On the Northwest side of Chicago, a thriving group of neighborhoods are connected by an unused, elevated railroad that has been the subject of community debate for more than a decade. A plan is finally in place, and construction has began to transform the nearly three-mile rail line into the Bloomingdale Trail. When complete (ideally in fall 2014), the trail will connect five neighborhood parks, and the additions of an observatory, a skate park, art installations, educational programming, and other amenities will complete the scope of the project. Named The 606, a reference to Chicago’s zip-code prefix, the entire park-and-trail system will be set above the city streets and will serve as a new way to explore Chicago, whether biking, running, or strolling.
