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Trail Design Draws on Students' Vision
By Claire Micklin
A few months ago, architect and Chicago
Public Schools instructor Yamani Hernandez was brainstorming
with Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Board member Peter Taylor ways
to engage the community in improvement plans for the South Side's
newly opened Major Taylor Trail.
But instead of using experts or consultants, Hernandez sought out
high school students
.
"This could be a good galvanizing tool to bring the (Chicago)
Park District, the (Cook County) Forest Preserve and the (Chicago)
Department of Transportation together and show them that youth are
coming up with a vision for the trail," she said. One aim of
the plan is to encourage the community’s ownership of the
trail.
The Major Taylor Trail Advisory Council asked that Hernandez to
manage the project.
And so, students from Morgan Park and Simeon High Schools have been
working since early July under the direction of architect and Chicago
Public Schools teacher Eldante Wilson.
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| South Side community members gathered
last month to clean up the Major Taylor Trail. |
They have designed trail elements like trash cans,
benches, trail markers, signs with accompanying audio elements and
water fountains for the multi-use trail that extends from Dan Ryan
Woods to Whistler Woods. One marker introduces Marshall "Major"
Taylor, the 19th century African-American world cycling champion
for whom the trail is named. Signs along the trail will also highlight
the history of the neighborhoods through which the trail passes.
Winston strongly believes in the power of design to improve public
space, and the value of teaching that to the students.
"One of the goals (of the project) is to learn how to use design
as a way to affect the environment in which we live," he said.
"This project will allow the students to become critical thinkers.
They will begin to understand that (the way) objects are placed
will change how people perceive a space."
During this six-week planning project, students will learn valuable
skills such as drafting, urban planning, math and architecture.
Winston hopes that these design improvements will increase the Major
Taylor Trail's visibility in the community.
"(The trail) seems to be a little underutilized now. There
are not a lot of lights. This probably hinders people from using
the trail. By providing consistent design elements, like having
signs and markers, people will see that the trail is much longer
than an eight-block stretch," he said of the trail that stretches
more than seven miles.
Once the project is completed, the students will present their trail
improvement plans to the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the
Chicago Department of Transportation. Hernandez sees the project
as a positive first step for the Major Taylor Trail and the surrounding
community.
"To me, it's a win-win situation for everybody. I wanted to
see some real progress start to happen. It's a community-based project
in a public place that benefits people in multiple neighborhoods,"
she explained. "The trail project also has the potential to
bring together various city organizations and the youth in the community."
Claire Micklin is a volunteer contributor to Bike Traffic.
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