Northerly Island
Back to Northerly Island
Back to Northerly Island
Getting back to nature
Visit Northerly Island and you will see it as it has never been. The flat land that once covered the southern half is being transformed into woodlands, savannas, and prairies, with a large pond in the center and wetlands hugging the shore. The improvements began in 2012 and are expected to take about five years – two years for construction and another three for the new plants and habitats to take hold. But visitors will be able to enjoy the emerging nature park even before the project is complete.
The plan for the south side of Northerly Island is to make the lakefront look more like it did before the city was settled. This will bring back habitats for millions of migratory birds and other land animals. The restoration offers much-needed stopover spots for songbirds, ducks, hawks, and more as they fly north and south each year. Just off shore, rocks and underwater vegetation – two things that are scarce along the Chicago lakefront – will also help native fish species find food, avoid predators, and reproduce.
The plan for the south side of Northerly Island is to make the lakefront look more like it did before the city was settled. This will bring back habitats for millions of migratory birds and other land animals. The restoration offers much-needed stopover spots for songbirds, ducks, hawks, and more as they fly north and south each year. Just off shore, rocks and underwater vegetation – two things that are scarce along the Chicago lakefront – will also help native fish species find food, avoid predators, and reproduce.