Nature Near Transit
Nature Near Transit is an ongoing initiative to bring nature-based solutions and green infrastructure to public transit hubs throughout Chicago, particularly disinvested areas with a need for cultural and climate resilience.
Learn more four ongoing Nature Near Transit projects in the city — Endeleo’s Lake Trinity, the Palenque LSNA green roof, the Overton rain garden, and Chicago FarmWorks’ bioswale — and explore three international case studies that will inspire future NBS in Chicago.
Table of contents
What is Nature Near Transit?
What are nature-based solutions?
Nature Near Transit (NNT) is a collection of projects managed by Elevated Chicago, Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) and We Build Agency, funded by the Walder Foundation. These projects demonstrate the benefits that nature-based solutions (NBS) and locally created art can have near transit.
Nature-based solutions use or mimic natural processes, often in tandem with other systems, and create additional environmental, social and economic benefits, from reducing urban flooding to improving health and well-being for people and all life within urban ecosystems. Located near select Chicago transit hubs, NNT installations are small-scale green infrastructure projects that demonstrate and showcase the benefits of nature-based solutions and local art for placekeeping, flood reduction, beautification and many other societal and environmental aims.
Impacts of nature-based solutions
Overall outcomes
NBS near transit can help improve accessibility, build community, support climate activism, enhance the livability of an area, and revitalize neighborhoods. From the urban planning perspective, they can also act as traffic control and improve pedestrian mobility for a safer, more walkable Chicago.
Arts & culture impacts
Nature installations act as community gathering spaces. Gardens and greenspaces can provide hands-on ecological interaction and learning opportunities, whereas parks allow space for play and sports. These sites can also incorporate preservation of local history, benefitting the community.
Environmental impacts
Nature near transit can help preserve the environment. Potential impacts include biodiversity, enhanced air quality, and the creation of forests/gardens. NBS can limit the urban heat island effect, provide solar power, conserve water, and help manage stormwater and waste.
Health impacts
Nature-based solutions can contribute to an increased sense of community belonging and mental well-being. Communal, walkable outdoors spaces are important in contributing to physical well-being by providing a place to exercise or obtain fresh fruits and vegetables. The presence of plants in these installation also reduces heat stress.
Nature Near Transit sites in Chicago
There are four existing nature-based solutions near transit in Chicago that have been installed as part of the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s Nature Near Transit program (formerly called the Climate & Cultural Resiliency project). These NBS are located in close proximity to transit stops that are designated for equitable transit-oriented development under the City’s ETOD Policy Plan.
- Endeleo Institute’s Lake Trinity in Washington Heights
- Palenque LSNA’s green roof in Logan Square
- Overton Center for Excellence’s rain garden in Bronzeville
- Chicago FarmWorks’ bioswale in East Garfield Park
Lake Trinity at Endeleo Institute
(Washington Heights)
The Endeleo Institute in Washington Heights wanted to address some aging landscaping and the ongoing challenge of flooding that turned the parking lot at Trinity United, particularly the handicapped accessible spaces, into what was called “Lake Trinity.”
With the support of the Terra Foundation, community stakeholders and church members designed a rain garden at the entrance of the parking lot. This green infrastructure will help divert rain water from the parking lot while also beautifying the pedestrian and public way.
Ongoing work includes installing permeable pavers to further mitigate flooding of the area, informational signage to share information on the rain garden and green infrastructure, informational resources to help community stakeholders understand the flora and fauna of the rain garden and participate in its maintenance, and an arts installation to further beautify the path.
“Lake Trinity” in the parking lot of the Endeleo Institute’s Trinity Church
Green roof at Palenque LSNA
(Logan Square)
Video of rooftop garden at Palenque LSNA in Logan Square
The Logan Square community continues to suffer the consequences of gentrification, losing over 47% of Latine residents over the past 20 years. Palenque LSNA wanted to provide a safe, welcoming, meditative space for the Latine residents that it serves.
From youth leaders to parent mentors, residents participated in the design of a green roof with native plantings, a water feature, and seating. This rooftop sanctuary with a garden, deck and portico is a quiet oasis for residents seeking a bit of nature and community in their changing community.
