Public meeting to discuss Lakefront Trail separation scheduled for this week

As the city of Chicago prepares to embark on a long-awaited plan to create separate trails for cyclists and pedestrians along the city’s lakefront between Fullerton and Ohio streets this spring, the Active Transportation Alliance will host a public meeting this week to allow residents to review draft plans and provide their feedback.

Scheduled for Wednesday, March 22 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, the meeting will provide additional insight as to how the project can maximize safety for all users of the Lakefront Trail. Active Trans along with the Chicago Area Runners Association have been advising the Chicago Park District throughout the project’s planning phase and will take Wednesday’s comments under careful consideration.

The project was an important goal put forth by Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s second-term vision for Chicago’s parks. While construction of separate biking/jogging trails commenced last fall on Chicago’s South Side between 31st and East 51st streets, the effort received a major boost last year when Illinois’ wealthiest resident—and avid Lakefront Trail cyclist—Ken Griffin pledged a $12 million private donation to help see the plan realized.

Work on the segment between Fullerton and Ohio is expected to begin this spring, starting between Fullerton to North and finishing with the stretch between North and Ohio. There, cyclists and pedestrians will need to remember how to once again share, with both trails feeding into the single elevated pathway of the yet-to-open Navy Pier flyover.

• Park district moves on Lakefront Trail separation [Active Transportation Alliance]
• Separate bike paths finally headed to Chicago’s lakefront [Curbed Chicago]