- My dog, my park, and my city
- Lakefront Attractions
- Dedicated Runner
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is an 18.5-mile long trail. It lays in-between Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive. The Lakefront Trail reaches South 71st Street all the way North to Hollywood Beach. The Trail consists of a walking path and a biking (or rollerblading) path. At moments the Lake front trail will be parallel to Lake Shore Drive and the lake. Parks or beaches mostly surround the path.
The Lakefront Trail serves as a pedestrian (or biker) connection to many major attractions of the city. Starting up North the Trail brings people to Hollywood Beach, Belmont Harbor and it’s parks, Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo, the Nature Museum and the conservatory, North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, Navy Pier, Grant Park, Monroe Harbor, The Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Planetarium), Soldier Field, South Shore Cultural Center and the Museum of Science and Industry. In Chicago’s warm months the Trail becomes crowded with athletes, pedestrians, and people lounging on the grass. The Trail brings people out to appreciate Lake Michigan, a unique fresh body of water.
The Trail provides an uninterrupted and safe place for people to exercise outdoors. It is also a car-free and monetary free way to arrive to Chicago’s attractions. The Lake Front Trail’s natural beauty encourages exercise or just getting out to breath in the fresh air of the lake and parks. The Lake Front Trail is great for people’s health for this reason. The other welcoming part about the Lake Front Trail is that it is accessible. It does not isolate any neighborhood from entering the Trail. At each major intersection there is an entrance to the Trail. The entrances may be subtle or may be points of interest or a park. The Trail scene in the summer is a diverse group of people, ages, and activities.
The Trail is not athletically competitive. Bikers may speed or struggle by, runners run at whichever pace they please and pedestrians are respected. I think the absence of cars is what makes this Trail so relaxed. The Lake Front Trail physically good for people’s health when they use it to walk or ride down for miles. Also the Trail is great for the city of Chicago’s health as people are out there, eating, maybe shopping, and visiting the city’s attractions. The Lake Front Trial creates circulation in the city.
It is a unique and unifying feature to the city. Chicagoans know the feeling of finally being able to walk down the path after long months of winter. Although you can spot athletes embracing the Trail during the winter! People who live in Chicago really enjoy long walks along the Lakefront Trail.
“Chicago Lakefront trail.” traillink.com. Trail Link. Web. 3 Feb 2014. <http://www.traillink.com/trail/chicago-lakefront-trail.asp&xgt;.
“The Lakefront Trail.” choosechicago.com. Choose Chicago. Web. 3 Feb 2014. <http://www.choosechicago.com/articles/view/The-Lakefront-Trail/454/>.
UPP 101 - Spring 2014 
Great post! I believe the trails benefit us in a healthy way. It also gives us an opportunity to get to know our city a little better. It would be nice to have these trails implemented everywhere. From an urban planner perspective, trails should be used as an eco friendly system. It will promote a healthier lifestyle.
This was really interesting, its amazing to me that a 18.5 mile trail can actually exist in a city of this size. Especially one that is not of tropical climate or a city that has miles and miles of beaches to act as a natural trail. It would be cool if they can implement this in the middle of the city somewhere, even if street lights are in the way it would be cool to turn a street into a themed trail.
Excellent post. Many people don’t know but the running community is huge in Chicago and being able to have such a wonderful trail along the lakeside is just amazing. We should have more trails like this around the city. It definitely encourages people to go out and be active. These trails can be used to bike, run or simply go for a walk. It promotes a healthier lifestyle and its also eco-friendly. Less cars more bikes.
Amazing post! I love riding my bike along the lake it is amazing enviroment. the views from either side of the city are gorgeous. From an Urban planner eyes this is great because it promotes people to walk or bike and to be able to view the city of chicago and to view the lake as well. I also love how some parts of the path they have places to rest and just take in the view.
Derek