City breaks ground on Big Marsh bike park

This past weekend, the Chicago Park District officially broke ground on the Big Marsh bike park, which has been in the works for several years.

This unique project will transform 40 acres of former industrial land into a place for area residents to enjoy open space and recreation on Chicago’s Far South Side. Construction is anticipated to be completed by this coming winter.

Recognizing the need to ensure safe access by bicycle to the new park, Active Trans worked with Slow Roll Chicago, the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, and local advocates to develop the Big Marsh Access Action Plan. This document outlines the biggest barriers to accessing Big Marsh by bike, as well as suggested improvements to make nearby streets more bike-friendly.

The planned 40-acre bike park will make up just one small section of the larger 250-acre Big Marsh site.

Ultimately, the Chicago Park District hopes to develop more natural areas and park spaces at Big Marsh and other nearby sites in the Lake Calumet region.

As these new developments come online, and as the nearby Pullman National Monument draws more visitors to the area, ensuring residents and guests have robust transportation options will be an essential part of the long term success of these new community amenities.

Active Trans will continue to work with local advocates and community partners to ensure our recommendations for improving bike access to Big Marsh and other Lake Calumet sites will be put into place.

Read Active Trans’ Big Marsh Access Action Plan.

This blog is part of Active Tran’s Bike Week Blog Series. Learn more about Chicago Bike Week at activetrans.org/bikeweek.