CHICAGO ~ Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood has a new addition to its green spaces with the completion of an expansion project on Winnslie Parkway. The project, which was celebrated by Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderman Matt Martin (47th), the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) alongside Friends of Winnslie Parkway and NeighborsSpace, was made possible by a grant of $303,000 from the City of Chicago's Open Space Impact Fee (OSIF) program.

The expansion nearly triples the length of Winnslie Parkway, adding over 1,000 feet of green space along the west side of the Ravenswood embankment. This investment in green space is seen as an investment in the health and well-being of the neighborhood by Mayor Johnson. He stated that "the expansion of Winnslie Parkway gives residents a place to gather, spend time outdoors, and connect with one another." He also emphasized his administration's commitment to working with communities across Chicago to create and improve public spaces that make neighborhoods stronger.

Alderman Martin also expressed his gratitude for everyone who worked together to make this expansion possible. He noted that Winnslie Parkway has always reflected the care and commitment that Ravenswood residents have for their neighborhood. The expansion builds on this legacy by creating more space for neighbors to gather and improving connections along the corridor.

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The grant from the Johnson administration was administered by DPD through the Open Space Impact Fee program. Additional support came from ComEd and Openlands Green Region Program. DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright stated that "the city is thrilled to support this project as a destination place for residents, commuters, businesses, and other users." She also highlighted how it advances fundamental neighborhood planning goals that prioritize greenspace for people, environment, and wildlife.

The parkway expansion was made possible in part by a broader CDOT resurfacing and transportation improvement project along N Ravenswood Ave. By converting underused diagonal parking spaces to the corridor's historic parallel parking layout, the area gained the needed greenspace for a continuous walking trail and new green space. CDOT Commissioner William Cheaks Jr. stated that "the expanded Winnslie Parkway is a beautiful addition to Ravenswood and a reflection of what is possible when community organizations, city departments, and local partners work together." He also mentioned that CDOT installed improvements to make the corridor safer and more accessible for people walking and biking.

The bike lane installed by CDOT improves connections to the Leland Neighborhood Greenway, the Ravenswood Metra station, and the CTA #9 Ashland bus. Mark Weber, President of Friends of Winnslie Parkway, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between civic leaders, neighborhood groups, non-profits, and corporate partners like Union Pacific and ComEd. He stated that "this expansion provides more green space and a lasting investment in the health of our neighborhood."

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The expansion also complements broader corridor improvements led by CDOT, including new bike lanes, raised crosswalks, and a curb bump-out along Ravenswood Avenue. Ben Helphand, Executive Director of NeighborSpace - the urban land trust that helped facilitate this project - shared his excitement for this project. He mentioned that community groups have been adopting sections of this rail corridor for decades and transforming them into gardens and walkways. The community's dream of a continuous greenway along miles of the embankment is now becoming a reality with this expansion.

Winnslie Parkway has been a part of Ravenswood for over 40 years since early greening efforts led by former Alderman Gene Schulter and community advocate Stephen Christy. Christy drafted the initial concept for this expansion in 2021. With its roots deeply embedded in community efforts, Winnslie Parkway's expansion serves as an example of what can be achieved when civic leaders, neighborhood groups, non-profits, and corporate partners come together to invest in the health and well-being of a neighborhood.

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