v28-4 Go Edgewater Update

EHS had a very successful summer in our partnership with Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project. We helped conduct several weekly historical bike tours on Tuesday evenings, and on more than one occasion ended the tours with refreshments in the EHS Garden, enjoying the sunsets. EHS members Tom Murphy (Co-chair), Steve Meiss, Marge Fritz-Birch, Marsha Holland, Allen Stryczek, Tricia van Eck and Bob Remer conducted interesting guided tours of public gardens, Edgewater theaters, public art, Edgewater boundaries and early development, nature sites and trails along the lakefront and up into Evanston.

We are looking for feedback on what weekday evenings or weekend days would be best for the largest numbers of potential bike riders; we don’t bike more than 4-5 miles and often less, and the ride is not at all strenuous. We also had one walking tour of Edgewater’s LEED buildings, and we welcome and hope for more in the future. This is the third year of Go Edgewater, originally funded by the Active Transportation Alliance, which established the template for future years as volunteer led programs. The office of 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman has been very supportive of expanding biking opportunities in Edgewater and working on safe biking corridors with the City of Chicago. If you would like to help conduct or suggest topics or routes for future tours let us know.

In late October, the EHS museum was visited by about 80 bikers on a north side tour with Adventure Cycling Tours, led by Tom Limon, Edgewater resident and Go Edgewater participant. They came to visit the Made in Chicago exhibit (which includes Schwinn bicycles), and we were delighted that their tour fees included a one year membership in EHS. Thanks Tom, and thanks to Marty Stewart, Kathy Gemperle and Steve Meiss, who welcomed our new members and gave them the tour of the museum. And welcome to our new members!