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Environment
North River Commission strives to ensure that the diverse residents of the Northwest Side are meaningfully involved in environmental decision-making that impact the communities in our service area.
Chicago Region Trees Initiative
The North River Commission (NRC) has been awarded a $200,000 subgrant by The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to improve the community tree canopy.
With the grant money to be received from the CRTI program, the goal of the NRC is to not only plant trees but to connect with the youth and underrepresented to ensure that they have a voice when it comes to where trees are planted.
This grant will empower NRC to advance tree equity and expand education initiatives in Albany Park. By 2028, the goal is to plant up to 1000 trees in the neighborhood.
Park Advisory Councils
Park Advisory Councils (PACs) are the way that you can get involved to support and guide your local park.
PACs are voluntary groups of individuals who meet on a regular basis to support the effective functioning of their local park. Councils promote ways for the community to better utilize the Chicago Park District's programs and facilities; provide communication to the Chicago Park District on matters relating to their parks; increase community awareness of Chicago Park District projects; provide the community with a vehicle through which park information can be shared; and assist in locating alternate funding sources to enhance park facilities.
Interested in joining or starting a Park Advisory Council? Find our more here.
NRC staff works with Park Advisory Councils across our service area to provide support for park initiatives and programs, promote opportunities and events, and make connections to resources for PACs to do their vital work of supporting our community's parks.
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A healthy urban environment is vital aspect of a thriving community; it enhances quality of life, public health, public safety, and economic development opportunities for local residents. North River Commission and the NRC Environment Committee envisions an environment that includes:
Community residents, civic organizations, and elected officials that are engaged and informed on local environmental issues and opportunities
Thriving public parks, open spaces, and natural areas
Healthy, clean, accessible, safe, and productive rivers
A robust network of active transportation options, including biking and walking
Reliable and affordable public transportation
A healthy urban forest
Homes, businesses, and schools that are safe, efficient, and resilient
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Confluence
Leveraging The Chicago River for Equitable Economic Development in Albany Park
Confluence is a planning project to improve and activate a series of sites at Lawrence Avenue and the Chicago River, to establish a stronger neighborhood gateway to Albany Park. The project will create a platform for lively economic activity, a space for authentic cultural expression, and a catalyst that spurs investment on Lawrence Avenue as a vital neighborhood commercial corridor.
North River Commission is currently undertaking a community-driven planning and implementation process that will envision a new, iconic, and dynamic riverfront destination that supports local business and bolsters new equitable investment in the Lawrence Avenue corridor.
Confluence is a project of Great Rivers Chicago, funded through Our Great Rivers, with generous support from the Chicago Community Trust and assistance from the Metropolitan Planning Council. Thank you to Perkins & Will and Omni Ecosystems for providing their generous pro-bono planning and design services and support on this project.
Project Area
Confluence focuses on the area at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and the Chicago River. The project area includes Ronan (River) Park, including the River Trail Plaza, and the Ronan Park Natural Area. The area also includes a city-owned, Neighborspace-managed, urban agriculture site that hosts Global Gardens Refugee Training Farm and the Peterson Garden Project. The project location also includes Meeting Tomorrow, a thriving business campus with a riverside office complex, warehouse, and parking area. Additionally, the project considers the North-South bike trail, which encompasses the Manor Greenway, portions of Lawrence Avenue, and trails within Ronan Park.
Project Description
Confluence is a community-involved process engaging neighborhood stakeholders with business owners on Lawrence Avenue, and residents of the surrounding communities to create a shared vision and series of improvements on site. The project will implement physical improvements and programming on site that will create amenities for residents and attractive features that draw visitors to the area, support local businesses, and spur further equitable economic development in Albany Park.
Planning Process
In the winter of 2020/2021, NRC worked with a community steering committee and the firms Perkins and Will, and Omni Ecosystems, representing a team of architects, landscape architect, green infrastructure experts, and urban designers, on a 12-week planning process. The process focused on community engagement to develop a concept and vision for the project.
NRC met with and listened to local residents, businesses, organizations, local government, and recreational users of Ronan and River Park. The purpose of this process is to get feedback on current perceptions and uses of this area and to build an ongoing relationship with members of the community as we move towards developing and facilitating improvements and programs in the area. We met with and spoke to stakeholders in multiple forms, including small group conversations, one-on-one meetings, steering committees, and public open houses on-site.
The planning process will help to realize the potential of this site as a neighborhood gateway. NRC is continuing to work with residents, businesses, organizations, and other local stakeholders to bring this project from planning to implementation.
For more information please contact:
Eve Miller
Project Lead
eve@northrivercommission.org
312-860-2144