Mayor Emanuel has made the park’s construction the linchpin of a plan to invest $290 million in recreational spaces across the city. The majority of The Bloomingdale is expected to open in 2014.
Once elected, Emanuel made the park’s construction
a priority for his first mayoral term and the linchpin of a plan to invest $290 million in recreational spaces across the city over the following five years—to create what he has called “a quiet revolution in neighborhood parks.” The mayor soon announced that $46 million to complete the project’s first phase was already in place, including $7 million in philanthropic donations raised with TPL’s help. (See “Funding The Bloomingdale,” page 24.) The Chicago Department of Transportation will
manage construction of the park. The design team includes the engineering firm Collins Engineers, land- scape architects Michael van Valkenburgh Associates, and lead artist Frances Whitehead. The majority of The Bloomingdale is expected to open in 2014. “Emanuel’s announcement sent a signal that this is
finally happening,” says Jamie Simone, urban parks pro- gram director for TPL–Chicago. Adds Ben Helphand, “The mayor didn’t just say, ‘I
like this.’ He said, ‘I like this and this will happen in my first term.’ ’’
LINKING PAST AND FUTURE Early on a July morning, there are runners on what will become The Bloomingdale. Near Whipple Avenue, in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, a husky blond man hops a short wrought-iron fence, scampers up the em- bankment, and begins to jog. And a mile and a half east, near Ashland Avenue, a young woman holds up a cell phone as she runs past. “I’m from New York,” she says. “Found it on Google Maps.” If either returns in two years, here’s what he or she
might find: a landscaped path wide enough for cyclists, joggers, and walkers—or maybe walkers will get their own path, as is being contemplated. There will be quiet spaces to sit and street-level access points about every half-mile. Ideas that have emerged from the TPL-led com- munity process include spots for public art and
BRETT KRAMER PHOTOGRAPHY
Created with help from The Trust for Public Land, the new Julia de Burgos Park will offer access to the trail while bringing open space to its underserved neighborhood. Opposite: While trespassing on the old railroad embankment line is illegal and strongly discouraged, joggers in search of open space do find ways to run there.
installations reflecting the culture and history of the neighborhoods. Daniel Schulman, visual arts program director for the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, believes that the park could become a national model for incorporating art and culture into a park space. “There will be plenty of opportunity for curating, to propose temporary pieces,” he says. “Performances, poets reading. It’s about using the trail to bring arts into the neighborhoods.” The intent is not to wipe out the historic quality of
the rail line, says TPL’s Jamie Simone—quite the oppo- site. The embankment will be patched and structurally
America’s Next Great Park Feature Title 23
DAVID SCHALLIOL
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