Exploring The Wild Mile: Chicago’s Floating Eco-Park

A Conservation Success Story and a Fun Place to Enjoy Nature, Learn, and Relax on the Chicago River

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG (FOUNDED IN 2017) AND BOOK

Chicago once turned its back on the polluted Chicago River, but that has changed in the past several decades as the river has become cleaner and parks such as Ping Tom Memorial Park and the River Walk have been created on its shores.

The Wild Mile (905 W. Eastman Street, Chicago, 60642) is the latest Chicago River conservation and restoration success story—and it’s story is still unfolding. It’s the flagship project of the nonprofit Urban Rivers.

What is The Wild Mile? It’s a floating eco-park on the North Branch of the Chicago River that is pontoon-based and made of environmentally friendly materials. A variety of wetland species that are native to Illinois are planted in the framework, and their roots grow into the river. Urban Rivers says that “the root system provides important habitat for young fish and other small river species. It also serves as a giant water filter, as wetland plants are known to sequester pollutants such as heavy metals. These plants also help regulate the natural phosphorus and nitrogen cycles as the seasons change.” Segments have also been installed beneath the water to mimic a natural river floor (and provide a restoration site for endangered freshwater mussels). The Wild Mile is open 24/7, and it is accessible for people who have physical disabilities. The city of Chicago provides funding for The Wild Mile. The first phase of The Wild Mile was installed in 2021, and there are currently 700 linear feet. The Wild Mile will keep expanding as funding becomes available. 

The Chicago River: From the 1840s to Today

The Chicago River has been through a lot in its recent existence. It was once a repository for human waste and pollution from tanneries, meat processing plants, and other industries, and this waste flowed into Lake Michigan—the city’s source of drinking water. In 1900, the city—with the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—reversed the flow of the Chicago River so that it traveled away from Lake Michigan and toward the Mississippi River. This improved health conditions for Chicagoans but worsened them for those downriver. Although the number of Chicagoans who became ill or died declined, the river continued to be an open sewer system. In the 1930s efforts increased to improve the water quality of the Chicago River and treat wastewater before it was sent downstream. Yet…the Chicago River remained so polluted that the city literally turned its back on it, with many buildings near it lacking any windows that faced the river. In 1973, the first Mayor Daley (Richard J.) predicted that “Loop workers by next year would be catching salmon, trout, and bass” if only Congress would allow for the increased flow of Lake Michigan water into the river to improve its water quality. Mayor Daley’s heart was in the right place, but it was not that easy because the river was so polluted. But the river became cleaner with each passing decade. The Clean Water Act of 1972, deindustrialization of the river corridor, and increasing efforts by environmental groups (such as Friends of the Chicago River) to both educate the public about the importance of protecting the river and remove invasive plants and introduce native species helped the Chicago River to slowly bounce back. The city began turning toward the river, rather than away from it. In the last four decades (but especially the last 25 years), there has been a large amount of commercial and residential development along the river. In 1974, there were only 10 species in the river in 1974, according to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Today, Friends of the Chicago River reports that the number of fish species has jumped to 80.  

So, what’s it like to visit The Wild Mile? Interesting, spectacular, beautiful, informative, surprisingly secluded in spots, and fun are just a few of the words and phrases that came to mind when I visited last month. Aspects of The Wild Mile that I loved during my visit included:

• informational signage that explains what’s going on at the site (“Where do mussel babies come from?” “Roots to the rescue!”), plus a greeting sign that lists upcoming events (with QR codes) and Do’s and Don’ts
• multiple seating areas; so many nature spots don’t have enough seating
• the opportunity to play games (e.g., chess board, bags) as one enjoys the eco-park
• amazing blooms: I saw tons of swamp rose mallow, American boneset, blue vervain, but there were many other plants in post-bloom phase
• unexpectedly seeing Chonk Jr., a snapping turtle on the boardwalk; I said “Hey, what’s up!?” like he was a long-lost friend. I didn’t realize that a 20-something guy was just out of my sightline, and we shared a laugh at my overly familiar greeting. 
• nice views of the Chicago skyline
• the peaceful feelings I experienced as I walked amongst the blooms and observed birds and the flowing river
• the fact that you can launch a kayak or canoe from the site
• that The Wild Mile is a place of community and learning; Urban Rivers hosts a variety of events at the site and at its other properties. Click here for a list of upcoming events.

