Moran: Planned Lake Michigan Shoreline Trail Better a Century Late Than Never

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Moran: Planned Lake Michigan Shoreline Trail Better a Century Late Than Never Moran: Planned Lake Michigan shoreline trail better a century late than never chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-moran-lakefront-trail-plan-st-0420-story.html Dan Moran On a recent blustery April day, the unfortunately meager trail that makes up almost the entirety of Lake County’s non-motorized path along Lake Michigan looked especially lonely. From the Wisconsin state line down to Lake Cook Road, the county is blessed with some 25 miles of waterfront on a Great Lake. And, give or take a relatively short public path here and there at places like the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest and Foss Park in North Chicago, there are roughly five miles of public hiking/biking trails — all of them at Illinois Beach — that can arguably be described as near Lake Michigan. To break that down even more, only about a mile of the Illinois Beach trails is truly close to the shoreline. If you’re among those who have walked or biked it, you know that this trail offers a beautiful view on a summer day with a breeze off the Big Lake — but if you blink, you missed the beauty. By sharp contrast, Chicago’s lakefront is blessed with an 18.5-mile non-motorized path that runs from Ardmore Avenue in Lincoln Park all the way down to 71st Street in Washington Park. According to the Chicago Architecture Center, the trail’s formation dates back to 1963, when Mayor Richard J. Daley looked to establish a lakefront bicycle path. But the roots really go back to the 1909 Plan for Chicago, when Daniel Burnham envisioned an uninterrupted public lakefront. Much of Lake County’s end of Lake Michigan is, of course, reserved for the old- and new- money landowners who built private fortresses on the water, mostly south of what is now Route 137. But from North Chicago up to Wisconsin, there are vast swaths of shoreline wide open for something like Chicago’s lakefront trail. This week’s news that northern lakefront communities along that stretch are looking to build a public trail system is good news indeed, even if it is arriving up to a century late. As reported by the News-Sun’s Emily Coleman, officials in North Chicago, Waukegan, Beach Park, Zion and Winthrop Harbor are teaming with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to draw up a $160,000 plan that will “develop a vision for a trail system in an area 1/3 covering 12 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline,” according to documents posted by Waukegan. “The Partner Communities understand how safe and comfortable walking, bicycling and access to transit along the northern lakeshore will help focus attention on prioritized investment in active transportation, strengthen the area’s green infrastructure and support growth by expanding transportation choices for the area,” states the intergovernmental agreement, which commits each municipality to spend a whopping $3,252 at this point. Eventually, the Partner Communities might have to cough up quite a bit more to make this vision a reality. It will be money well-spent — a legacy investment not just for the locations involved but for the Great Lakes region as a whole. More than 55 years after Chicago started turning its dreams of a public lakefront trail into reality, there can only be one operating thought when it comes to this new Lake Michigan dream: Make it so — and hopefully before another half-century passes. All private property considerations to the south aside, it’s a shame that the 21st century is underway and it’s not possible to ride a bike along the Lake Michigan shore through the currently empty spaces north of Naval Station Great Lakes. Not that there haven’t been efforts here and there. Back in 2015, Waukegan officials informally looked at putting in a bike path on a vacated railroad line that runs about a block west of the lakefront from the city’s southern limits up to Greenwood Avenue. For various reasons — including the concept being tied to a larger lakefront land purchase that fell through — that abandoned line is still sitting there, looking forlorn. We’ll see if the Chicago-based design team Epstein returns to that railroad line as an option for the Waukegan end of this would-be lakefront trail network. It’s a good if not perfect option, running right along the shore of the south lakefront but then ending up on the far side of the harbor area and industrial complex. And, of course, it would take some heavy lifting to get a continuous path that runs along Waukegan Municipal Beach, which sits at the end of the maze-like Sea Horse Drive. But north of Waukegan’s coal plant is mile after uninterrupted mile of Illinois Beach reserves, and beyond that is North Point Marina. The recreational cyclists who flock to the north-south Des Plaines River Trail and Robert McClory Bike Path — both of which could link to a lakeshore trail relatively easily via the North Shore Path — would have another place to dwell. 2/3 It’s also reiterated here that safe non-motorized paths aren’t just for weekend warriors — the working-class population is among those who use their bikes and feet to get around rather than using a car Beach Park Village Administrator Jon Kindseth told the News-Sun this week that another component being looked at with the overall plan is to install sidewalks that would run along Sheridan Road just to the west of the lakefront. Currently, pedestrians live a dangerous existence, carving out rough paths along the shoulder. danmoran@tribpub.com 3/3.
