The Wild Mile is the flagship project of Urban Rivers, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The WIld Mile takes a wildlife-first approach to public greenspace. Combining ADA-accessible boardwalks with floating artificial habitats, the Wild Mile remains open to the public 24-7, and is used as a space for recreation, education, research, community gatherings, and more.
The habitats mimic a natural wetland ecosystem - one that might have been found in the Chicago area long before the city was developed. They are pontoon-based, made of environmentally friendly materials, and built to last. Populated by wetland species native to Illinois, the gardens allow plant roots to grow through the physical framework, directly into the river.
Images courtesy of Biomatrix Water - flora and fauna not intended to accurately depict Chicagoland wildlife
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.
In addition to garden-like modules, certain portions of the Wild Mile are submerged, and feature underwater habitats intended to mimic a natural river floor. Here, Urban Rivers runs restoration projects for endangered freshwater mussels, which are no longer able to survive in urban stretches of river due to the unfavorable conditions of the post-industrial river floor. These mussels play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, and filter up to ten gallons of water per day!
Anchored to both the river floor and the seawall, the Wild Mile can move up and down as the water level changes. The Wild Mile has stayed put through dramatic flooding, even when the river has risen above the seawalls. Most urban waterways have been engineered very similarly to the Chicago River, so the Wild Mile’s design is applicable to cities worldwide.
Images courtesy of Biomatrix Water
About Us
The Wild Mile is a collaborative endeavor, led by the nonprofit organization Urban Rivers along with a coalition of partners including the City of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, the Near North Unity Program, Neighborspace, and many more. This flagship project is dedicated to transforming urban waterways into vibrant wildlife sanctuaries, showcasing the power of partnership in creating sustainable urban spaces. All of Urban Rivers’ work incorporates volunteers from surrounding communities, and strives to incorporate the needs of humans and wildlife alike into every component of the river’s ongoing transformation.
Beyond constructing the Wild Mile, Urban Rivers works on multiple other floating wetland projects across Chicago. We also run community programs aimed at connecting citydwellers with their urban waterways. We run youth education, host a robust volunteer program, and collaborate on many different areas of scientific research.
Want to learn more about our work? You’re in luck - we have a whole website!
