| June
2005 |
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Afternoon in the Intersection of Equality and Safety School and Ped Safety Bills Passed Taking It To the (Healthy) Streets DuPage County Observes Bike Day |
Crossing That Bridge By Keith Holt
Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham famously advised: “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will themselves not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die.” Recently, I reported on the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s advocacy for the Calumet-Saginaw Channel Trail, a proposed multi-use trail that runs 26 miles along the Cal-Sag, from the Indiana border to the I&M Canal Trail in Lemont. Burnham would smile. Regular meetings since September have engaged Cal-Sag communities, federal, state and local officials, numerous agencies and organizations and residents from no fewer than six communities. Much of the needed right-of-way to build the Cal-Sag Trail is available. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District claims most of it, and they’re willing to lease it for the trail. Cook County Forest Preserve District also owns a chunk of the right of way, supports the project and would consider being the lead agency for grant requests. David Landeweer of the planning/engineering firm URS Corp. (and a CBF member) is offering pro bono preliminary services to Cal-Sag communities. He and URS managed the financing, engineering and construction of the Salt Creek Trail in Chicago’s western suburbs. Environmental advocacy groups such as OpenLands,
Southeast
Environmental Task Force, the Canal
Corridor Association and Sierra
Club have put their backs into organizing and advocating for
the trail. U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski and Bobby Rush have pledged support and agreed to seek funding at the federal level. State Sen. Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) also has thrown his support behind the trail. Yet, we must fill more seats at the table before this trail can be built. Southland Coordinator Steve Buchtel and I are reaching out to public health organizations, community organizations, the disabled community - any potential stakeholders. We’ve tapped a big idea. With Burnham’s assurance, we’ll continue aiming high until our noble, logical diagram becomes the beautiful, useful and needed Cal-Sag Channel Trail. Keith Holt is Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s liaison to the African American community and Chicago’s South Side
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