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Take a Trip Back in Time on The 606
Opened in 2015, The 606 is an innovative project on Chicago’s Northwest side that has transformed nearly 3 miles of unused rail line into the elevated Bloomingdale Trail.
By Trust for Public Land
The 606 is a one-of-a-kind park and trail that has made a name for itself in Chicago—connecting neighborhoods, snagging awards, and transforming the commute for pedestrians and cyclists who can now travel for nearly three miles above traffic.
Though The 606 is still young, there’s a rich history behind the rail-line it used to be—and few people know it better than historian Jim Peters.
For all his knowledge about the trail’s industrial past, Peters is just as excited about its modern-day transformation.
“The 606 is a wonderful slice through the city,” Peters says. “You’re up above the city, seeing a part of Chicago tourists don’t normally see from a vantage point they don’t normally have. When you walk along the trail you really get a sense of what real Chicago is.”
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