Chicago’s Finest Marina Open House
Chicago’s Finest Marina Open House
September 28, 2024 ~ 12pm – 4pm
557 East 134th Place, Chicago, IL 60827
*Parking is limited, carpooling encouraged*
FREE
Chicago’s Finest Marina, Friends of the Chicago River, and Openlands invite you to an Open House at Chicago’s Finest Marina (CFM), the only Black-owned marina in Chicago on the Calumet River, a documented significant site for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad and one of the central features of the African American Heritage Water Trail. Join us for a fun afternoon of exploring the marina, connecting with community organizations, and paddling on the river!
Chicago’s Finest Marina has been supporting boaters in the Riverdale community for nearly 20 years. With the recent designation of the Ton Farm (where CFM is located) as an Underground Railroad site by the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom Program and its inclusion on the African American Heritage Water Trail (AAHWT), the marina is ready to expand its role in the community by welcoming the public in to learn about the site and the partners who work together to bring awareness to the region.
Openlands website says, “The African American Heritage Water Trail was created to better connect people to the Little Calumet River and raise awareness of the significant history that the region contains. The Little Calumet River flows through several south-side Chicago neighborhoods and 180 years of African American history, including sites like Ton Farm, which served as a stop for freedom seekers navigating the Underground Railroad. After launching in 2020, the trail received substantial press attention, including a feature in the New York Times’ ’52 Places For A Changed World’ list.”
We hope this Open House serves to connect people to the river and provide interpretation and recreational boating access to the AAHWT through two rounds of paddling with Friends’ experienced canoe guides at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. - Canoe space is limited so registration is requested. In addition, this event is designed to share Friends’ riverbank planting project with the community, connect local residents and organizations around possible trails and programming in the area, and build awareness in the community of the marina’s capacity to host events.
Please register to let us know you are coming!
