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As part of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's 'Greening of Chicago' initiative, the Chicago Park District selected a multidisciplinary team to prepare a plan for estimated capital improvements at 24 of its current and proposed sites along the Chicago River. The landscape architect was pivotal in the development of the first Chicago River Master Plan, which interprets the river's shoreline conditions and communicates a healing process.
While studying over 255 acres of parkland and nine miles of shoreline, the team investigated and documented the following elements for each site: shoreline conditions, park programming, river visibility, erosion, topography, accessibility, and existing vegetation.
The resulting 160-page Chicago River Master Plan identifies over $50 million in capital improvements (not including acquisitions) and will be used as a guide for future budget planning. Significant elements of the plan include the following: locating interpretation nodes, establishing fishing and boating access, and developing routes for primary and secondary trails in conjunction with the City of Chicago's Riverfront Trail. The master plan emphasizes the City of Chicago's dedication to providing its citizens with natural recreation experiences within an urban context.
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