The 606 Debuts as Part of
Chicago's Urban Sponge

by TODD STOLARSKI | June 11, 2015

After 14 years of planning, Chicago's highly anticipated urban trail, The 606, officially opened 6/6 to wonderful weekend weather and wide public acclaim. A 2.7-mile-long former rail line, 'The 606' bears a distinctly modernist feel yet keeps a historic sense of what was. Bearing over 140 different species of foliage and LED lamps overhead, the exposed rebar from what was built over 100 years ago still remains as a reminder of what can still stand tall a century from now.

Compared to New York City's popular High Line trail, The 606's opening festivities were highlighted by an appearance from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. Snaking out across the city through the neighbourhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown, the new green trail feeds into Peter Ellis' belief of the smart city of tomorrow acting as an urban sponge.