Ongoing work includes finalization of artistic design elements, plant name labels, and development of informational resources to help the staff and family of Palenque LSNA to care for their garden.
Rain garden at Overton Center for Excellence
(Bronzeville)
Overton Center for Excellence is a reclaimed closed CPS school in Bronzeville that is being transformed into a creative, experimental community space, and business and IT incubator.
In 2019, a rain garden was installed at Overton Center of Excellence as part of the Climate and Cultural Resilience program. Paired with a flood map of the community, this installation provided a small scale demonstration of the value of green infrastructure.
After several years, through the pandemic and with limited maintenance resources, the garden needed a refresh. With input from volunteer community gardeners and Community Garden Stewards at Overton, new native plantings, better delineation of the rain garden, and future decorative elements were selected. New signage and maintenance trainings and resources will help ensure a thriving rain garden through the seasons.
Rain garden at Overton Center for Excellence
Bioswale at Chicago FarmWorks
(East Garfield Park)
Bioswale at Chicago FarmWorks in East Garfield Park
A small bioswale was installed at the Chicago FarmWorks garden in East Garfield Park as part of the Climate and Cultural Resilience program. During the pandemic and a few years following, the garden fell into disuse and the bioswale needed some attention.
The team at FarmWorks engaged in a door knocking campaign to renew interest in the garden, reengage residents, and gather input on the various elements of the garden. Refreshed plantings in the bioswale and at the front of the garden provide small demonstrations of green infrastructure within the larger context of the garden.
There are big future plans for the FarmWorks site on Kedzie, including expansion and an outdoor classroom and increased programming. Ongoing maintenance and educational resources will support a thriving bioswale in this wonderful growing garden.
International case studies
What could nature near transit look like in Chicago? We studied three international nature-based solutions (NBS) to find out.
With funding from the Walder Foundation, Elevated Chicago, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and WeBuildAgency were able to compile the following examples of enhanced stormwater retention and biodiversity that could inspire future Nature Near Transit work in the Windy City.
Each project involved the revitalization of public land and successful collaboration among many organizations, such as local government, government agencies, nonprofits, universities, activist groups, and for-profit companies.
Importantly, community members were engaged throughout each process via direct conversation and outreach efforts. Existing infrastructure, the local landscape, and community demographics were all considered to bring lasting value to residents and the environment.
Learn more about these three international NBS and their potential applications in Chicago below.
Hoopla Garden, The Edible Bus Stop®
(London, England)
Hoopla Garden sits on publicly owned land next to Stop H on the high-frequency 322 bus route.
Community members were surveyed about potential project sites, and The Edible Bus Stop® designed and installed the project, patterning the 15 garden beds and diagonal strips of permeable pavement on the game of quoits (aka “hoopla”). Hoopla Garden seeks to uplift the West Norwood neighborhood and provide more natural space; it is comprised of both ornamental and edible plants that are available to all residents.
Comparable Chicago location: Albany Park, Kimball Brown Line Station
Cuernavaca Railway Linear Park
(Mexico City, Mexico)
This rails-to-trails project was the top finalist among 130 different proposals submitted to the city.
The 2.8-mile urban forest was installed along an active railway and connects 22 neighborhoods of varying income levels. Its 37-mile-long bikeway serves as a significant investment in biking and walking infrastructure, and park features help manage stormwater, reduce water scarcity, enhance urban forestry and create a sense of community.
All together, the Cuernacava Railway Linear Park impacts 40,000 residents and, notably, it is the only public green space in an area with increasing land privatization.
Comparable Chicago location: Back of the Yards, 49th Street Viaduct
Tribaldi Train Stop
(Milan, Italy)
Located along Milan’s S9 railway, the Tibaldi Train project is part of the CLEVER Cities initiative, a program funded by the European Union. It is the first train station in Italy that combats heat and integrates natural infrastructure to enhance stormwater management and biodiversity.
Both residents and commuters were engaged in the design process, and many features – bicycle rack, engraved table with a chessboard, ping pong table, and neighborhood bulletin board – were integrated based on their feedback.
Comparable Chicago location: East Garfield Park, California & Kedzie Green Line stop
International Inspiration PDF
Want to share these international case studies with someone interested in nature-based solutions? Download the PDF version below.