Recommended publications
  • The Backbone of the Lakefront Trail
    A new elevated pathway provides safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists near one of the Windy City’s premier tourist destinations. The BACKBONE of the Lakefront BY Trail JOHANN F. AAKRE, S.E., P.E., AND JANET ATTARIAN Photos: © 2015 Trey Cambern, courtesy HNTB CHICAGO’S LAKEFRONT TRAIL is a popular cycling, Lake Shore Drive bridge. Construction of the supporting steel walking and running venue for residents and tourists alike. superstructure for phase 1 is now finished as the $27.9 million The 1,750-ft-long, $60 million “Navy Pier Flyover” now first segment nears completion. under construction as part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “Build- ing a New Chicago” program will eventually relieve congestion Eliminating a Bottleneck along the most heavily used section of the 18.5-mile trail. With 60,000 users traversing this segment of the Lakefront Site constraints and limited clearances created by a park- Trail during peak use, in the late 1990s the Chicago Department ing garage, a residential high-rise, local streets, highway access of Transportation (CDOT) began looking at ways to alleviate ramps and several parks, a serpentine alignment was essentially the bottleneck created when trail users crossed paths with pedes- the only option for the grade-separated pathway. Aesthetics trians on city streets, local vehicle traffic and highway entrance were equally as important as functionality because the flyover ramps. All of this congestion, combined with missing or deterio- will be visible from every angle in a highly visible part of the rated pavement markings, lack of way-finding signage and poor city.
    [Show full text]
  • Friends of the Lakefront Trail: Public Engagement Report
    Friends of the Lakefront Trail: Public Engagement Report May, 2013 THE CASE FOR CHICAGO’S LAKEFRONT TRAIL... Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is the busiest trail in the United States, with peak daily usage reaching 30,000 people at key points. The 18-mile trail is maintained by the Chicago Park District. It’s a popular destination for residents and tourists alike, attracting people from across the region for recreation, transportation and athletic training. In order to understand how the trail can better meet the needs of Chicagoans, Friends of the Lakefront Trail facilitated a community outreach process in 2012 to learn what trail users think about their trail experience. This report summarizes the findings and sets forth principles for improving the Lakefront Trail experience. DevelopeD by the FrienDs oF the lakeFront trail 3 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REPORT FRIENDS OF THE LAKEFRONT TRAIL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS About Friends of the Lakefront Trail 6 Lakefront Trail Principals 7 Survey Methodology 9 Profile of Respondents 10 Survey Results 11 Survey Maps 12 Tables??? 28 5 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REPORT ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE Lakefront Trail Friends of the Lakefront Trail is an initiative of the Active Transportation Alliance in partnership with Friends of the Parks and the Chicago Area Runners Association, representing the interests of Lakefront Trail users and advocating to improve conditions for recreation and transportation on the trail. active transportation alliance The Active Transportation Alliance (Active Trans) is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel.
