Here’s How Chicago Is Slowly Becoming An Urban Oasis

You might not think of the Windy City as an environmental refuge. After all, we’ve all seen stories about pollution, crime, and other issues that plague big cities.

But local leaders are pursuing a plan to address those problems by getting more in tune with nature.

Here are a few examples:

• Northerly Island: This property on Lake Michigan was once home to a notoriously busy airport. In recent years, however, it’s been turned into a park with tons of natural features. Its manmade boundaries are gradually giving way to the water’s erosion as birds, fish, and other species of animals make their way back to the area.
• Field Museum: One of the world’s largest natural history museums was built with strategic design elements that emphasized the structure itself. In recent years, however, the Rice Foundation Native Garden has taken center stage with vegetation that naturally grows in the area. This has nurtured the population of butterflies, bees, birds, and other animal species.
• Millennium Park: At first glance, this might look like a tourist attraction … and in a way it really is. But that masks the fact that it also serves as the largest “green roof” on the planet. With more than 24 acres of vegetation built over train tracks and parking lots, the area also utilizes solar energy and includes a natural method to reduce storm runoff.
• River Walk: A big part of this project involves cleaning up the Chicago River, which has allowed visitors to get closer than ever to this important natural element. There are 17 honey locust trees along the River Walk, each of which is fed with rainwater directed through the architecture of their surroundings. “The Wild Mile” is currently in development and brings real nature into the center of one of America’s biggest cities.

Chris Agee May 16th, 2023

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