How to reclaim the Chicago River
The following report was written by Lucas Wolman.
When you look at the Chicago River running through the city, you will see one thing more clearly than anything else, sheet metal walls where riverbanks used to be. These walls have removed the riverbank habitat and destroyed the home of flora and fauna alike. Since these walls simply cannot be removed, Urban Rivers’ aim is to return the river habitat to Chicago’s urban waterways by building artificial floating gardens. These gardens are filled with native wetland plants that provide food, shelter, and overall high-quality habitat for native wildlife. These sanctuaries aren’t just limited to the animal species which inhabit the river however, but human communities by installing floating boardwalks, enabling everyone to enjoy the river.
The Wild Mile Extension
Over the two months I spent with Urban Rivers, a historic project was taking place; the first extension of the Wild Mile. This was the first time since 2021 that there had been any change to the existing 400 ft long boardwalk. And now it was going to nearly double in length. The process started with new anchors being installed in the riverbed. A team of specialist divers were brought in for this installation, and over the course of a couple of days, they installed about ten anchor points needed for the new boardwalk. Equipped with a neon yellow crane boat and a diving suit that looked like something that belonged to a horror movie, they were working relentlessly to connect the bungee anchors that keep the boardwalk from floating away while still allowing it to rise and fall with the significant tidal changes in the Chicago River. The boardwalk pontoons that had been delivered the week prior were craned into place, and within just one day all the sections were in place, anchored, and connected. We then began to mobilise the volunteers to help with installation at the Block Party, the largest event Urban Rivers runs each year.
The Block Party
The Block Party is Urban Rivers primary chance to perform large-scale outreach activities, and it serves as a major draw to both the Wild Mile and the organisation. The Block Party itself was a 12-hour extravaganza. I was responsible for talking about the new extension to the Wild Mile and I’d like to think that I did quite a strong job motivating people to join the cause because when construction shifts came around a month later, they were all fully subscribed to. At one point someone voiced concerns about how the boardwalk would be able to still float with all the people who had offered to help were stood above it. With the great generosity of the volunteers in the installation phase, the Wild Mile was extended.
Conclusions
My experience with Urban Rivers and my time in Chicago is something I will never forget, and it has changed my outlook on my life in so many ways. I would never call myself an extrovert, or particularly outgoing, but I made every attempt to seize this opportunity of a “clean slate” with both hands. All the people I met: the Urban Rivers staff, the other interns, the Rangers and volunteers, people from the synagogue I went to, people I met at Lollapalooza, and so many others from all over the place, will all stay with me. The places I visited will stick in my memory just as well. Chicago in the summer could not be a more majestic host if it tried. There was interest around every corner, each building stuffed full of intrigue, a whole new world to explore all on my doorstep.
My time at Urban Rivers changed my life. The people I met, the things I did, and the experiences I had have completely reframed my attitude about life. Coming from a background in engineering, to have taken on a role focused on social and environmental sustainability, was so refreshing.
