Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Maurice Cox, and Chicago Park District Interim General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño released a citywide vision of trails and open spaces that will contribute to a network of community-led green infrastructure projects that promote the health and well-being of Chicago residents and visitors.  The citywide vision map is intended to add 48 miles of new assets to an existing 79-mile network. The individual projects will be spearheaded locally with planning and visioning support from DPD, CDOT, and the Chicago Park District. The City is working closely with the community stakeholders to plan each project and identify funding for engineering and construction, including applications for competitive federal grants in the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure package. These projects include: 

• Chicago Boulevards System: CDOT will reopen its “Open Boulevards” program in the summer of 2022 to reallocate street space for community events while also planning for the future of the historic 22-mile-long boulevards system that helps connect several parks and trails systems seamlessly. 

• The 606/Bloomingdale Trail: CDOT and Cook County will work to extend the trail ½ mile eastward from Ashland to Elston avenues through a private partnership with developer Sterling Bay, a major area landowner. 

• Chicago Riverwalk Extension to Ping Tom Park: CDOT to begin Phase 1 design in the second half of 2022 for this 2-mile corridor. 

• Big Marsh: The Park District will prioritize the construction of a three-mile trail within the marsh, with the first phase to open in summer 2022, along with improved connections with nearby open spaces. 

If successful, the City could receive up to $45 million of federal funds to assist in the completion of this transformational project.