The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will develop the southern 40 acres of Northerly Island, thanks to a $2.8 million federal grant and $1.5 million in Park District revenues generated by the concert venue at Northerly Island.
To pave the way for a dramatic increase in camping, kayaking, sailing, fishing and other outdoor activities, the Army Corps is expected to restore shoreline habitats, coastal wetland, “coastal plant communities” and install a pond hydraulically controlled through Lake Michigan ground water.
A multi-purpose trail, nature trails, boardwalks, camping areas, viewpoints, rolling hills, native plantings and tree plantings are also planned, as part of the ambitious project, sources said.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Park District Superintendent Michael Kelly are scheduled to hold a news conference at the Field Museum on Thursday to announce the upgrades.
Best of all it sounds like construction on this plan will start in November:
The work is expected to begin in November and be completed in the spring of 2014, followed by a five-year maintenance program.Sounds good to us.
(Hat tip: ND!)
5 comments:
I'm actually a little bummed about this. It looks really nice, but I know Northerly is just going to get so much more crowded.
Being from Colorado, Northerly Island, with its natural grasses and bird sanctuaries, not to mention the quiet being far away from LSD, is the one place in the city where I feel at home. I love the... rawness of it. It is my favorite spot to go and relax, bike ride, take a nap, or fly our kites.
Although camping and kayaking do sound fun!
Camping? I think this is a bad idea to add a campground.
This location is far enough out of the way that I don't think anyone is going to make th effort to camp for purposes other than recreation.
It is also a good reinvestment of the proceeds from the concert venue- it expands the range of recreation activities and, consequently, the range of people that will utilize this space. Those that might attend this weekend's 311 concert (btw I was shocked to know that band still existed, let alone toured) are probably not the same as those that would choose to bike, camp, etc.
In other news, more details on 724 S Dearborn- already been reported that it's going to be a spa/nail salon, but here is a name: Spa Anjou. Business license granted this week- not sure when they will open, but something to add to anticipated openings on the business counter.
http://chicago.everyblock.com/business-licenses/aug15-spa-anjou-5257454/
Camping already happens here and the kids absolutely love it!
I can't wait to see the new park... then eventually (if a big donor assists) the reef and islands features will be constructed.
I run back there all the time and it is very quiet. Many times I'm one of the only, or only, person on the whole park area. I still think this is far enough off the beaten path that it will still be nice and quiet back there.
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