Improving river access, programming, and ecological restoration at Chicago's Ronan, River, Legion, and Kiwanis Parks
This is a working/planning document that will change over time
Overview
These projects are a $6.8m investment to improve river access, create new facilities for recreation & ecology programs, create new public gathering space in Ronan Park, incorporate and improve a 1.5 acre urban farm and community garden into the Park District, and improve trails and public spaces. The improvements are spread between 4 nearby riverfront parks in the Albany Park and North Park neighborhoods: Ronan, River, Legion, and Kiwanis. Slated to break ground in 2023, these projects will further improve a set of riverfront parks with spaces and programs for the surrounding communities and all of Chicago.
At Ronan Park, the project builds on the planning work completed by the North River Commission and partners through the Our Great Rivers program. Ronan Park will see major improvements to its southern entry, at Lawrence Avenue, that will create community gathering space, improved pedestrian access, fence lines, and the incorporation of an adjacent urban farm and community garden.
At River Park, improved boat storage, accessible launch, and programming space will support our first adaptative paddling program and RiverLab, a seasonal recreation and ecology education program offered by the Chicago Park District.
At Legion Park, habitat and a riverfront trail will be improved and incorporated into the Chicago Park District, allowing for better public access and programming opportunities.
At Kiwanis Park, riverfront habitat and existing trail adjacent to Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center will be improved with additional programming and gathering spaces.
Recent Projects
Tour of people exploring an urban park undergoing ecological restoration
Streambank of abundant flowers and grasses with people in the background
Tangle of trees and shrubs next to a river
Dam removal at River Park
recently restored Legion Park, east bank, south of Bryn Mawr
Paddlers gather at River Park
Photos of pre- and post-restoration, recreational, and educational programming improvements at Horner, River, and Legion Parks
Timeline
2016
River Riparian Connectivity and Habitat Restoration, Phase I(USACE, MWRD, CPD): Concrete dam and concrete river bottom removal, streambank stabilization and ecological restoration at River and Legion Parks. The project was completed in 2022.
Albany Park Stormwater Diversion Tunnel (Chicago Department of Transportation, MWRD): construction of a tunnel 150 feet below ground level to divert stormwater about 1.4 miles from the North Branch of the Chicago River to the North Shore Channel. The project was completed in 2018.
2020
Establishment ofRiverLabat River Park Boathouse, a new kind of nature center dedicated to expanding the community's connection with the Chicago River. RiverLab features a multitude of hands-on activities for visitors from all ages, including microscopes, fishing demos, a stream table, and multiple fish tanks. The facility also serves as a hub for the Chicago Park District’s canoe program, which runs guided experiences along the North Branch of the River from summer to early fall.
Initiation of Confluence, an ongoing community-driven planning process led by the North River Commission (NRC) and supported by Our Great Rivers, a program funded by the Chicago Community Trust and managed by Metropolitan Planning Council. The project builds on the many river-focused improvements in the area, including the restoration at Horner, River, and Legion Parks, the removal of the dam at River Park, and the activation of RiverLab.
Confluence began with a planning process for a series of improvements for a new east gateway to Lawrence Avenue at Ronan Park, envisioning a new, iconic riverfront destination that supports local business and catalyzes new investment in the Lawrence Avenue corridor. Community engagement and planning took place across 2020 and 2021 in partnership with the Chicago Park District, community organizations, nonprofit agencies, local businesses, and residents of the surrounding communities, with pro bono support from Perkins & Will and Omni Ecosystems. That work formed the basis of the current plans for Ronan Park. NRC continues to support planning and community engagement for the North River Park Improvement Projects.
2022
In partnership with Urban Rivers and the Chicago Park District, North River Commission received support for in-stream habitat improvements and enhanced education programs at River Park through the Chi-Cal Rivers Fund, starting in 2023.
2023
Spring stakeholder meeting to review progress. Public open house in October. Ronan Global Gardens work to begin in fall. Kiwanis and Legion invasive species managment to begin in late fall/early winter.
2024
Ronan Plaza construction expected to begin in spring. Kiwanis and Legion Park restoration and shoreline stabilization work expected to begin in spring.
Ronan Park River Plaza and Global Garden Refugee Training Farm and Community Garden
Move through the slideshow to see examples of improvements planned for this park
Ronan Park River Plaza and Global Garden Refugee Training Farm and Community Garden
The Southern end of Ronan Park, near Lawrence Avenue, will see significant reconfiguration and enhancements. The project will include the incorporation of 1.5 acres, a site that hosts Global Garden Refugee Training Farm and a community garden, into Ronan Park. A new entrance to the park will be created at the current entrance to the community garden.
Global Gardens Refugee Training Farm and the community garden grow beds will be realigned to maximize growing space. Other improvements include a stabilized entrance to support garden and farm operations, fencing improvements, and water access.
Ronan Park will have an improved entries, a pavilion structure with lawn area to support community programming, river overlook, and upgraded lighting.
The Ronan Park Gateway will be able to support a variety of community programs.
River Park RiverLab and Adaptive Paddling Program Infrastructure
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River Park RiverLab and Adaptive Paddling Program Infrastructure
A reworked, more accessible public launch and floating dock will enable people of all ability levels to enjoy the river. New storage lockers near the launch will increase canoe and kayak storage capacity to support increase interest in paddling and river-ecology programing.
River Park - site development concept, in progress.
RiverLab - currently in River Park Boathouse vendor (hot dog stand).
We're rapidly outgrowing the space and just received a grant to support additional programming and instream habitat through the Chi-Cal Rivers program via National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Current boat storage and programming area.
Challenges we're looking to resolve:
high temperatures inside containers
limited boat storage capacity
distance to launch
no line of site to launch
lack of gathering space
lack of shade
Floating wetlands, in partnership with Urban Rivers planned for installation in the spring/summer of 2024. DRAFT rendering of placement, pending permit review.
Proposed future boat storage area.
Proposed future boat storage area photo.
Current adaptive boat launch at River Park.
Increased programming and public use potential.
Legion Park West Restoration and River Access
Legion Park West Restoration and River Access
Existing trail and river access will be improved with signage and minor repairs and adjacent open space will be restored through the removal of invasive species, reintroduction of native species and additional riverbank stabilization.
Community interest in improving and activating west bank emerged with east bank restoration.
Site History - A City of Chicago Department of Environment and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restoration project from the late 1990s improved site access, reduced invasive species, and established some riverbank erosion control measures.
Legion Park West - site development plan concept includes improved signage, repairs as needed to existing trail, and additional removal of invasive species, reintroduction of native species, and additional riverbank stabilization.
Kiwanis Park Restoration and River Access
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Kiwanis Park Restoration and River Access
Existing trail access points receive rehabilitation and improvements, including seating, to make the trail more safe and usable throughout the year and additional native plants to improve river bank stabilization and habitat quality.
Site History - A restoration project from the late 1990s between City of Chicago Department of Environment and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been impacted by invasive species and fluctuating river levels. These issues have negatively impacted the existing pathway and habitat quality.
Work will include invasive species removal, native species reintroduction, shoreline stabilization and improvements to the existing trail as needed.
Kiwanis Park site development concept.
Horner Park, a previous ecological restoration project downstream from Kiwanis that serves as a reference.
