The 606 opens (Chicago, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn: house, construction, live)

[Drover]

Well, except that the Logan Square gentrification wave has heretofore mostly overlooked much of the neighborhood adjacent to the trail.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Drover

Yep, the usual crowd was already complaining about "gentrification" before the trail even opened.

"Wah! Our neighborhood is benefiting from a massive public works project! WAAAAHHH!!"

Shaddap.

It's a no win. If you don't do improvements, certain people complain that it's not equal investment to nicer neighborhoods. If you do improvements, other people complain that it is encouraging gentrification.

Uptown was the worst for this. Any new streetscaping or efforts to pick up garbage were considered bourgeois attempts to roll out the red carpet for yuppy gentrification. The only "acceptable" improvements were garish "community art projects" like murals showing smiling faces of minority children or civil rights leaders. Meanwhile the gutters flowed with urine and feces and the neighborhood crumbled.

[Bellamouse]

We just moved to Florida from Chicago, and cannot get over the quality of the bike trails here as compared to home. The trail right near our home here in Florida has built in bicycle pumps, TOOLS to fix your bike!, dog poop bag stations and tons of benches and garbage cans. I read there's even a shower somewhere along the trail, but I haven't seen that for myself yet. And they run for loooong stretches (not 2.7 miles - that would only take about 15 minutes to do on a bike). And the taxes here are much, MUCH lower. We wonder how they manage to have such wonderful amenities here with such low property taxes.

Not to knock the development in Chicago - glad you all are liking the new trail. But it doesn't compare to what some other cities are doing.


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Directions for fixing your bike:

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[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Bellamouse

And they run for loooong stretches (not 2.7 miles - that would only take about 15 minutes to do on a bike).

the Grand Illinois Trail is 575 miles
Grand Illinois Trail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
the Prarie Path alone is 60 miles
http://www.ipp.org/
Whats your point exactly? Youre comparing apples and oranges.

the 606 isnt a "bike trail", although bikes can use it. Its an urban multi-use park built on a disused freight line.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by via chicago

the Grand Illinois Trail is 575 miles
Grand Illinois Trail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
the Prarie Path alone is 60 miles
Illinois Prairie Path - Founded in 1963
Whats your point exactly? Youre comparing apples and oranges.

the 606 isnt a "bike trail", although bikes can use it. Its an urban multi-use park built on a disused freight line.

Yeah - apples and oranges. The bike repair stuff is pretty new. I grew up in a city with miles upon miles of bike paths and at least when I grew up was highly rated in the US for it. Never once saw bike repair station. I actually know of a bike repair station on Milwaukee Ave in Chicago though it's not on a trail or anything.

[jdiddy]

Actual new bike trail:

Map | Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail

Soon to come:

North Branch Trail Southern Extension - Forest Preserves of Cook County

[Bellamouse]

Most all trails are built on disused freight lines, including the one near our current home. I am just pointing out that I think the City could do a better job even in making things NICE for the people who live in the community.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Bellamouse

I am just pointing out that I think the City could do a better job even in making things NICE for the people who live in the community.

Um, you are posting in a thread about a new 100 million dollar community amenity. And all you can do is complain about its shortcomings, despite having removed yourself from the community.

[jwaiter]

Don't worry, it's very nice.

[Bellamouse]

Originally Posted by via chicago

Um, you are posting in a thread about a new 100 million dollar community amenity. And all you can do is complain about its shortcomings, despite having removed yourself from the community anyway. Are dog poop bag dispensers the holy grail for you?

I didn't complain about anything. Perhaps you missed the part where I said specifically, "Not to knock the development in Chicago..." But having JUST left a few weeks ago, and just arrived here a few weeks ago, the contrast is stark. We lived near the path at Nagle/Devon for 20 years and used it extensively. We just couldn't get over the difference in the way they do things here vs back home. I am just saying that considering the kind of taxes Chicago charges, the amenities should be up to par with what other cities are doing.

Please, enjoy your new park (and I agree that it is nice, and a heck of lot better than what was there before, which was nothing). But I think you all should be demanding better for the money you pay (and that I am currently still paying as well until my home there is sold).