Eliezer Appleton (bottom right) has visited all 77 Chicago neighborhoods four times, and he's planning a fifth trip this year. [Photos by Eliezer Appleton]
CHICAGO — Eliezer Appleton has visited all 77 Chicago community areas four times — all on his Diamondback Insight bike.
The West Ridge resident is looking for others who have either seen every city neighborhood — or plan to check them out.
Appleton on Monday started the Facebook group "Chicago 77 Challenge" for those who want to share valuable information on every official "community area" as designated by the city of Chicago. Community areas can technically include multiple neighborhoods.
"It would be great to exchange ideas with people," said Appleton, a University of Illinois graduate with a master's degree in business from Northeastern Illinois. "I don't know certain neighborhoods, and it would be great if people could tell us what blocks to look for."
Appleton sent the springs and summers of 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 peddling around the city and taking photos of every Chicago neighborhood. He's doing the challenge again this year with his wife, with cars this time around.
Appleton stressed all Chicago neighborhoods should be appreciated.
"I didn't feel unsafe in any of the neighborhoods when I was there," he said. "And talking about Chicago neighborhoods, who can get tired of that."
For more information on the "Chicago 77 Challenge," click here.
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