March 16, 2018

Anticipating as much as 18 million square feet of new development on a 760-acre swath along the Chicago River, a group is pushing for the city to set aside 24 acres as parkland. Two aldermen are working with community groups and architects to persuade Mayor Emanuel to create a park on industrial land between Cortland Street and North Avenue that otherwise would be sold to developers.

Known as the North Branch Park Preserve, the group includes Aldermen Scott Waguespack and Michele Smith. Their proposal for a park would include bike trails, playgrounds, sports fields and a nature preserve.

However, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Emanuel administration said it was already working with Alderman Brian Hopkins to preserve 60 acres of open space in the area, and that the 24-acre proposal would be “at odds with the outcome of that process.”

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Tags: Development