Judy White takes Willow (right) and Maddie for a walk through Gateway Plaza, a stretch of the riverfront along Wallace Street that the city is developing into a park. White enjoys the quiet of park at Wallace and Avenue B in Sterling, a 20-acre site that has 10 acres of prairie land and nearly 4,000 feet of pathways, plus swings.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Judy White takes Willow (right) and Maddie for a walk through Gateway Plaza, a stretch of the riverfront along Wallace Street that the city is developing into a park. White enjoys the quiet of park at Wallace and Avenue B in Sterling, a 20-acre site that has 10 acres of prairie land and nearly 4,000 feet of pathways, plus swings.
Maddie and Willow stop for a a sniff.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Maddie and Willow stop for a a sniff.
The flora and fauna of Gateway Park are its true stars.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The flora and fauna of Gateway Park are its true stars.
Bees search for pollen and nectar in a bed of black-eyed Susans.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Bees search for pollen and nectar in a bed of black-eyed Susans.
A monarch takes flight.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
A monarch takes flight.
The goal of Gateway's prairie plantings to make the land resemble what it did centuries ago, before the factories arrived, and, with the use of informational signage, make the park an educational area.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The goal of Gateway's prairie plantings to make the land resemble what it did centuries ago, before the factories arrived, and, with the use of informational signage, make the park an educational area.
The park is flush with color this time of year.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The park is flush with color this time of year.
Coneflowers reach up toward the deep blue sky. The natural prairie area is home to countless plants and insects.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Coneflowers reach up toward the deep blue sky. The natural prairie area is home to countless plants and insects.
The park is blooming with black-eyed Susans ...
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
The park is blooming with black-eyed Susans ...
... blanket flowers ...
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
... blanket flowers ...
... blazing stars ...
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
... blazing stars ...
... primroses ...
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
... primroses ...
... more coneflowers ...
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
... more coneflowers ...
... butterfly weed and clover ...
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
... butterfly weed and clover ...
... and whatever this beauty is ... Verbena? That doesn't seem right. Hydrangea? Learning about the flowers is part of the joy of the park.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
... and whatever this beauty is ... Verbena? That doesn't seem right. Hydrangea? Learning about the flowers is part of the joy of the park.
An area at near the west edge of Gateway Plaza has a rocky drainage spot for a small pond.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
An area at near the west edge of Gateway Plaza has a rocky drainage spot for a small pond.
Boaters and fishermen go about their business on the Rock.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Boaters and fishermen go about their business on the Rock.
A turtle pokes its head up from the river.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
A turtle pokes its head up from the river.
A pelican takes flight near the lower dam. Wildlife lovers will enjoy the park greatly.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
A pelican takes flight near the lower dam. Wildlife lovers will enjoy the park greatly.
A groundhog explores the area just off the paved path. A concrete walking path winds through most of the park, but there are some areas of rocky ground.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
A groundhog explores the area just off the paved path. A concrete walking path winds through most of the park, but there are some areas of rocky ground.
Views on the east side of the park take in the Lower Dam and the Rock Falls riverfront.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Views on the east side of the park take in the Lower Dam and the Rock Falls riverfront.
Railroad fans will enjoy the nearby track.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Railroad fans will enjoy the nearby track.

Judy White takes Willow (right) and Maddie for a walk through Gateway Plaza, a stretch of the riverfront along Wallace Street that the city is developing into a park. White enjoys the quiet of park at Wallace and Avenue B in Sterling, a 20-acre site that has 10 acres of prairie land and nearly 4,000 feet of pathways, plus swings.

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Whiteside County