NORTH BRANCH PARK & NATURE PRESERVE

A new urban district of unprecedented scale is underway in Chicago along the North Branch of the Chicago River.  More than 19 million square feet of new, mixed use development is envisioned with population projections that exceed 50,000 people within a few years.

The economic benefit of this development for Chicago is significant.  However, if a large scale public park is not integrated to complement the current vision, access to the Chicago River will be constricted by dense urban walls of high-rise buildings for people that live and work in them. 

The Chicago River belongs to all Chicagoans and access to it should be publicly guaranteed.

Therefore, a 24-acre publicly-owned riverfront park and nature preserve is proposed along the east bank of the Chicago River between North Avenue and Cortland Street.  This is the last large tract of land in the North Branch Corridor that could be assembled for this use. 

Publicly-owned parkland is also important given the fact that more than 90,000 Chicagoans already live within a half mile of the North Branch Corridor today.

If you agree that a large-scale, publicly-owned riverfront park and nature preserve must be part of Lincoln Yards - click "YES" to add your support —>

BALANCED GROWTH

PUBLIC RIVERFRONT

NOW OR NEVER

NORTH BRANCH PARK PRESERVE ADVOCATES

A coalition of civic advocates representing the Chicago design, environmental, neighborhood and sports communities prepared this Vision to demonstrate the value of a publicly-owned park preserve.  No firm or individual has been paid on behalf of any land owner or special interest. All work presented herein was produced by volunteers for free. 

 

Lincoln Yards Plan: Too Tall And Out Of Place. Slow It Down. - Chicago Tribune

Lincoln Yards: Growth or Gridlock - Chicago Tribune

Lincoln Yards TIF Deserves Thorough Vetting - Chicago Tribune

City Wants New TIF District To Support Lincoln Yards But Alderman Challenges Move - Block Club Chicago

The North Branch Needs Development — and A Big, Beautiful Park - Chicago Tribune

Tale of Two Cities Laid Out Cold in New Chicago Poll - Crain’s

Most Cities Couldn’t Build This Park. Will Chicago? - Chicago Tribune

Lincoln Yards Plan: Bold, Ambitious and Not Yet A Good Neighbor - Chicago Tribune

Chicago, Proceed Carefully With Lincoln Yards - Chicago Tribune

Scant Details, Lack of Typical Q&A Leave Alderman, Crowd a Little Antsy Over Sterling Bay's Lincoln Yards Plans - Chicago Tribune

Vision for $5 Billion Lincoln Yards Development Includes 70-Story Skyscrapers, 5,000 Homes, 23,000 Jobs - Chicago Tribune

Developers Showcase $5 Billion Lincoln Yards Project Along Chicago River - Chicago Sun Times

Opportunity to Revamp a Key North Branch Parcel Just Opened Up - Crain's Chicago Business

North Branch Park Project Could Cost Up To $200 Million, Backers Say - Chicago Tribune

North Branch: Brace for the Influx - Chicago Tribune

North Side Alderman Supports 24-Acre Riverfront Park, If It Can Be Funded - Chicago Tribune

What Happened To ‘Make No Little Plans,’ Mr. Mayor? - Chicago Tribune

Emanuel To Unveil Open Space Plan To Bolster ‘Two-Waterfront’ City - Chicago Sun-Times

The North Branch Remake and a Riverfront Park: Dream Big - Chicago Tribune

Friends, Coalition Partners Release Plan for North Branch Park & Preserve - Friends of the Chicago River

Community Groups Intensify Push for New North Branch Park - Chicago Architecture

Grab the Chance, Chicago, to Create A Green Jewel Along the North Branch - Chicago Sun-Times

Aldermen, Group Push To Preserve North Side Riverfront - Bucktown Patch

Group Wants Parkland on Riverfront Swath Ripe for Development - Connect Chicago

Battle Brewing Over Future of North Branch of the Chicago River - Chicago Sun-Times

Group Envisions 24-Acre Riverfront Park as North Side Prepares for Flood of Towers - Chicago Tribune