" i like being outdoors"

For Zack Sharpe it's the " nature" of his walk that motivates his daily exercise routine..

" You don't really look at the buildings you watch the water and how it flows and you just get more in tune with nature"says Zack

and if some city leaders have their way..Zack's walking path could get a lot longer. Right now it's up to the Rockford Planning and Development Committee to decide whether they will present a lease to the city council ..that will help fund the kick-off to a proposed River Walk in down town Rockford.. but aldermen say they won't pave the way...without having some idea of the cost from city leaders

"I do not even have an estimate currently but it is not uncommon that these are multi- million dollar projects and we would expect those to be in that general area" says Capitol Program Manager Patrick Zuroske

The city is discussing renovating the current bike path... behind the National City building on Wyman and West state street.It was originally meant to be a river-walk in the 1970s and now they're starting pavement for one in 2009..

" It gives us the opportunity for additional development in the downtown area and over all just gives our city something to be proud of" says Zuroske

...the River Walk would wrap around the Burpee museum park.. to behind the national city building... which the the city says will make local business more visible ...but until a final cost is approved.. it's the path.. that will be coming up short...