The Wild Mile is not yet a full mile but just imagine how amazing this already amazing and beautiful spot will be when Urban Rivers and the city of Chicago complete the project. I will definitely be back to check out The Wild Mile in different seasons.    

Before You Go

The Wild Mile is located at 905 W. Eastman Street, Chicago, IL, 60642, with the entrance situated directly behind the Lincoln Park REI. Since I forgot to look at the Urban Rivers website before I left, it was a little hard to initially find The Wild Mile, but I tracked it down. This is mostly my fault, but it would be great to have some signage on the street or right before its entrance on Eastman Street (perhaps I missed both) that directs visitors to the site.    

I found parking to be tight when I visited, but I’m sure this varies by the time of day/week you visit. Other options to visit The Wild Mile include walking, biking, or taking the CTA. Urban Rivers provides advice on parking on its website.

Urban Rivers’ Wild Mile webpage is your best source for information regarding the project.

The nearest washrooms and water fountains are located in REI.

After your visit, stop by Off Color Brewing (1460 N. Kingsbury Street, Chicago, 60642), the mile’s next-door neighbor for some refreshments.

Before your visit, check out The Wild Mile: A River Reborn, a documentary film from House of Bug Productions. Additionally, The Chicago River: A Natural and Unnatural History, a book by Libby Hill, provides a big-picture overview of the river.

Copyright (text/photos): © Andrew Morkes

Looking for some other great nature destinations in Chicagoland? If so, check out my book, Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit. It features amazing destinations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Click on the title to learn more. The book has 306 pages and 210+ photos and is only $19.99.

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ABOUT ANDREW MORKES

I’ve been a writer and editor for more than 30 years. I’m the founder of College & Career Press (2002); the author and publisher of The Morkes Report: College and Career Planning Trends blog; and the author and publisher of Hot Health Care Careers: 30 Occupations With Fast Growth and Many New Job Openings; Nontraditional Careers for Women and Men: More Than 30 Great Jobs for Women and Men With Apprenticeships Through PhDs; They Teach That in College!?: A Resource Guide to More Than 100 Interesting College Majors, which was selected as one of the best books of the year by the library journal Voice of Youth Advocates; and other titles. They Teach That in College!? provides more information on environmental- and sustainability-related majors such as Ecotourism, Range Management, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Built Environment, Sustainability Studies, and Sustainable Agriculture/Organic Farming. I also served as a member of the parent advisory board at my son’s school for five years.

In addition to these publications, I’ve written more than 80 books about careers for other publishing and media companies including Infobase (such as the venerable Encyclopedia of Careers & Vocational Guidance, College Readiness: The Vault Guide for High School Juniors and Seniors, the Vault Career Guide to Consulting, and many volumes in the Careers in Focus, Discovering Careers, What Can I Do Now?!, and Career Skills Library series), Lerner Publishing, and Mason Crest (including those in the Careers in the Building Trades, Hands-On Careers, Social Media Today, Woman in STEM Careers, Getting Started, and Cool Careers in Science series). Many titles that I have written and edited have received positive reviews in Booklist; Voice of Youth Advocates; Library Bookwatch; CHOICE, a publication of the Association of College and Research Libraries (a division of the American Library Association); and other publications.

Here’s a list of the environmental- and clean energy-focused titles that I’ve written or co-written:

• Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit
• Wind Turbine Technicians (Great Careers Without a Bachelor’s Degree series)
• Environmental Scientists (Cool Careers in Science series)
• Renewable Energy Careers (Cool Careers in Science series)
• Environment (Getting Started series)
• Solar Power Technicians (Careers in Infrastructure series)
• Women in Environmental Sciences (Women in STEM Careers)

Articles about my work have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Practical Homeschooling, and other publications. My photographs of musicians, artists, and the natural world have been published in several books. My poetry has been published in Cadence, Wisconsin Review, Poetry Motel, Strong Coffee, and Mid-America Review. As an amateur artist, I’m pleased to say that four of my paintings were included in the 2025 Beverly Art Walk. Additionally, five of my photographs will be featured in the 2026 Beverly Art Walk on September 26, 2026.