Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is an open, pedestrian waterfront located on the south bank of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois. It spans from Lake Shore Drive to Franklin Street. Called the city's 'Second Lakefront', the Riverwalk contains restaurants, seating, boat rentals, and other activities. It is currently being expanded to 9 blocks and is scheduled for completion in 2016.

In conjunction with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), construction of the Riverwalk began in 2001 as an extension of the Wacker Drive reconstruction project. With the rebuilding of Wacker Drive, the street was purposely relocated to allow for development of the walk. Temporary stubs were built in some places, such as the Arcade (see below), until design plans and funding could be arranged, in some cases over a decade later.

The plan called for four separate districts within the riverwalk: Confluence, Arcade, Civic and Market, all with a specific location and theme in mind.

At State and Wabash Streets where the Riverwalk is at its widest is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, commemorating events that took place during that war. Designed by Ross Barney Architects and built in 2005, it is nestled within the Riverwalk and consists of a terraced lawn, a waterfall and a central pool.The Chicago Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Plaza, one of the largest in the nation outside of Washington, D.C., connects people to the riverfront, provides an escape from the steel and glass of the City, and bejewels the City's waterfront. Its public objectives and finished forms embody what a memorial plaza should be; a remembrance of those that served, and a celebration of the living. The plaza occupies land, reclaimed by the rebuilding and relocation of Wacker Drive, to create an urban park, with terraces and bench-lined ramps that gently transition from busy city streets to more quiet spaces near the river, providing a green refuge. Plans were announced to deploy the full intention of a connected path from Lake Michigan west towards Lake Street. Ross Barney Architects was again charged with envisioning this extension. Phase 01 was completed in 2009 with under-bridge canopies and new landscaping added south of State Street.

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