Celebrating riverfront progress #GreatRiversChicago

In 2016, Our Great Rivers was released as the first-ever unifying and forward-looking vision for all three of Chicago’s rivers. The document included goals and targets for 2020, 2030, and 2040.

During this first milestone year, MPC has documented incredible progress to make our rivers more inviting, productive, and living. Between August 6 and Labor Day, we and many of our partners took to social media to celebrate the plans, projects, and passion that have improved the Chicago, Calumet, and Des Plaines rivers over the past four years.

Here are many of the stories we highlighted through the campaign. We invite you to check them out, get inspired, and continue the conversation by using #GreatRiversChicago whenever you post about our region's amazing rivers.  

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“I grew up driving past this area to get up north. There is so much history here that is tied to my own background as a #ChineseAmerican who grew up immediately south, in the Chinatown area. This (Southbank) is the newest part of the south branch and Riverwalk which eventually will link to the north to downtown and south to the 78 property and into #Chinatown. I am fortunate to be able to take spatially distant walks with my dog to enjoy the River for its past and its future.” —Debbie Liu, MPC Community Engagement Associate #GreatRiversChicago

A post shared by Metropolitan Planning Council (@metroplanners) on Aug 8, 2020 at 8:08am PDT

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Murals are well suited to #riverfronts and trails, with their often linear and bold designs. A number of #murals near our region’s rivers express the cultural heritage of local communities. Along the El Paseo in #Pilsen, the El Abrazo mural, a project of the @elpaseogarden, @neighborspace, @pilsenita, @elmacheteillustrated, @kpfkpf, and other local artists honors the Mexican #immigrants who have shaped this Chicago neighborhood. The Major Taylor Trail, which crosses the #CalumetRiver in the south suburbs, you can learn about the life of World Champion track cyclist Major Taylor through a striking #mural painted on a bridge. At #PingTom in Chicago’s Chinatown, two murals—funded in part through Great Rivers Chicago—beautified the park’s underpass with a traditional landscape painting and a blue and white floral design inspired by Chinese porcelain. #greatriverschicago

A post shared by Metropolitan Planning Council (@metroplanners) on Aug 17, 2020 at 11:01am PDT

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“Steelworkers Park sits on the spot where the Calumet River and Lake Michigan meet. The park itself -- with remnants of massive factory walls that are now a climbing wall -- is an homage to the #industrial legacy of Chicago's rivers, which continues today. Local organizations are working to manage ongoing industrial uses and better connect this park with community through culturally relevant programming. They’re also pushing for the closure of a nearby waste disposal site, which could be converted as another park space. My family loves this part of region because of the mix of industrial and natural habitat aesthetic, the beautiful lakefront view, and of course, the #geocaches!” —Chloe Gurin-Sands, MPC Manager of Health Equity & Planning #GreatRiversChicago

A post shared by Metropolitan Planning Council (@metroplanners) on Aug 23, 2020 at 3:15pm PDT

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As part of the redevelopment of the Lathrop Homes as a mixed-income community on Chicago’s North Side, the Jimmy Thomas Nature Trail along the Chicago River was also reimagined. Named for a community resident who advocated for the trail, but passed away before it was completed, the trail features a striking curved bridge over the river. The trail also connects a playground, a dog park, and a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. #LathropHomes #GreatRiversChicago

A post shared by Metropolitan Planning Council (@metroplanners) on Aug 30, 2020 at 10:04am PDT

Shhh! @NatGeo touts the trails along the Chicago River, including the North Branch Riverview bridge, as one of the top “secret urban walks” in America. https://t.co/nnp9TWPBi2 #GreatRiversChicago pic.twitter.com/7iIfy2VI54

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 9, 2020

Openlands' Manager of Individual Giving and Special Events Abby Mattson took in this stunning view of the skyline at dusk while paddling near Ping Tom Park in Chicago. How are enjoying #GreatRiversChicago? @metroplanners pic.twitter.com/q3LpYFRJQN

— Openlands (@Openlands) August 6, 2020

A new report from @americanrivers explains how equitable investment in river restoration and #waterinfrastructure can be a path to #economicrecovery. https://t.co/9fzqsnMwZR pic.twitter.com/YIv7GHJAs5

