The Chicago River is getting closer to having a stretch of floating plants, wetlands, kayak piers and public walkways.
The Shedd Aquarium and environmental nonprofit Urban Rivers have partnered to create native plant gardens in the Chicago River as part of a Wild Mile project, the Chicago Tribune reported .
"We can bring the river back," said Andy Casper, director of freshwater research at Shedd Aquarium. "We just need to show people, convince people."
The 260-square-foot (24-square-meter) "island" that will launch in July will include swamp rose mallow, marsh marigold, and Dudley's rush. It will join the 1,500 square feet (139 square meters) that Urban Rivers installed last year. The floating modules are made from coconut husks that are rolled into tubes and secured with plastic mesh and stainless steel frames.
nWhere: 1825 Short Street, Lisle
nHours: 3 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
nWhy Go: There is much to see in the skies of Lisle this summer, including hot air balloons and festive fireworks even before Independence Day. Those present can also check out the festival's carnival, kids area, live music and craft fair with the $8 tickets.
nWhere: Millennium Park
nHours: 6:30 p.m
nWhy Go: The music series began just before summer with an array of Soul Jazz and Indie sounds. This Thursday will be no different as Sons of Kemet (jazz) and Mélissa Laveaux (Indie rock and folk) take the stage. All concerts are free through August 16th and open to the public.
nWhere: Polk Bros. Park, 600 E. Grand Ave.
nHours: 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
nWhy Go: Chicago Soul Music Festival — Chi-Soul — includes musical acts that bring soul music front and center for free in honor of Black Music Appreciation Month. This Friday will feature Syleena Johnson (pictured) at Lake Stage, as well as The Right Now, Isaiah Sharkey, and the Dee Alexander Quartet at varying times and stages.
nWhere: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park
nHours: Times vary from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
nWhy Go: The German-Canadian virtuoso, Johannes Moser, makes his Grand Park Music Festival debut in Dvořák's Cello Concerto. Enjoy the sounds orchestra music with free seating in the Seating Bowl, on the lawn, or if you wish to be closer, tickets start at $26 (rain or shine).
nWhere: Varying locations (see below)
nHours: Dusk
nWhy Go: Get a head start on Independence Day fireworks throughout the weekend! For a full list of times and locations around the city and suburbs click here.
nWhere: Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave.
nHours: 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
nWhy Go: Dance the evening away with free dance lessons for the first three hours or if you're already a pro, enjoy music and dancing from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., rain or shine!
nWhere: Lawrence Avenue and Broadway Street
nHours: Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
nWhy Go: The Windy City Ribfest will mark its 10th anniversary when it makes its return this year. With live music, arts and crafts, and ribs, the $5 donation suggested entry seems little for all that you can experience at RibFest.
nWhere: 61 E. Madison Street
nHours: 11 a.m.
nWhy Go: Experience and taste a handful of Chicago's famous pizzas on a 20-mile trip in just under four hours. Adult tickets are marked as $60 and children are $36 for this cheesy adventure.
nWhere: Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave.
nHours: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
nWhy Go: Have a taste of design and interact with the current exhibit when you drop into the studio this summer. No ticketing or registration is required to attend the free Open Studio, but it is suggested you can call ahead to confirm hours for your visit at 312-922-8687.
nWhere:714 N. Wells Street
nHours: Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
nWhy Go: A gallery representative leads a guided tour of four galleries, rain or shine, except on major holiday weekends. No reservations are required, but people are encouraged to call 312-649-0064 for special details or large parties.
nWhere: 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago
nHours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
nWhy Go: At this museum, Mexican culture exists without borders as it presents vibrant, historical artistic expressions from Mexico as well as those of Mexican communities in the United States with free admission each day it is open.
nWhere: Division Street, Lincoln Park Market, Printers Row
nHours: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
nWhy Go: Farmers markets typically have a day in the week where local produce and food vendors cater to the community and Saturday is not exempt! Catch a farmers market on Division and Dearborn, Polk and Dearborn, or at the Lincoln Park Market at 700 W. Armitage Ave.
nWhere: 201 E. Randolph St.
