Happy 10th birthday, The 606! | Chicago Tribune
Built on the concrete remains of the century-old Bloomingdale Line — an abandoned industrial structure — the 606 has become a vibrant rails-to-trails destination, celebrating 10 years.
In 2012, architect Carol Ross Barney of Ross Barney Architects led community engagement that produced the Bloomingdale Trail and Park Framework Design Plan and contained the basic design for the 2.7‑mile park. Brooklyn-based landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh later refined the design, and the park opened in 2015.
This week, The 606 marks its 10th anniversary. During planning, community members raised concerns about gentrification and displacement. Barney recalls: “One of the main issues was the disparity in income and amenities between the west and east sides of the trail. We aimed to design a space that brought neighborhoods together.” She adds, “Architecture, planning, and landscape architecture are vital, but they don’t solve social issues alone.”
Edward Keegan of the Chicago Tribune notes: “There was nothing obvious about this old Bloomingdale Line that led to its revival as a park. Yet, many residents recognized its potential and dedicated years of effort, now rewarded with its enduring beauty.”
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