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 14, 2020

MPC's very own @MPCJosh says the Hegewisch Marsh is his go-to #GreatRiversChicago spot. The nature getaway along the #CalumetRiver has provided peace and lots of family-fun during #socialdistancing. @calumetcollab @CalumetConnect pic.twitter.com/szcuKbVCDL

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 17, 2020

Great editorial! This special place at the Lake and the mouth of the #CalumetRiver deserves to be preserved as a park for the residents of the southeast side. #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/9hJF6N1y2r

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 18, 2020

In 2019, @CurrentWater began developing #H2NOWChicago, an effort to launch real-time #water quality #monitoring of microbial pollutants in the #ChicagoRiver. Learn more at https://t.co/HyFXTdDtdZ. pic.twitter.com/EjN4y6NPVb

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 21, 2020

We're challenging you to take a #GreatRiversChicago selfie at our local Ping Tom Park! Be sure to post it and tag @metroplanners on Twitter and Instagram. https://t.co/yLnEbfmJmS

— CBCAC Chicago (@CBCACchicago) August 21, 2020

@wendellaboats provides the safest and socially distant entertainment available. It's a great way to see Chicago's awe-inspiring architecture, learn more about the city and relax and unwind. #supportlocal #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/qbm2RPJ3Sh pic.twitter.com/GnUk4YNvjo

— North Branch Works (@NBranchWorks) August 21, 2020

Steve Koch with @ChiTrust has been enjoying the boat house landing just north of Belmont Ave. #GreatRiversChicago pic.twitter.com/VG5PbgP9eA

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 25, 2020

Help support the #MajorTaylorTrail along the Little Calumet River, and celebrate the trail’s namesake world champion Black cyclist: https://t.co/YhNGwIzIVe pic.twitter.com/u1lEFnN0Co

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 27, 2020

The people of @CalumetCity have a vision for a canoe park on the #CalumetRiver that would reduce local flooding, improve natural habitat, and provide recreation. Check it out! @TNC_IL #GreatRiversChicago #StormStore pic.twitter.com/ihWUmlRLMQ

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 27, 2020

Here’s to our region’s river stewards, like the folks in this great short film about a Little #CalumetRiver clean-up day, produced by Calumet Film Series. #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/0dS3UOrj4k pic.twitter.com/bPmMnjZidh

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 28, 2020

Chicago’s River Design Guidelines from @ChicagoDPD will help ensure new developments along the river include inviting places for people and living habitat for wildlife. #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/OLP2bwDMNI

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 29, 2020

On your device or on the water, @Openlands new African American Heritage Water Trail story map takes you on a journey of part of our region that was integral to the Underground Railroad. #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/gzBdCbtFCL

— MPC (@Metroplanners) August 31, 2020

We loved these videos, @drbmdixon with @MajorTaylorChi! Once railroad tracks during her childhood, and now the #MajorTaylorTrail, this has always been Brenda’s favorite #GreatRiversChicago destination. pic.twitter.com/MGOEkFIMnd

— MPC (@Metroplanners) September 4, 2020

"When the lakefront closed because of #COVID19, my husband and I (with dog in tow) headed to #AlbanyPark to enjoy Chicago's other waterfront... Let’s make the rivers as iconic as the lakefront!" —Michael Davidson with @ChiTrust at River Park #GreatRiversChicago pic.twitter.com/sRCrGHMTXW

— MPC (@Metroplanners) September 1, 2020

Want to learn more about the science behind our region’s river ecologies? Check out @UrbanRivers podcast, with recent episodes on bats and native plants! #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/Zd9nfYXhUt

— MPC (@Metroplanners) September 2, 2020

Thank you, @ChiTrust, for making our #GreatRiversChicago work possible. MPC is continuously grateful for our partnership! pic.twitter.com/1kWcuKgi5x

— MPC (@Metroplanners) September 4, 2020

Rivers are vital to our region’s economy and construction. Watch this @Ozinga video to learn how river barges haul materials and take traffic off our roads. #GreatRiversChicago https://t.co/Glwz8GVtm7

— MPC (@Metroplanners) September 6, 2020