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Permalink Reply by Michelle S on August 3, 2011 at 6:55am

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

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Permalink Reply by Tim on August 3, 2011 at 7:23am

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!

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Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 3, 2011 at 7:37am

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

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Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on August 3, 2011 at 11:46am

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

 

Ethan, Active Trans

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 3, 2011 at 2:09pm

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

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