The Bloomingdale Trail used to be a 2.7-mile railrod on the northside of Chicago. The Chicago government converted it into an elevated public park after the railroad had been unused for years. I visited the trail now called the 606 this afternoon. We were asked to observe the trail by using a specific garden design theory. I chose Roger Ulrich's Theory of Supportive Garden Design. (I used ART last time). Principals of Ulrich's theory are listed below:
Create opportunities for physical movement and exercise
Provide opportunities to make choices, seek privacy and experience a sense of control
Provide settings which encourage people to gather together and experience social support
Provide access to nature and other positive distractions
Create opportunities for physical movement and exercise
Apparently, most of the people come to the 606 are here for exercising. Jogging and running are the most popular activities in the 606. The whole trail is covered with special material to make it more comfortable and friendly for people to either run or ride a bike. And the lanes are painted differently to distinguish their functions.
Provide opportunities to make choices, seek privacy and experience a sense of control
In some segments of the trail, there is a secondary path for users to choose. The secondary paths are usually curved to create a different experience. They are also separated by trees and shrubs from the main route which makes them quieter and more private spaces. Benches are also provided without facing to the main road to provide privacy.
Provide settings which encourage people to gather together and experience social support
There are also a bunch of stepped benches along the trail. These benches could really be used as a gathering space for users. The stepped bench is a great bump-out spot for communicating and other social activities. But still, I think there is a lack of bump-out spaces along the whole 606. If the trail could offer more stepped benches or bump-out nodes for people to rest or gather, in my point of view, it would be more community friendly.
Provide access to nature and other positive distractions
Murals and statues could be seen everywhere along the trail. These artworks make the 606 a even more lively space to experience. Needless to say the great landscape, along the trail, "The 606’s landscape rewards visitors with an ever-changing display of flowering shrubs, deciduous trees, and perennial flowers and grasses. Plants chosen for their seasonal interest also attract and provide habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies."* By doing that, the 606 formed its own micro-ecosystem. Various events and researches are associated with the plants and landscape of the 606, such as track the bloom dates to learn about the city’s micro-climate.
My whole experience about the Bloomingdale trail was that it provides great opportunities for physical activity, public gathering, community improvement. If more bump-out spots could be installed, it would be even better.
* A living work of art - The 606, https://www.the606.org/visit/maps/landscape/
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