USACE: Horner Park Restoration Moves Ahead

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, in partnership with the Chicago Park District is currently implementing an ecosystem restoration project at Horner Park. 

The goal of this project is to restore the natural features of the North Branch Chicago River at Horner Park and its riparian zone within the constraints of the current system.

USACE said that all riverbank regrading activities are now complete and that the establishment of vegetation and invasive species control activities will continue through 2018.

The objectives of this project include:

• restoring stream hydraulics and morphology;
• restoring riparian zone habitat and vegetation;
• restoring oak savanna habitat;
• prevention and/or removal of invasive species.

Both the design effort, and the construction contract are being funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

Background

Ecosystem restoration is a high-priority budgetable mission for the Corps of Engineers.

The Chicago District currently has 19 ecosystem restoration projects either recently completed or in construction for a total of 2600 acres restored, nearly 60 miles of free flowing rivers .

In partnership with the Chicago Park District, Horner Park will be yet another significant contribution to the USACE mission to restore and reconnect sustainable habitat along the Chicago River, USACE said.