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5 New Lakefront 'Gathering Spaces' Coming to South Side, Rahm Says

By Joe Ward | March 21, 2016 12:17pm
 A drawing of one of the gathering spaces planned for the Burnham Wildlife Corridor.
A drawing of one of the gathering spaces planned for the Burnham Wildlife Corridor.
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City of Chicago

CHICAGO — Chicagoans soon will have new ways to enjoy the new Burnham Wildlife Corridor along the lakefront.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is slated to announce that five new gathering spaces will be built within the wildlife habitat that lines the lakefront path south of the Museum Campus.

The spaces will be meant as meet-up locations and rest spots for people wanting to get off their bikes and explore the native grasses and animals that reside in the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, the city said in a news release Monday.

The Burnham Wildlife Corridor is a 100-acre-long stretch of lakefront land that has been redeveloped to replicate the native prairie and savannah ecosystems that used to thrive in the city. Stretching from McCormick Place to 47th Street along the lakefront path, the area allows for migrating birds and other local animals to inhabit the land.

While much of the project has been completed, the redevelopment is still ongoing, according to the Chicago Parks District.

The five gathering spaces will be erected on both the east and west sides of Lake Shore Drive, according to the city. Built in conjunction with the Chicago Park District and the Field Museum, they will be completed by June, the city said.

Emanuel will discuss the project in a speech he will give Tuesday, according to his office.

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