Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other city officials gathered along the Chicago River on Sunday, Nov. 9, to celebrate the grand opening of the new $1.4 million boathouse at River Park. The boathouse is part of the city’s effort to boost recreation on the river. This is the third boathouse opened by the city, and it features a kayak-staging area for rentals, expanded and renovated facility for offices and storage, and a canopy-covered area.
“This third boat house at River Park adds to the work we’re doing to make the Chicago River the next great recreational frontier in the City,” said Mayor Emanuel in a press release issued by the Mayor’s press office. “I’m also pleased to announce that we’re moving forward with plans to build the fourth boat house in the City, partnering with Governor Quinn so that residents from every corner of the City have access to recreational opportunities on the river.”
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officials also announced the fourth boathouse, which will be built in the Bridgeport neighborhood at Park 571 and will cost around $5.7 million. That boathouse will be a 19,003-square-foot facility with boat storage, workout space, rowing office, and floating boat launch dock on the Chicago River.
“For many years, the Chicago Park District has been synonymous with recreation on the lakefront,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael P. Kelly. “Thanks to the Mayor’s initiative we are able to grow opportunities for recreation along the river.”
The Clark Park boathouse, located in the North Center neighborhood, was completed in October 2013 and the Ping Tom boathouse at the edge of the Chinatown and South Loop neighborhoods opened in June 2013.
