606 (urban trail) facts for kids
The 606 is a special park and trail in Chicago. It's an elevated path built on old railroad tracks. This cool trail is a place where people can bike, walk, and run high above the city streets.
The 606 is located on Chicago's Northwest Side. It runs along Bloomingdale Avenue. The trail is about 2.7 miles long. It stretches from east to west across the city. The eastern end is at Walsh Park, near Ashland Avenue. The western end will be at Ridgeway Trailhead when the next part is finished. The 606 officially opened on June 6, 2015.
The first part of the 606 was finished in 2015. The City of Chicago helped create it. The Chicago Park District and the Trust for Public Land also worked on the project. The name "606" comes from the first three numbers of Chicago's ZIP Codes. This trail used to be an elevated train line. It was called the Bloomingdale Line and was built in 1915.
How the Trail Was Built
The 606 trail is like a bridge in the sky. It is about 17.5 feet above the streets at its highest point. Strong walls on each side hold up the trail. These walls were part of the original train line.
When they made the trail, they removed the old train tracks. They also took out the rocks and ties that held the tracks. New layers of soil were added on top of the old ground. Then, an 8-inch layer of concrete was put down. This top layer is 14 feet wide.
Trail Features
The middle of the trail is 10 feet wide. This part is for people riding bikes. On each side of the bike path, there is a 2-foot wide area. These areas are for runners and walkers.
Next to these paths are planted areas. You can see grass, trees, and lights there. In some spots, there are benches where you can rest. A fence or railing runs along the whole path. This keeps everyone safe. There are 17 ramps and one staircase to get onto the trail.
Awards and Recognition
The 606 trail is a very well-designed park. In 2016, a group called the American Planning Association gave it a special award. It won the National Planning Excellence Award for Urban Design. This award shows how great the trail is for city life.
Using the Trail
Since it opened, many people have used the 606 trail. Walkers, runners, and bicyclists enjoy it every day. It's a popular spot for exercise and fun.
The trail has also made the houses near it more valuable. The price of homes close to the trail has gone up. This change is bigger for houses west of Western Avenue.
See also
In Spanish: 606 para Niños para niños
