Bike-Ped Trails and Affordability: El Paseo Panel and Garden Tour

*** Please note: registration for this even has ended. Please email diversity@ilapa.org with any issues. ***

El Paseo, a four-mile multipurpose trail that would connect Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, is proposed to be the city’s next high-profile rails-to-trails project. El Paseo could become the Southwest Side's version of The 606, a highly popular park and trail system on Chicago’s Northwest Side. However, some community members are concerned about the long-term impacts of El Paseo. The popularity of The 606 has brought concerns about rising rents and housing prices that threaten to displace existing residents. Some are worried that similar effects will be felt by the residents near El Paseo. Join the APA-IL Diversity Committee for a panel on El Paseo, to discuss topics such as gentrification, the arts, safety, and the existing community. Immediately following the panel, guests are invited to walk over to El Paseo Community Garden for a guided tour by the Garden’s co-director, Paula Acevedo.

AGENDA:

3:30 – 4:30 Panelist discussion

4:30 – 5:00 Garden tour

PANELESTS:

Nelson Chueng, Coordinating Planner, City of Chicago

Veronica Gonzalez, Vice President of Real Estate Development, The Resurrection Project

Byron Sigcho, Director, Pilsen Alliance

MODERATOR:

Dr. John-Jairo Betancur, Professor, UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

NOTES:

Tour of El Paseo Community Garden, 944 W. 21st. Street, will follow the panel discussion.

El Paseo Community Garden and Lacuna Lofts are accessible from the #7 and #21 bus routes.

Community members are eligible for a scholarship. Please contact diversity@ilapa.org for scholarship information.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to attend, please contact Cindy Cambray at ccambray@cmap.illinois.gov or 312- 386-8748.

This event is eligible for 1.5 CM Credits.