Updated March 15, 2013- Bucktown

The Bloomingdale Trail Project has been officially approved this week and work is set to begin this Summer. The Mayor's Office issued a press release on March 13, 2013 stating the project had been approved by City Council:

The long-anticipated Bloomingdale Park and Trail on the Northwest Side is on track for a summer groundbreaking through management and operational agreements approved by the City Council today.





"The Bloomingdale Park and Trail will be one of the most unique and user-friendly to be developed anywhere in the country", said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "I am pleased this project continues to make progress and I look forward to construction beginning this summer."













To review a copy of the Mayor's Press Release.

February 7, 2013 - Updated via email issued by 1st Ward Alderman Moreno

"Recently, I received a copy of The Bloomingdale Trail and Park Framework Plan and to say this project is exciting would be a gross understatement.









CDOT, the Park District, Housing and Economic Development, Cultural Affairs and Special Events Departments, The Trust for Public Land , and our community, have established a set of guidelines for design, implementation, and management of this revolutionary project.

Three weeks ago the city officially purchased this elevated Canadian Pacific Railway spur known as the Bloomingdale Trail for $1(not including administrative fees). When the project is completed in 2015, around $91 million in private and public funds will have been spent.





The 2.7 mile trail goes through pieces of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown. Construction is expected to begin this summer. There will be various street closures, which will be announced in this newsletter at a later date.





Mayor Emanuel must be commended for making this public/private project a reality after almost a decade of advocacy and planning by various groups. The inclusion of the community in the planning process of this framework plan must also be commended.





I am confident that The Bloomingdale Trail will become the Millennium Park of Chicago's neighborhoods. Take a look at some of the exciting renderings and plans here . "

September 2012 - In a story recently covered by ABC News anchor Ron Magers, it's noted that the Bloomingdale Trail will be the longest elevated park in the world.

$90 million dollars will turn the abandoned tracks into a 3 mile long park connecting Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. Work is expected to begin this Fall with a completion date of Fall 2014.

Plans are also in the works to transform a small vacant lot at Milwaukee Avenue and Leavitt Street into a park with artwork, seating and a playground. Great plans are in the works. Can't wait to see the parks when they're finished.