    [Show full text]
  • A Look Back on Eight Years of Progress
    MOVING CHICAGO FORWARD: A LOOK BACK ON EIGHT YEARS OF PROGRESS MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL MOVING CHICAGO FORWARD • A LOOK BACK ON EIGHT YEARS OF PROGRESS LETTER FROM THE MAYOR May 2, 2019 Dear Fellow Chicagoans, It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of this great city as mayor for eight years. Together, we have addressed longstanding challenges, overcome old obstacles and confronted new headwinds. At the outset of my administration, Chicago was beset by fiscal, economic and academic crises. Many thought our best days were behind us, and that the ingenuity and ability to rise to meet great challenges that had defined our city for generations was part of our past, but not our future. In response, Chicagoans came together and showed the resolve and resilience that define the character of this great city. Today, Chicago’s fiscal health is stronger than it has been in many years, with a smaller structural deficit, a larger rainy day fund, true and honest accounting of city finances, and dedicated recurring revenues for all four city pension funds. Our economic landscape is dramatically improved, with historic lows in unemployment, the highest level of jobs per-capita in the city in over five decades, and a record amount of corporate relocations and foreign direct investment. Academically, Chicago’s students are raising the bar for success and making our city proud. Every year for the past seven, a new record number of Chicago’s students have graduated high school. More graduates than ever now go to college. Stanford University found CPS students are learning faster than 96 percent of students of all districts in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Up on the 606. Understanding the Use of a New Elevated Pedestrian
    Up on The 606 Understanding the Use of a New Elevated Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail in Chicago, Illinois Paul H. Gobster, Sonya Sachdeva, and Greg Lindsey The 606 is the world’s first multiuse elevated trail, extending for 2.7 mi trail, providing needed recreational opportunities to diverse neigh- (4.35 km) through diverse neighborhoods whose per capita of open borhoods historically underserved by open space. The trail is also space is one of the lowest in Chicago. The trail connects six ground-level intended to serve as a cross-town transportation connection. About parks and is managed for recreation, but it also serves as a cross-town half of the $95 million project funding came through federal Con- transportation connector and was funded partially with transportation gestion Mitigation and Air Quality program dollars, requiring that dollars. Managers sought information about trail use to maintain a safe it be open to bicyclists as well as pedestrians. Other types of non- and harmonious experience for users, to plan operations and mainte- motorized wheeled vehicles are also allowed on the trail as are dogs, nance, and to document the benefits of trail development. The use of making for a diverse mix of user types, social groups, ages, and The 606 was examined during the first 6 months of 2016, and on the experience levels. basis of those results, its use for the entire year was projected. Auto- Given the trail’s popularity, maintaining a safe and harmonious mated traffic monitoring with active infrared counters followed pro- experience for everyone is a major challenge, and use data are criti- cedures in the FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide.
    [Show full text]
  • THE BURNHAM BLOG Urban Planning Touches Every Part of Your
    THE BURNHAM BLOG The Green Legacy – weaving the region into a single Vision & Theme fabric THE BURNHAM BLOG By Patrick T. Reardon on Fri., 08/28/2009 –7:50 am. Urban planning touches About the Logo every part of your day to Third of three day life. Join the Centennial Committee and Staff One of this year’s 20 Green Legacy Projects comes right conversation that is out of the Plan of Chicago. shaping the region for Sponsors the next 100 years. Daniel Burnham and his co-author Edward Bennett wrote Register or Login to comment Newsroom that the entire Lake Michigan shoreline should be parkland, and the Last Four Miles initiative, promoted by SUBSCRIBE VIA RSS News Coverage The Friends of the Parks, wants to complete that vision. Use our RSS Others, such as the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie feed to track Press Releases new blog posts. (below), fit easily into Burnham’s vision of the sort of wild open spaces where residents of the metropolitan ABOUT THIS BLOG E-News & Social Media region can go --- and need to go --- to escape urbanization and find the refreshment and tranquility of This blog is about The Burnham Blog Nature. history, planning and the future. It’s rooted in the recognition that we Get Involved live in a world that is created by plans – and Contact Us by the failure to make plans. [MORE] ABOUT THE AUTHOR Patrick T. Reardon is a Chicagoan, born and bred. He has been writing about the city, its region and planning issues, mainly in the Chicago Tribune, for nearly 40 years.
