CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined the Chicago Park District and local elected officials Thursday to celebrate the upcoming reopening of the lakefront and announce a new donation that will go toward repairing damage on the lakefront caused by rising water levels and erosion.
Mayor Lightfoot announced Ken Griffin, philanthropist and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel, donated $4.75 million to the Chicago Park District "that will go toward helping repair this trail that has sustained serious damage in recent storms and build other protection measures for future storms and high waters as well as strengthen the shoreline in key areas along the lakefront here on our beautiful South Side.
"All of which builds on the multi-departmental work our city has done in coordination with our state and federal partners. And let me say again, a great deal of thanks goes to the Army Corps of Engineers and particularly the regional district here, who have been fearless advocates for the lakefront. And we will continue to fight to make sure we get proper federal funding so that we can finish the work to protect our lakefront for years to come," the Mayor said.
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In February, Lightfoot said, they were down at La Rabida and noted then that something needed to be done to protect the lakefront.
"Something still needs to be done," Lightfoot said. "We need to make sure the Army Corps of Engineers is empowered to conduct the study that is the gating issue for us to find the funding to prepare out lakefront once and for all. We will continue to press the case with our federal partners because this lakefront is not only a jewel for the city of Chicago, it's a jewel for the region. And what needs to be done, needs to be done here, as well as Indiana and Michigan. We all have a connected interest in making sure that our lakefront is strong and vital and doesn't disappear into the lake, because of rising lakefront waters. So we need to get that job done, and this is just one step in the right direction."
RELATED: Lakefront Trails Reopen After Winter Storm; Repair Crews, Residents Work To Clean Up Area
The Mayor said the timing of this announcement is especially important as the city is just days away from "cautiously reopening" the lakefront trail to commuters and those using it to exercise.
"With that in mind, I am also excited to announce that in addition to our cautious lakefront reopening on Monday, we will also be lifting some restrictions on another beloved Chicago trail - that's the 606," she said.
Like the lakefront, the 606 will be open to anyone looking for the opportunity to run, bike, or walk "or enjoy the outdoors," Lightfoot said, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. But also like on the lakefront, the city is going to emphasize "to keep it moving."
"We want the public to enjoy these iconic opportunities and the outdoors, but we want everyone to do this safely. And we must make sure that we are mobile and moving along the lakefront, along the 606, along the Riverwalk, and other outdoor activities. It's critically important that we not congregate. Congregation is the worry and concern about spreading COVID-19, which still is very much in our presence. But I'm excited we're going to be opening up these opportunities for members of the public to enjoy."
To help ensure the public adhere to the city's rules, the Park District will be working with volunteers who will serve as social distancing ambassadors.
"I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but I cannot emphasize this enough. Our reopening of any kind will only work if residents continue to act responsibly. Critically important. I know that all of us are happy to see our favorite spots beginning to reopen over these past few weeks, myself included. And what we have been seeing so far has been encouraging. We continue to make progress on all the public health metrics that we have been tracking for months.
"But, and this is a big important emphasis, we are also watching with great concern other states, other jurisdictions that opened up without cautiously doing so and where we are seeing huge surges in cases. In some instances, the highest case infections at any point in the arc of this virus. We're seeing that in other states that did not adhere to the social distancing guidance, that did not reopen cautiously. We will not allow that to be the narrative of Chicago. But that really depends upon each of you being smart, being careful, wearing masks when you're out in public, making sure that you're adhering to social distancing and continuing to do the hand hygiene requirements that we know make a huge difference," Mayor Lightfoot said.
Chicago Park District Superintendent Mark Kelly said "there is probably not a grander vista in Chicago than where we are standing right now, and it is truly one of the grandest vistas in all of the country, and it does feel great to be back on the lakefront."
But Kelly said, as the Mayor did, Chicago saw storms that they haven't seen in decades in late 2019 and into early 2020; and today, some of the water levels are still at the highest they have ever seen.
"We are blessed with this great lakefront, yet it's a blessing that carries responsibilities, and it's a responsibility to maintain and protect the shoreline and build and restore the lakefront trail for all residents today and future generations," Kelly said.
"We are all looking forward to it. I think that's the understatement of the year. We are all looking forward to getting back out on the lakefront. Keep it moving. You are going to see our signs everywhere. Keep it moving. You are going to see our ambassadors everywhere. You are going to see traffic management aids, everywhere. Keep it moving. No congregation. We are cautiously reopening."
Though, Kelly continued, "I cannot emphasize enough the importance of respecting the signage and the horses, fencing. A lot of the fencing folks are going to see along the lakefront is not just for 'Keep It Moving,' its for construction areas...This is to protect you from serious harm. So please, respect the signage."
Kelly said three sections of the trail will merge due to construction: from Fullerton to North Avenue, from North Avenue to Ohio (users will be directed to Lake Shore Drive), and from 43rd to 51st Street.
"Please pay attention. Obey the signage," he said.
The Mayor said as the city cautiously opens up the lakefront, "I just want to caution people again about the dangers of the lake. Every year we have way too many instances of drowning, because people underestimate the power of this lake. It is very powerful. It has a very heavy undertow. And I just want to make sure people are cautious. Parents watch your children. It is really important that we enjoy the lake, but we do so safely.:
The Mayor ended by reminding the public that the city has a number of people who are volunteering their time as social distancing ambassadors.
"They're there to help keep you safe. Please be respectful and be polite," she said.
The lakefront trail and 606 trail will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.