So The 606 opens on 06/06.
What is The 606? Excellent question! Essentially, The 606 is a public space project, akin to Manhattan's High Line, centered around the Bloomingdale Trail.
What is the Bloomingdale Trail? Again, a most excellent question! The Bloomingdale Trail is an elevated pedestrian and cyclist thoroughfare that runs along West Bloomingdale Avenue (1800 N) on what used to be a train line between approximately Ashland Avenue and Ridgeway Avenue.
For more about the pre-606 route, Forgotten Chicago has a pretty solid article about the now-defunct Bloomingdale Line.
Hey, wait! I used to live around there. I vaguely remember seldom (if ever) used train tracks in that area that separated Wicker Park from Bucktown (or West Town from Logan Square, depending on your perspective and level of real estate savvy). I've heard of people hanging out on those abandoned tracks. But back then, (the 1990s) it was just trespassing.
Oh, and just why is it called the 606? Yet another excellent question! The 606 is a nod to the ZIP code prefix that all Chicagoans share.
Anyway, here a few books and whatnot if you're interested in exploring the history of Chicago railroads and various rail lines that have been converted into public trails intended for cycling, running, dog walking and general enjoyment of the outdoors:
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