Riverside President Ben Sells celebrates with North Riverside resident James Marousek the opening of a new bike path along First Avenue connecting North Riverside with Riverside Brookfield High School and the Village of Riverside. Marousek had asked Cook County officials to build such a bike path back in 1968, and on March 10, 2017, at 96 years of age, Marousek saw his dream come true as officials cut the ribbon on the new path. President Sells revived the issue of the bike path in 2013, leading to a collaboration spearheaded by County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski that brought together Riverside, North Riverside, District 208, and Brookfield Zoo to make the project a reality.
Joining Marousek at the ribbon cutting were North Riverside Clerk Kathy Ranieri, RBHS Superintendent Kevin Skinkis, District 208 board President Mike Welch, Riverside President Ben Sells, Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski, North Riverside Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr., North Riverside Fire Chief Brian Basek, and North Riverside Recreation Program Coordinator Bryant Rouleau.
