Clark Park Boathouse Discussion

Clark Park is a pristine river front park which contains acres of green space and a half mile river front trail, soccer fields, native gardens and a state-of-the-art BMX trail. Also, it has a public canoe/kayak launch and is a recognized butterfly sanctuary and bird watching habitat.

We oppose constructing a 2 acre sized boat warehouse/crewing facility which will negatively impact the park - it will be too large for Clark Park and introduce a 3 story building, surrounded by concrete, increased vehicle traffic, and will interrupt existing activities at the park. The public demands a period of public review to investigate moving the facility to a larger park or a different location.

A much smaller boathouse facility could be constructed at Clark Park, containing canoes/kayak, badly needed washrooms and a public water source, concessios and possible bike rental. Green Space is the most valuable resource in the parks, especially in this one-of-a-kind riverfront park - it must be protected for future generations.

http://www.change.org/petitions/chicago-park-district-and-the-city-...

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Permalink Reply by Tim S on May 9, 2012 at 1:28pm

Please provide a link to literature you are reading. My image is "correct" per any information that has been shared here... that I have seen.

Night Owl said:

Tim:

I've been looking over some literature on this, and it seems that the location of that overlay is incorrect. According to the IDNR permits for the jetties, the site is "located at approximately School Street" - a block further south than Roscoe. This would seem to put the BMX jumps in serious danger depending on the building's footprint.

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Permalink Reply by Night Owl on May 9, 2012 at 1:41pm

Can't, sorry...I've only seen the hardcopies and don't have digital forms, but the exact text from the IDNR permit review states that the Parks District has applied for permits to "construct two floating docks and perform shoreline stabilization in the North Branch of the Chicago River at Clark and River Parks. The Clark Park project site is located on the east bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River at approximately School Street..." No other information is given and the schematics don't give a great sense of geography within the park itself; they are just cross sections of how the river will be impacted.

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Permalink Reply by Tim S on May 9, 2012 at 1:52pm

Not totally doubting you but until there is something to view I can't, nor can anyone else, allow that to add to the discussion... yet. Seems the only image that has been provided so far is that which I, believe, correctly placed on the google map based on where the parking lot is situated in their diagram.

If it is true I hope the BMX/Bike/Green crowd gets all up on the CPAC as they would be the reason for it to be moved south taking out "the Garden" and a load of tree's to protect a open grass area.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 9, 2012 at 1:59pm

I think Tim's overlay is spot on.

Not only does the shoreline line up perfectly but more importantly the curve on Rockwell overlays exactly.

No, this is a perfect cork. They have deftly tied up Park Place and Boardwalk to create a Monopoly so now they can convert 4 green houses into a Red Hotel and rent will be going up for the common taxpayer. They also have smoothly tied up Roscoe Baltic and Mediterainian on the other side of the river Go in the process (which is what I think they wanted the whole time by blocking out any bridge in that location.)

Well played bankers!

This round goes to you.

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Permalink Reply by Davo on May 9, 2012 at 2:10pm

As per Tims overlay. I see no obstruction to a bridge being built directly off of roscoe (on the west) to the trail on the east by the boat house or the BMX park even with the desired run-ups. Now weather or not the city would actually build it is another question alltogeather.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 9, 2012 at 2:15pm

Does that crystal ball of yours also say something about which stocks I should invest in? Or when the Cubs will win the World Series? It seems pretty specific in its predictions.

James BlackHeron said:

The bridge isn't going to get built now. History will show that looking back 10-15 years from now. Whether it was going to be built at all -or even if all the plans that had it as a critical crossing for bike boulevards and transportation cycling in the area will survive without it is another discussion.

The boathouse WILL get built. It's a done deal. There will also be a buy-back of Roscoe west of the river and a "green battery plant" built there as well as other industrial pet projects.

We are just talking about stuff here. There is no debate left.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 9, 2012 at 2:18pm

Sports are irrelevant. One team wins and another loses. Who cares?

As for the market -send lawyers guns and money, the s--t is going to hit the fan.

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Permalink Reply by Davo on May 9, 2012 at 2:21pm

Bridge in Pink run-ups in Purple. Seems to fit but Im no bridge engineer.

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Permalink Reply by Night Owl on May 9, 2012 at 2:29pm

Hmmm...well, I guess I'd just ask when those schematics are dated. These permit reviews are from April 12th, 2012 and the crude map accompanying it shows it directly across from DeVry on the other side of Rockwell . Things might have changed? As I said earlier though, the contract for construction is being signed in about two hours so it is all but tied up for the Park District at this point.

Tim S said:

Not totally doubting you but until there is something to view I can't, nor can anyone else, allow that to add to the discussion... yet. Seems the only image that has been provided so far is that which I, believe, correctly placed on the google map based on where the parking lot is situated in their diagram.

If it is true I hope the BMX/Bike/Green crowd gets all up on the CPAC as they would be the reason for it to be moved south taking out "the Garden" and a load of tree's to protect a open grass area.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 9, 2012 at 2:31pm

If only there was a bridge engineer on The Chainlink...

Maybe envane x will chime in on this. I seriously would LOVE for you to be right Davo.

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Permalink Reply by Davo on May 9, 2012 at 2:35pm

All in all I agree that the city handled this poorly. Maybe their could be some sort of stipulation for some portion of the boat house proceeds to go to making this bridge a possibility. I would like to think that the bridge could still be put in as well as the boat house.