Earth Day Chicago South Side

Rendition of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area with a close up base image of rust, corrosion, & dirt. -Cover Photo by Andrew St. Paul

On Saturday April 21st, 2018

There will be three free events on Chicago's southside historic Blue Island District and Beverly Area with multiple biking and car parking options. 

​The Out Our Front Door Organization invites you to explore one of the newest trail links in the regional bike trail network system, the Major Taylor Trail and Cal-Sag connection on a full day extravaganza with trail restoration, a brewery taco tap take over, leading presentations, a film documentary and more.

​Full Event Schedule Down Below. Drive to one or Bike to all three events

Film Documentary in The Historical Room

The Riverside Tap Shack

Whistler Woods

Brewery Taco Tap Takeover

Pinball & Arcade Games

Regional Trail Bike Network

Restoring Nature

At 7:30am - 8:00 am
Morning Preparations
North Side Cyclists meet at 7:30 am at the Logan Square Illinois Centennial Monument and will bike down (21 mile/2 hour bike ride | View Map

At 8:00 am Southside cyclists from their own groups and descend upon the days festivities.

At 9:00 am - 12:00pm
Trail Restoration Major Taylor
Major Taylor Trail Park, North of Little Calumet Bridge 12900 S Eggleston, Chicago, IL 60643​ | View map
​Parking can also be had at Whistler Woods and you can walk on over | View Map

​In preparation for a summer event, Friends of the Major Taylor Trail is partnering with Out Our Front Door and Major Taylor Cycling Club  on a trail clean-up workday. Join Friends of the Major Taylor Trail, Out Our Front Door, and the Major Taylor Cycling Club as they lead volunteers at the Major Taylor Trail Earth Day Clean-Up!

From 12:00pm-2:15pm
Taco Tap Takeover & The Cal-Sag Connection:

Join Out Our Front Door and the Friends of The Cal-Sag Trail for a special one on one Q&A and presentation of the current status and construction of the Cal-Sag Trail Extension. With Tacos provided by OOFD.

Breweries and Bars we will visit

1. Blue Island Beer Company
2. Rock Island Public House
3. ​Riverside Tap Shack (free tacos and Cal-Sag extension presentation)

After Tacos and drinks we will bike to the Blue Island Library for the film documentary.

​​At 2:30pm-4:00 pm
Film Documentary Showing "Jen Jensen The Living Green"
Playing at Blue Island Public Library 
2433 York Street, Blue Island, IL 60406 | View map

check out these scenes from the documentary 

The film will be played in the Blue Island Historical Society's interpretative meeting room located on the Lower Level of the beautiful & state of the art Blue Island Public Library. The seating is cushioned to provide a comfortable 1 hour viewing of the film. Hosted by the Out Our Front Door Organization with lemonade refreshments provided. 

At 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Closing Thoughts & OOFD Prestentation
​OOFD will present who they are, what aim to solve, the current native movement and what the past can teach us about the future, We will talk about the newly released Next Century Conservation Plan of the Forest Preserves, what it entails and how we can contribute to natural areas. As well as the regional bike trail system, and how to grow the bike camping/Out Our Front Door movement. In preparation you can listen to WBEZ Radio Interview with Cook County's Biologist Laura Anchor and Eileen Figel is deputy general superintendent for the Forest Preserve District.

Event Location Map:

​Parking can be had at Whistler Woods Forest Preserve,​ Blue Island Beer Company, and or Blue Island Public Library.
 
​-Metra Train Station: Blue Island to Downtown's LaSalle Street Station.

-Cyclists from the North Side meet-up at 8am at the Illinois Centennial Monument in Logan Square. Cyclists from the south side meet and form their own group rides to descend upon the workday, breweries, or film locales.

​This Earth Day program is presented by the Out Our Front Door Organization.
​
​Thank you to Friends of the Major Taylor Trail | Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail | The Major Taylor Cycling Club | Blue Island Beer Company | Rock Island Public House Brewery | Friends of the Parks | Riverside Tap Room | Viva Lundin Productions | The Beverly Art Alliance | The Forest Preserves | Chicago Park District | Blue Island Public Library | We Keep You Rolling | The House of OOFD | Centennial Volunteers | Friends of Forest Preserves | Trails For Illinois  | The Communities at a Large | And The Grasshoppers and Birds

Happening: Saturday April 21st, 2018