Chicago planning America’s largest urban park

140,000 non-contiguous acres

Jay Blazek Crossley, Dec 20, 11.

Chicago plans to build America’s largest truly urban park on the city’s south side that could reach 140,000 acres, according to the Atlantic Cities.

The State of Illinois has put forward $17 million and is hoping to find private capitol to complete the Millennium Reserve, according to the state website announcing the project:

Improving the Environment by:
Managing and restoring the 6,000 acres of natural areas that contain important high-quality biological communities and support over 20 rare plants and 40 rare animal species.
Completing and connecting 53 miles of trails and wildlife corridors throughout the area, and promoting public access and recreational opportunities.
Expanding and connecting natural areas and habitats in a system of Green Infrastructure.

Improving the Economy by:
Modernizing the Illinois International Port District and creating thousands of new jobs.
Creating a destination region for tourists and visitors, which will create jobs in a newly developed tourism industry.
Increasing property values for home owners near the Reserve and the over $2 billion per year spent as a result of outdoor recreation in Illinois.

Improving the Community by:
Working with Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative to increase opportunities for kids to be physically active, and to create new opportunities for families to move together.
Reclaiming over 3,500 acres of underutilized lands and brownfields by using the innovative mud to parks/garden initiatives, renewable native biomass production, garden nurseries, organic farming, etc.
Connecting communities and people to their cultural, industrial and natural history through trails, interpretation and other creative opportunities.