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Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on September 4, 2015 at 7:31am

I spent my lunch break out there, and a few updates/observations:

1) fencing is indeed temporary for the plantings, the CPD staffer said it will stay up in 2016 and come down in 2017.

2) even on a ribbon-cutting opening day "event," it was very sparsely populated.  I don't imagine it will ever get all that crowded, as it's a destination that takes some work to get to, not a commuting path doubling as a park like the 606.  plenty of room for cyclists and pedestrians.. 

3) timed with the fence coming down will be mulched meandering pathways to allow people to explore the terrain.

I love it.  Very unique views of the City, and the originally unplanned addition of the rock wall brought back memories of Chicago's "classic" lakefront.  Also worth a note that the burrito joint at the 12th Street Beach is shockingly awesome.

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 4, 2015 at 11:10am

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/northerly-island-park-touted...

Northerly Island Park, 'Urban Oasis', officially opens.

I'm guessing not that many people know about it yet. Nice and quiet. Check it out.

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Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on September 6, 2015 at 10:44am

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Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on September 6, 2015 at 10:52am

Views from the new park are lovely, as expected.  Crowd was sparse.  Path meanders around the island, so it won't be useful for crit practice like it used to be.  Fantastic Dessa Kirk statutes still out there.  The fences are low and don't obstruct the views but do protect the growing wild flower plantings.  

I flew in and out of Meigs Field often for many years, then used Northerly Island as a cycling and triathlon practice track for a few years.  This new version of the island is my new favorite.  

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on September 6, 2015 at 12:55pm

Beautiful pics. Thanks for the report Jen. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on September 9, 2015 at 3:56am

Since the park district rents skis at the old terminal are there any plans to groom some of the paths in the winter? I was pretty excited by all the ski trails on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 9, 2015 at 4:30am

http://www.choosechicago.com/blog/post/2014/01/Celebrate-Winter-on-...

Call the Chicago Park District Northerly Island line for info at 312-745-2910

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Permalink Reply by daniel kernan on September 11, 2015 at 5:05pm

really nice few viewing pads too.  will be nicer when it all grows in.   best use of this land. 

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Permalink Reply by Elwood Gruschow on September 12, 2015 at 1:08pm

Gorgeous weather Saturday, September 12, 2015 afternoon at Northerly Island

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on December 9, 2015 at 3:26pm

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/Polar-Adventure-Day-at-No...

Polar Adventure Days on Northerly Island on Saturday December 12, 2015 from noon-4pm. Free Event and Free Hot Cocoa!

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 21, 2016 at 7:31am

http://chicagoonthecheap.com/northerly-island-free-polar-adventure-...

For those Chainlink members who asked about winter activity on Northerly Island:

Polar Adventure Days on Northerly Island on this Saturday January 23, 2016 from noon-4pm.

Free Event and Free Hot Cocoa!

The next Polar Adventure Day will be February 20, 2016 from noon-4pm.

NOTE: Northerly Island Trail Partial Closing - The eastern portion of the Northerly Island Trail will be closed for the winter as high waves have eroded the trail. The western portion will remain open.

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Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on January 21, 2016 at 7:46am

A little more info on that wave damage:

https://www.fieldmuseum.org/science/blog/post-storm-northerly-islan...

Just imagine what would have happened if they hadn't had that rock wall.  I think the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers made the right call.

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