redevelopment.

Recommendation #2: Protect, rehabilitate, and promote the Keith Creek green infrastructure network beyond the specific catalytic sites identified in this plan.

  • Action 2.1: Enhance the Tenth Avenue Park area to provide a more naturalized stream corridor and less mowed turf grass.
  • Action 2.2: Preserve and enhance naturalized areas along the creek in Twin Sister Hills Park and Dahlquist Parks.
  • Action 2.3: Preserve the high-quality ecosystem and stream channel in Aldeen Park.