Workshop Explores South Branch Connectivity Planning

Friends’ professional planning team recently participated in a workshop for residents hosted by a University of Illinois at Chicago Master of Urban Planning and Policy Riverfront Regeneration Studio class who are working with the McKinley Park Development Council to propose riverfront concepts that incorporate environmental, mobility, and cultural components to increase connectivity to the South Branch confluence with Bubbly Creek. The students facilitated a Community Focus Group, followed by a larger community event hosted by McKinley Park Development Council as part of their planning process.

The workshop included a diverse group of residents, businesses, and property owners from the McKinley Park, Bridgeport, and Chinatown neighborhoods who share their unique perspectives about the accessibility challenges and opportunities in the area.

“These well-organized community conversations are an excellent opportunity for our team to hear directly from river neighbors about how people access the river today and want to in the future” said Adam Flickinger, Friends’ planning director. “The ideas we heard further demonstrate the growing desire to expand passive public spaces on the South Branch to provide the opportunity for respite and family-friendly recreation to these neighborhoods. We will use the perspectives as we continue to advocate for enhanced and expanded nature-focused river edge open spaces on Chicago’s South Side.”

The findings from the student led study will inform recommendations that will be incorporated into a larger river-connectivity framework plan led by the McKinley Park Development Council and supported by Living Habitats landscape architecture firm and a Chicago Community Trust grant.

Friends' Amy Heldman (center) speaks to the UIC Master of Urban Planning and Policy Riverfront Regeneration Studio class.