    [Show full text]
  • ACTIVETRANS UPDATE Trail Connect
    ACTIVETRANS UPDATE Trail Connect Millennium Trail Chicagoland New campaign seeks to connect P Sk r airi ok De Gree regional trail network e ie s T Pl Va ra n a ll Ba il in e y y A es lgonqui T T r ra a Ri n Road il il ve Tr ai r l Tr l ai ai l Sa Tr l Nort t Cr h ver Br anch ee Ri x Tr k ai o T l F ra Lakefr i l e Path ois Prairi o Illin n l ai t r Tr Tr ve IN THIS ISSUE Ri ai go l ica Ch Quick Releases 1 il ra T Public support strong for nal dedicated transit lane on LSD 5 V Ca Bu irgil G M ilma l I& A look into Chicago’s n ai r Trai Tr nh l l Cal-Sag rich bicycling history 6 ail tennia Trail a Tr m er Cen iv Ve What’s happening x R G teran' Fo r e in the region 7 en s w Memo New campaign seeks to ay connect regional trail network 8 r ia l ai l r T T The solution to slow buses r k l ai ee ai l Tr Trail Cr is easier than you think 10 l Old Plank Road Vi orn n Cana Th c Expedia recognized for M e I& n its bike culture 11 ne s il Going car-free in Elgin 12 T ra r T a l i Top ten active transportation a l ci a Existing Trail stories of 2017 13 Gl Funded Trail Gap e se Priority Trail Gap to Close pon u Wa ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE | ACTIVETRANS.ORG | WINTER 2017 – 2018 Keep up with Active Transportation Alliance news and Leave a legacy events at facebook.com/activetrans.
    [Show full text]
  • Proximity and Perceived Safety As Determinants of Urban Trail Use: Findings from a Three-City Study
    Proximity and perceived safety as determinants of urban trail use: findings from a three-city study Author Wolch, Jennifer R, Tatalovich, Zaria, Spruijt-Metz, Donna, Byrne, Jason, Jerrett, Michael, Chou, Chih-Ping, Weaver, Susan, Wang, Lili, Fulton, William, Reynolds, Kim Published 2010 Journal Title Environment and Planning A DOI https://doi.org/10.1068/a41302 Copyright Statement © 2010 Pion Ltd., London. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version. Downloaded from http://hdl.handle.net/10072/33236 Griffith Research Online https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au Environment and Planning A 2010, volume 42, pages 57 ^ 79 doi:10.1068/a41302 Proximity and perceived safety as determinants of urban trail use: findings from a three-city study Jennifer R Wolch College Environmental Design, University of California, Berkeley, 230 Wurster Hall #1820, Berkeley, CA 94720-1820, USA; e-mail: wolch@berkeley.edu Zaria Tatalovich National Institute of Health, Building 6116ö6116 Exec Blvd, 504, Mail Stop: 8315, 6116 Exec Blvd, Rockville, MD 20892, USA; e-mail: tatalovichzp@mail.nih.gov Donna Spruijt-Metz Institute for Prevention Research, Health Sciences Campus, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; e-mail: dmetz@usc.edu Jason Byrne Griffith School of Environment, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia; e-mail: jason.byrne@griffith.edu.au Michael Jerrett School of Public Health, University of California, 50 University Hall #7360, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA; e-mail: jerrett@berkeley.edu Chih-Ping Chou Institute for Prevention Research, Health Sciences Campus, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; e-mail: cchou@usc.edu Susan Weaver Solimar Research Group, PO Box 24618, Ventura, CA 93002, USA; e-mail: sweaver@solimar.org Lili Wang School of Community Resources and Development, Arizona State University, 411 N.
