August 2013
Chicago’s Next Great Park – An Urban Oasis
Walsh Construction has won a bid to build the Bloomingdale Trail and Park -- a multi-use linear park that will be the first of its kind in Chicago. It will connect several Northside neighborhoods and create a unique urban park.
This 2.7 mile stretch of elevated Canadian Pacific Railway between Ashland and Ridgeway Avenue hasn't been used since 2000, and will soon be turned into a multi-use path and park. Walsh's $53.7 million contract will go towards building a path, rehabilitating 40 railway viaducts, retaining walls and removing the old railroad tracks.
The linear park will stretch through the neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Logan Square. Currently, the track that connects these four vibrant, Northside neighborhoods is mostly deserted with the exception of few "off the beaten path" runners.
Nearly $50 million worth of federal funds were approved for the trail's construction. The rest of the money for development costs will be raised through a partnership between the city, Cook County, the Chicago Park District, and the Trust for Public Land.
The unique project creates a safe and attractive trail - accessible to all - that is uninterrupted by motor vehicles. It is designed for all users from children to seniors, with thirteen acres of open space to create a place to play, commute, and relax.
The project broke ground this week and will be overseen by Chicago's Department of Transportation. The Chicago Park District will manage the multipurpose trail and park. The end of 2014 is the project end date target.