Bloomingdale Bike Trail controversy precedes the actual trail

Right now the abandoned elevated rail line along Bloomingdale Ave. in northwest Chicago is frequented by restless teenagers and the occasional transient. But there's a plan to transform the deteriorating tracks into a three-mile paved bike trail with benches, lighting, and fencing.

Though it would not be built for several years, there are groups actively campaigning for the creation of the Bloomingdale Trail as a way of bringing more park space to a community starved for green.

The unused portion of the track runs along Bloomingdale Avenue from Kimball Avenue on the west to Ashland Avenue. on the east, and goes through four aldermanic wards including the neighborhoods Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Wicker Park, and Bucktown.

The Trust for Public Land, a national non-profit that works to conserve land is, along with the city, leading the planning of the Bloomingdale Trail. So far, the Trust has spent 2 million dollars buying properties to be used for access to the elevated trail.

But although construction is years away, there is already a lively debate as to whether the trail may increase criminal activity, accelerate gentrification and destroy the natural beauty that already exists there.

While some residents worry what would happen if the trail is built, supporters believe the park will decrease crime, that gentrification is going to happen anyway, and that there's no natural beauty there to be destroyed.

Beth White, director of the Trust's Chicago office, said she has not run across any organized groups opposing the proposed park.

"In all the conversations that I've had, and all the meetings that I've been to-I get questions about safety and security issues.but so far, everybody's very supportive of the concept."

Yet some people are worried building a public park that runs through their backyard could invite trouble. Former Alderman Ted Matlak of the 32nd ward has been quoted as saying he was reluctant to construct a park that would run through people's backyards.

Current Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd ward is enthusiastic about the plan. "I can't think of anything better to do with it. I think it's a great idea."

Julia Kim is the executive director of Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail, a grassroots organization that formed to make the trail a reality.. She supports responsible management of the trail, and would be in favor of having police patrol it on bikes and installing surveillance cameras to ensure that residents feel secure.

White believes building the park will decrease the potential for criminal activity. "Right now it's a place where people can hide," White said. "We've met with the police department of the 14th district and they believe, as we do, that when it does become a park, it's going to become much safer."

Maya Chavez, a resident of Logan Square, went exploring the path one afternoon last September with a friend. Among the weeds and bushes that have grown up on the neglected tracks, she saw trash, a makeshift shelter, stuffed animals, beer bottles, and discarded syringes.

"Once we saw them [the syringes] we thought we better get out of here before we actually encounter somebody. We didn't want anything strange or bad to happen," Chavez said.

Kim Frieders, an artist with the Bloomingdale Mural Project, said "It's so dangerous to ride your bike around the city, so I really look forward to the day that they make that a nice, safe place for people to get our and enjoy fresh air and exercise," said Frieders. "I think the neighborhood's going to really love it."

Lucy Gomez, health organizer of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association that works to create and preserve affordable housing in the community, said that she supports the plan. "We are doing outreach with long time residents who do not feel this is for them but for the new incoming residents. We want this to be for everyone."

"Gentrification is happening with or without the trail. But our job is to provide parks to people who need them," White said.

One Chicago resident, however, is strongly opposed to the plans for a different reason.

"Climbing up the trail, you discover an entirely different world," said Mike Scheitler, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than a decade. "I counted almost eighteen different varieties of trees, I've seen the tracks of either a fox or a young coyote up there, I've seen a fox, I saw a rabbit, you could hear the birds-all you had to do was climb up the side of the embankment and get up into the trail.

"And once you walked for a few minutes, you felt transported. You were in the midst of Chicago and yet, somehow, above it. It got quiet, and beautiful, and it was quite a natural, wonderful place."

Chavez doesn't see it that way. "There's not much natural beauty up there right now," It's in a rather dilapidated state.you see people have been up there doing intravenous drugs, drinking alcohol."

"There is no specific timetable for trail construction at this point," said Brian Steele, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Transportation. "But we're working toward that by meeting with communities, honing the specific design plans, and of course, pursuing funding."

The federal Surface Transportation Board has not yet approved the abandonment of the rail property, and therefore the city has not officially acquired the land. The Chicago Park District will take ownership of the trail once the land is formally transferred to the city. Steele estimated that if all goes smoothly, the trail would be ready for public use in five to ten years.

On May 17 and 18, Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail will offer a guided walking tour along Bloomingdale Avenue, below where the trail would be. Visit www.bloomingtontrail.org for details.