    [Show full text]
  • Things to Do in Chicago Things to Do in Chicago
    THINGSTHINGS TOTO DODO ININ CHICAGOCHICAGO current version as of June 11 There’s nothing quite like summer in Chicago, and we want you to get out there and enjoy it! View our Things To Do in Chicago guide for information and inspiration on how to explore and experience the city on your own. ACTIVITIES GOLF AND TENNIS DINING IADC 2021 ANNUAL MEETING Things To Do in Chicago ACTIVITIES CHICAGO ELECTRIC BOAT COMPANY The Chicago Electric Boat Company offers a unique, SUNDAYS ON STATE memorable, and environmentally-friendly way to see Sunday, August 15, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Chicago. By renting boats that are comfortable and If you’re in town on Sunday, August 15, make plans easy to drive, the Chicago Electric Boat Company to stop by Chicago’s latest summertime event – gives even new boaters a chance to get behind the Sundays on State. Located within walking distance wheel and see the city from this exceptional point of of the Fairmont Chicago, Sundays on State is a free, view. And, as long as you have a designated driver, interactive block party where you can enjoy local art, all cruises are BYOB! You can also choose to hire a culture, retail, bars, restaurants, and attractions. For licensed captain. For more information and to see a more information: www.loopchicago.com/events/ list of available boat types: www.chicagoelectricboats. sundays-on-state com NAVY PIER NORTH AVENUE BEACH There’s more to Navy Pier, Chicago’s iconic lakefront North Avenue Beach is one of Chicago’s most destination, than meets the eye! This landmark popular beaches with locals and visitors alike, thanks showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, to its spacious sands, cool beachfront bars, and attractions, retail shops, cruise boats, and more.
    [Show full text]
  • In Chicago Cultural Hits & Urban Adventures
    B TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS GUIDE CHOOSECHICAGO.COM 72 HOURS IN CHICAGO CULTURAL HITS & URBAN ADVENTURES SUGGESTED SEASONAL ITINERARIES CHICAGO FOR SENIOR & STUDENT GROUPS | CHICAGO MUST-SEES OPEN DAILY GLASS Oct - Feb: 10am - 8pm* BALCONIES Mar - Sept: 9am - 10pm* PUT YOU *Plus extended Saturday hours 1,353 FEET & Call 312.875.9696 103 FLOORS to book your groups today! OVER THE WINDY • Free Bus Parking CITY! • Free Escort Tickets • Early Group Entry WILLIS TOWER 103rd floor • 233 S Wacker Dr. • Chicago, IL 60606 CHICAGO SKYLINE WELCOME TO CHICAGO Welcome to the city that feels like home. More than 55 million visitors experienced Chicago’s authentic hospitality and cultural and culinary diversity last year. That was a goal I had hoped we would reach by the end of the decade. Thanks to you and millions like you, we did — three years early. Speaking of diversity, it’s everywhere you look. More than 100 countries are represented in Chicago’s 77 communities, making it easy to sample the culture and cuisine of many nations — all within easy walking or riding distance. Chicago’s equally diverse food scene is world renowned, with Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning restaurants all over the city. NAVY PIER Chicago’s cultural diversity is enhanced by its more than 250 theaters, 56 museums, 225 music venues and more than 700 public works of art, many of which are found in or near Chicago’s nearly 600 parks. Add to that an iconic skyline along much of the city’s 26 miles of lakefront and it’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveler readers named Chicago the Best Big City in the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Itinerary
    Dog-Friendly Chicago barks & Chicago recreation in chicago Discover why dog-friendly Chicago wins best-in-show There’s plenty for pups and their humans to do in Chicago. You 3 days can feel the lake breeze on your nose while taking a dog-friendly cruise. Let loose at one of the city’s dog-friendly outdoor spots. 18mi (Approx) Treat yourselves to some goodies from a doggie bakery, shop with your pup, and then put your paws up at a relaxing pet spa. Dog-Friendly Chicago Chicago Riverwalk Courtesy of Navy Pier Magnificent Mile Navy Pier Many places have reopened with limited capacity, new operating hours or other restrictions. Dog Parks Inquire ahead of time for up-to-date health and safety information. Day 1 Treat your furry best friend to an exciting adventure- chain to launch a pet program that treats four- filled first day in Chicago. Stroll along Navy Pier legged friends like VIPs (Very Important Pets) with where you can find unparalleled views of the city amenities like a special pet room-service menu, pet and all sorts of outdoor, dog-friendly dining patios, toys and bedding, a list of local pet services and a like Giordano’s and Harry Caray’s Tavern. You can welcome letter from the hotel’s general manager. even bring your dog on a thrilling Seadog Cruise to Lastly, The Kimpton Hotels (Hotel Allegro and take in the city’s skyline. If your dog would prefer Hotel Monaco) are so pet-friendly they even have to take a more leisurely cruise, you can hop aboard a Director of Pet Relations on-site at the hotel! So, Public House Chicago Mercury Cruise’s Canine Cruise which departs from it’s safe to say your pooch won’t feel like they’re Michigan Avenue.
