A new 400-meter public trail was recently opened along the Chicago River as part of the first phase of Southbank development, which is currently under construction.
Designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, this one-hectare park and river promenade are the latest addition to the overall development of nearly three hectares. The site includes trees, shrubs and grasses selected for their beauty, resilience and low need for maintenance. It also offers a waterfront observation platform, a launching ramp for kayaks, and the possibility of a future water taxi stop.
Stretching between Harrison Street and the River City Apartments, along the south branch of the river, the promenade is covered with 836 square meters of Kebony modified wood, chosen specifically for its weather resistance.
"We were looking for new materials resistant to the Midwestern climate", explains Hoerr Schaudt's senior partner. “What sparked my interest was the fact that it does not require treatment, and that it has been tested in the harsh climates of Scandinavia. "
A stone amphitheater in adjacent Southbank Park will host small public events and concerts, and although privately funded and maintained, these open spaces will be available to the public. The Southbank Boardwalk is a taste of what the revitalized South Branch of the Chicago River might look like. The new segment will eventually be joined by another trail crossing the Riverline development immediately to the south. Beyond that, a 30-meter-wide public promenade is planned as part of the large mixed-use development known as The 78.
