Taking snow matters into our own hands...

Tricolor wrote:

I've been sorely tempted to buy a light plastic snow shovel and take a few hours out of weekends to clear bits of the trail like the Fullerton stretch (and sometimes Oak) myself.  Has anyone ever tried to organize a group to go out and clear parts that could be cleared but the Park District ignores all winter?

In the case of the just-south-of-Fullerton stretch, I believe the park district's behavior is intentional. The last thing they want is some bikie sliding off the path into the water. I haven't been that far south on the LFT recently, but my guess is the big curve north of Oak Street Beach is also unplowed, closed, and intentionally blocked off.

You could shovel the detour there at Fullerton, but until it's turned into actual pavement it's likely to always be iffy. If you did something, unless they couldn't find you, I suspect the Parks Department wouldn't be too happy about your efforts.

Not trying to discourage anybody who might want to tackle this, just sayin'...

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on January 10, 2014 at 8:14am

Yeah, the Fullerton stretch is intentionally not plowed because it can get icy due to its proximity to the water. The Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to fill in that area of the lake, but no word on when. It's nice that there is a detour available, but it sucks that it's always so messy. In the mean time, I think the Park District should pave over the muddy, sandy path to increase safety. If the main path is going to be closed all winter, then this would not be a waste. The photos below show how unnavigable the path gets in snow.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 10, 2014 at 8:20am

Actually, there is:

www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/fullerton-shoreline-project-meeting



Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:


[...] The Army Corps of Engineers is supposed to fill in that area of the lake, but no word on when.[...]

Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on January 10, 2014 at 8:26am

This article posted yesterday (http://voices.suntimes.com/news/humboldt-park-woman-sick-of-dibs-sh...) detailed someone taking snow removal on her block into her own hands and clearing all the parking spots. Would it be worth organizing cyclists together to do something similar? Im interested , but not so sure about what it accomplishes. We want the city to support the infrastructure, and if we start setting precedents of doing it on our own, then that might become the expectation. Maybe the PR and immediate camaraderie would be enough reward in itself? Im all ears. 

Also, the rain and warm air this weekend will hopefully clear most of the snow. It wouldn't be worth the massive effort if its just for one day of riding.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on January 10, 2014 at 8:29am

The two-year, $16 million project is expected to start construction in early 2014.

So it's officially early 2014, and I haven't heard anything about when it's supposed to start, if it's been delayed, etc. "Early 2014" is a bit vague.


Duppie said:

Actually, there is:

www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/fullerton-shoreline-project-meeting

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on January 10, 2014 at 8:50am

From this piece: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2013/08/23/fullerton-beach-proje... I quote:

As for the timetable, the project has not yet gone out for bid, but work is expected to start in February 2014, with completion scheduled for December 2015.

so, yes, this is early 2014, but give them another month or two to get started. :-)

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 10, 2014 at 8:52am

Rereading that thread I see that the plan was supposed to go to the Plan Commission in September.  Anyone know how to figure out if it did?

Since it appears that section in Adam's pictures is where the rerouted path with be, I imagine they will do something--perhaps asphalt.  It will have to be used by everyone, and there really is not that much space up there.  But they won't be doing asphalt at least until it dries up enough to do some grading and to put the asphalt down so it stays there.

I generally agree with T.K. on the snow removal although I am no stranger to a shovel after these past couple of weeks.  Perhaps organize for only the most persistent problems that would appear to be particularly difficult for the city/park district to deal with?

Actually, I hope the darned stuff is done so we don't have to worry about it any more! 
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The two-year, $16 million project is expected to start construction in early 2014.

So it's officially early 2014, and I haven't heard anything about when it's supposed to start, if it's been delayed, etc. "Early 2014" is a bit vague.


Duppie said:

Actually, there is:

www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/fullerton-shoreline-project-meeting

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on January 10, 2014 at 9:04am

The whole trail can get icy, but Fullerton and Oak can get lake swells that result in very thick ice and even floes from the lake washed up on the trail, which I think is why they don't ever bother with it.  For times like this when there's no chance of thick ice forming leaving it impassable is just an inconvenience.  It's even worse at Oak since there's no really safe alternative.

I shudder to think what the path will look like around Fullerton during construction.  Something will be made for it, but there's no guarantee it won't become a muddy swamp or will get any kind of clearing next winter.  After it's done I'm sure the whole thing will be great.

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