Clark Street commuters--have you discovered freedom?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on August 3, 2011 at 12:55pm

The park is owned by the Old Town Triangle Association. The site used to be a filling station and then empty lot. The project took many years and multiple sources of funding from places like NeighborSpace or OpenLands to get it done, as well as the tireless vision of one of our OTTA members.  The sculptor is a local artist, whose studios are (were?) right beneath the Sedgwick brown line stop.

 

The park was completed more than 5 years ago, and although it’s beautifully designed, it is nevertheless incredibly and sadly underused. I live nearby and rarely see anyone enjoying it.  

 

Not to go off topic from the park, but I suspect a big reason the park is unnoticed and unappreciated is that Clark Street on that stretch (.5 miles from Armitage to North) is currently configured like a superhighway, and sorely needs to be put on a road diet. Among many problems, there are no bike lanes of any kind on that stretch, and cars whip by at really high speeds. A group of us have formed Bike Walk Lincoln Park and are going to work on improving Clark Street. Anyone interested in joining the effort can read our related post and feel free to contact us at bikewalklincolnpark at gmail dot com

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 3, 2011 at 12:58pm

Excellent!!! Thanks for fighting the good fight.

Michelle said:

 A group of us have formed Bike Walk Lincoln Park and are going to work on improving Clark Street. 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim on August 3, 2011 at 1:23pm

That fountain looks like a great place to stop over on a hot sweaty bike ride! We should get a critical mass to pass by there!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 3, 2011 at 1:37pm

Cool, thanks for the info and advocacy update, Michelle! I made sure to let our Chicago bike advocacy people know so they can connect with your group.

 

Definitely agree about that stretch of Clark, I always make a big deal about taking the lane there to stay safe.

 

Thanks,

Ethan, with Active Trans

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 3, 2011 at 5:46pm

One of our board members also said this property was at one time a CTA bus turnaround too!

 

Ethan, Active Trans

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 3, 2011 at 8:09pm

I think that's exactly why it's little known and underappreciated. I never noticed it while riding by because I've always had to be extra wary around the fast crazy traffic.

 

When you sit there, it's a quiet oasis away from the traffic.  It's definitely worth a stop.

Michelle said:

The park was completed more than 5 years ago, and although it’s beautifully designed, it is nevertheless incredibly and sadly underused. I live nearby and rarely see anyone enjoying it.

 

Not to go off topic from the park, but I suspect a big reason the park is unnoticed and unappreciated is that Clark Street on that stretch (.5 miles from Armitage to North) is currently configured like a superhighway, and sorely needs to be put on a road diet. Among many problems, there are no bike lanes of any kind on that stretch, and cars whip by at really high speeds. A group of us have formed Bike Walk Lincoln Park and are going to work on improving Clark Street. Anyone interested in joining the effort can read our related post and feel free to contact us at bikewalklincolnpark at gmail dot com

• ▶ Reply