nHours: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
nWhy Go: Get your weekend going at Millennium Park with pilates at 7 a.m., yoga at 8 a.m., strength training at 9 a.m., or Zumba dancing later in the morning, at 10 a.m. Beginners, experts and all that's in between are welcome to workout for free and misters will be available for the heat advisory this weekend.
nWhere: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe
nHours:8 A.M. to 6 P.M.
nWhy Go: Get some exercise and inspiration wandering the 385-acre peaceful respite north of Chicago that is the Botanic Garden. Entry is free, although there is a fee for parking if you drive to the location.
nWhere: 300 N. Central Park Ave.
nHours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Wed. it's 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
nWhy Go: The conservatory hosts creative exhibits and other programming for children and adults alike. Entry is free throughout the year and this Saturday, visitors can experience the Bee Demo. or to catch the exhibit of the month, The Persistence of the Unsorted, by artist Claire Pentecost.
nWhere: Start at 1766 Columbia Drive, Chicago
nHours: 11 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m.
nWhy Go: See the sights Chicago has to offer on foot. The walking tours start at the east side of the Clarence Darrow Memorial Bridge in the Chicago Park District parking lot off Science Drive. People are advised to wear proper attire like comfortable shoes, and although free tours take place every Saturday, rain or shine, they will be canceled if weather is considered "dangerous".
nWhere: Humboldt Park, Chicago
nHours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
nWhy Go: Tour de Fat encourages participants to show up in "self propelled, two wheel travel" and dress up in whatever attire makes them feel their best (capes are okay, wigs are okay). The tour has raised more than $5 million dollars for local bike non-profits and heads out to Boston next, so don't miss its Chicago date at $17.77 a ticket.
nWhere: 360 N. Street, Chicago
nHours: Vary on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
nWhy Go: SNL fans will appreciate getting to know how the show gets put together for every week, as well as historical and fun facts at the SNL Experience exhibit. Tickets are $25 or less for seniors or students, and admission is free for children under 12.
nWhere: 5020 S. Cornell Ave., Hyde Park
nHours: Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri.- Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun.12 to 5 p.m.
nWhy Go: With 15 exhibitions a year and over 45,000 visitors, people can art-watch and people-watch for free at the Art Center all summer.
nWhere: 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago
nHours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
nWhy Go: With a diverse collection of art, there is sure to be something for everyone in one of the thousands of pieces at the iconic Smart Museum. Admission is free.
nWhere: 100 S. Barnes Rd, Aurora
nHours: Vary from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
nWhy Go: Blackberry Farm was recently renovated, but it still hosts traditional favorites like the steam-engine replica train, carousel, hay wagon rides, and pedal tractors, including new features and amenities that make each visit an adventure. Admissions start at $6 with free admission for toddlers (or younger).
nWhere: 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
nHours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
nWhy Go: The northeast corner of Grant Park is not a typical lakefront recreation center for it features an enormous playground, climbing wall, and a skating ribbon.
nWhere: 4048 W. Armitage Ave., Hermosa
nHours: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
nWhy Go: Artists from Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane María have been painting a series of murals in collaboration with local artists in both Hermosa and Humboldt Park. This date will serve as the inauguration of the murals, commissioned by the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center with the support of the Chicago Community Trust and the Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities among others.
The island will include turtle logs, a waterfowl box and an underwater camera to provide a view of the fish.
"You can think of it as mixed use," Casper said. "If you want to revitalize a neighborhood, you need to have offices, grocery stores, residential. Well, what was missing from this section of the river was a lot of this vegetation, and we're just putting that mosaic back into the river."
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Project leaders said it will improve the canal's water quality, diversify the area and make it more user-friendly and attractive.
"The other thing that this programming with Shedd is going to allow us to do is open this up to all of Chicago, not just the affluent, white neighborhood that this is in," said George Brigandi, the director of marketing at Urban Rivers. "We want all Chicagoans to benefit from this and to experience wildlife in one of the largest metropolises in the United States."
Urban Rivers has raised more than $100,000 for the Wild Mile project through grants, donations and a Kickstarter campaign.
Copyright The Associated Press
