Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Ken Griffin and the Chicago Park District joined local officials and hundreds of residents from neighborhoods across Chicago to celebrate the completion of the Lakefront Trail Separation project. From Ardmore Avenue on the north to 71st Street on the south, the 18-mile Lakefront Trail is now separated into two distinct trails for cyclists and pedestrians.

“The Lakefront Trail will now be even more enjoyable for the thousands of walkers, runners and cyclists who flock to the trail every day,” said Mayor Emanuel. “In the spirit of Daniel Burnham’s vision that we make no little plans for the City in a Garden, I am thrilled that our children will inherit a lakefront even more vibrant, more beautiful, more prosperous, and more inclusive than ever before."

Mayor Emanuel laid out plans for the Lakefront Trail Separation project in March 2016 when he announced Building on Burnham, the comprehensive plan to invest in Chicago’s lakefront, the riverfront, natural areas and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods across the city. Since 2011, 1,000 acres of parks have been acquired and 5.5 miles of riverfront access have been developed, and more than $1 billion in capital investment from neighborhoods and private sources have been made to expand Chicago’s park system.

Construction began in Fall 2016 from 31st Street to 41st Street, and continued along the 18-mile trail to alleviate congestion and improve the experience for cyclists and pedestrians. Initial funding was provided by the Chicago Park District. Completion of the project was made possible by a generous donation from Ken Griffin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel.

“The lakefront trail is one of the defining features of our great city,” said Founder and CEO of Citadel, Ken Griffin. “Coming together to solve challenges is what we do in Chicago, and I am thrilled that this project helps ensure all Chicagoans can safely enjoy the trail and our beautiful lakefront.”

The Lakefront Trail provides important access to the lake for recreational purposes, and has increasingly become an active transportation route for many Chicagoans.

“Running along the lakefront is perhaps the most scenic, exhilarating experience any Chicago runner can have. Thanks to Ken Griffin, that experience is now enhanced not only for runners but cyclists, walkers, people with strollers and others,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael Kelly. “The Lakefront Chill 5K is a celebration of this incredible gift to our city and wonderful reason for hundreds of people to join us in breaking in Chicago’s new trail.”

Completion of the Lakefront Trail Separation project was celebrated at the Lakefront Chill 5K, which brought together hundreds of runners, walkers and wheelchair pushers of every skill level. The 3.1 mile course was free for participants, and ran from Waldron Drive through Museum Campus, up to Monroe Street and back down the Lakefront Pedestrian Trail to end at the Burnham Harbor Lot by Soldier Field. The 5K was filled past capacity in the first week registration was open.

The lakefront, which spans 26 miles across the city, has seen continued investments under Mayor Emanuel. This includes improvements to the 31st Street Beach Harbor, and Steelworkers’ Park at 87th Street and the transformation of the historic Theater on the Lake into a year-round performance and special events venue.

As part of the Chicago Shoreline Protection Project completed in 2016, Fullerton Revetment stabilized the shoreline along the Theater on the Lake. The $31.5 million Shoreline Protection Project included 1,700 feet of new revetment to manage overtopping wave flows, which created 5.8 acres of park space.

There have been significant investments to build and improve infrastructure to connect residents to the lakefront. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has led the reconstruction of the 31st Street, 39th Street and 43rd Street Bridges. Just two blocks south of Oakwood, CDOT is constructing a pedestrian and bike bridge at 41st Street over South Lake Shore Drive. In 2016, CDOT completed work on the architecturally striking new pedestrian and bike Bridge at 35th Street.

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is one of the busiest in the United States. Used by cyclists, joggers and people enjoying the scenery, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people per day use the trail during summer weekends according to a study by the Active Transportation Alliance (ATA).

“The newly separated trail makes it safer and easier for everyone to travel along the lakefront,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “It’s exciting to see decades of advocacy pay off in an improved trail experience for all who walk, run and bike along the lake.”

"A separated Lakefront Trail is a big win for the running community,” said Greg Hipp, Executive Director of CARA. “From the typical long run to a major weekend running event, the Lakefront Trail has long been the hotspot of Chicago running. Already one of the best places to run, both locally and nationally, we are excited to see the effect a safer and more accessible trail will have on opportunities to get involved in the Chicago running community."

The Chicago Park District is a Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,800 acres of parkland, more than 605 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 11 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.