Construction To Begin on Chicago’s Elevated Bloomingdale Trail Next Summer

Last week, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/chicago-unveils-plans-for-the-elevated-bloomingdale-trail-park-in-the-sky/" target="_blank">Bloomingdale Trail</a> design team presented their latest version and new renderings to the public for the almost 3 mile elevated trail and park slated for construction on Chicago's north-west side. The team, which includes Collins Engineers, <a href="http://www.mvvainc.com/project.php?id=97" target="_blank">Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates</a>, and Frances Whitehead, announced that construction would begin next summer in 2013 and will be open to bikers and pedestrians in the fall of 2014, while landscaping work and art installations will continue through 2015. The elevated rail trail will connect to other open spaces throughout the city and will include public art, seating, play areas, dog parks, an observation tower and much more.

<a href="http://www.mvvainc.com/project.php?id=97" target="_blank">Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates</a> presented the team's latest renderings and plans for the <a href="http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/" target="_blank">Bloomingdale Trail</a> and park to the public last week.

This was the last chance for public comment before final plans are released in December.

The elevated trail and park will be 2.7 miles long and will feature bike and pedestrian paths, native plant landscaping, play areas and new parks at the 8 access points along the trail.

The new renderings show a more complete picture of how the park will be landscaped and which specific amenities will go where.

The design team answered more questions regarding privacy for homes within close proximity to the park and they helped explain how design features will keep bicyclists from riding too fast.

Public art, new wildlife habitats and improving environmental quality are all important aspects of the project as well.

To see plans in even greater detail, check out the <a href="http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/2012.09.24_PUBLIC_MEETING_PRESENTATION.pdf" target="_blank">presentation pdf over at A|N Blog</a>.