Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Senator Dick Durbin, representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly joined community members over the weekend to officially open Chicago’s newest nature area on Northerly Island. The 43-acre project, which includes topography changes, natural plantings and the creation of a large pond, has transformed nearly half of Northerly Island into an urban oasis in the heart of Chicago. The interior park trail and overlooks are now open to the public; other areas of the island continue to be fenced off due to ongoing restoration efforts.

Ecological restoration of the southern portion of Northerly Island Park has transformed it into a beautiful nature area featuring a one mile multi-purpose trail; a five-acre lagoon that is hydraulically connected to Lake Michigan; nature trails; boardwalks; rolling hills providing views of the city and refuge for migratory birds; native plantings to attract a wide range of birds and insects; camping locations; educational areas for park programming; and a lacustrine shelf along Burnham Harbor to provide fish habitat.