Mayor Emanuel Views Park Plan As Essential To Keeping Families In Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It is one of the City of Chicago's most ambitious plans in recent years -- improvements along the lake and riverfronts, plus new parks and programs.
CBS 2's Jim Williams talked to Mayor Rahm Emanuel about it today.
Skeptics might say it's Mayor Emanuel's attempt to change the narrative from rising violence and protests, but the mayor calls the parks plan essential to keep people here.
"This is who we are," Emanuel said. "This is in the DNA of Chicago. Investing in our future, gives us a strong future."
Stretches of both the north and south lakefronts will have separate lanes for bikers and joggers.
The city is creating more green spaces, play lots and swimming pools in neighborhoods that haven't had them in years.
The riverfront, already being developed downtown, will have more recreational spots deep in the neighborhoods.
The final price tag? The mayor and Park District aren't saying.
"We'll use Park District capital investment which runs 35-40 million dollars a year, we'll raise private money from REI, Stram, family foundations here in the city of Chicago," Emanuel said.
In neighborhoods threatened by violence, Emanuel says the crowds keep gangs away because criminals don't like crowds.
This is Mayor Emanuel's second parks plan. He says the first phrase, announced four years ago, will be finished this summer.
