Breaking ground on the Bloomingdale Trail

On Tuesday, August 27, after a decade of community organizing and input, the Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail and community stakeholders joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and representatives from the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, and The Trust for Public Land at the Milwaukee/Leavitt access park to celebrate the start of construction on the Bloomingdale Trail.

Initially conceived out of the need for more green space in Logan Square, the trail is now much more than a rails-to-trail project. The 606 is a 2.7-mile elevated linear park and trail that will support active lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.

Once complete, it will connect many thousands of people from four neighborhoods (Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park) through an alternative transportation corridor for walking, running and biking.

It’s always impressive what can be achieved through consistent local organizing and advocacy. Congratulations to all the local advocates and leaders for making this amazing project happen. It will beautify our city, but more importantly, it will make active lifestyles more accessible to local Chicagoans.

We can’t wait for The 606 opening day during the fall of 2014. What’s the next Chicago neighborhood transformation we’re eager to see? The new ERA Trail in Englewood? Let’s make it happen!