    [Show full text]
  • Chicago River Trail Action Plan
    CHICAGO RIVER TRAIL ACTION PLAN 1 The Vision We envision a seamless Chicago River Trail system that will provide a low-stress corridor for people walking, running and biking. The Chicago River Trail will be made up of a diverse array of elements, including riverside, floating and decked trails, on-street connections and robust wayfinding. Building the trail structure on or over the water is key to expediting trail construction since riverside land is currently unavailable in places. The Chicago River Trail will be accessed by a safe and comfortable network of streets designed to ensure people on foot, bike and New sections of a riverwalk may be added along the river, such as this transit have easy access to the river no matter their point of origin. stretch between Bubbly Creek and Ashland Ave. Rendering courtesy of Great Rivers Chicago. The Chicago River Trail will provide residents an opportunity to celebrate and embrace Chicago’s unique neighborhoods, The Opportunity its history and its diversity. Urban waterfronts provide cities with unique possibilities for recreation, open space and transportation. Many world class cities have invested in developing waterfront parks and trails in order to connect residents with the myriad quality of life benefits they can bring, such as improved health, cleaner environments and economic opportunity. While Chicago’s lakefront park and trail system is second to none, the Chicago River has not yet reached its full potential as a community recreation and active transportation asset. A continuous Chicago River Trail system would help transform a neglected waterway into vibrant open space and an active transportation corridor connecting Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods to the river and to each other.
    [Show full text]
  • Sponsorship Deck 2019 Active Transportation Alliance
    sponsorship deck 2019 active transportation alliance MB Bike the Drive 2016 1 Photo by Travis Roozée getting to know Family Biking Education Series active transportation alliance 2 A rtation lliance Winter Bike to Work Rally spo pr Our 2019 Events n es ra e JANUARY 25, 2019 T n e ts v i t t h In its 26th year, the Winter Bike to Work Rally c e A is an event geared towards expert cyclists and Winte newbies alike! The Winter Bike to Work Day Rally BIKE is a true celebration of winter cycling in Chicago. RALLY Come warm up with goodies from our sponsors Work with the Active Transportation and share in comradery with like-minded folks! Alliance to capture the attention of Awards Awards Reception tens of thousands of our members, Reception MARCH 7, 2019 Please show your support for the power of active event participants and advocacy 2019 transportation in your community while networking with the key players in Chicagoland business and campaign participants who live in the active transportation as we honor those who make Chicago metro area and who value a our work possible. healthy, active lifestyle. MB Bike the Drive SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2019 21,000+ bicyclists enjoy 15 miles of activetrans.org car-free Lake Shore Drive on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. PORTAT ANS ION A Chicago Bike Week & TR LL E IA IV N T C Bike Commuter Challenge C E A BIKE JUNE 14-28, 2019 TO WORK 7,000+ people join in on a contest between their companies.
    [Show full text]