A group of paddling enthusiasts joined area history fans for a paddling outing recently on the Little Calumet River in an event sponsored by the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project.
About 20 people, including members of the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association put their kayaks in July 16 at the boat launch at Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve accompanied by canoes occupied by historian Larry McClellan and organizer Tom Shepherd.
McClellan gave a presentation from a canoe about the Underground Railroad “station” at the spot that now is home to Chicago’s Finest Marina, at roughly 134th Place and St. Lawrence Avenue. The site was home to the Ton Farm, where the Ton family, along with other abolitionists in the area, assisted Freedom Seekers traveling toward Canada. The Ton Farm Site recently became one of only two Chicago sites to be listed on the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom Program.
It was a perfect day for the paddle, organizers said, and participants also had a chance to see many birds as well as a northern water snake sunning itself on a log in the river.
The Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project recently received a grant that will allow for the creation and installation of signs, markers and other improvements along the river to help tell the stories of Freedom Seekers and area abolitionists who assisted them.
Metra starts Blue Island station rehab
Officials broke ground this week on the rehabilitation of the historic Blue Island/Vermont St. Station on the Rock Island Line in Blue Island.
The depot, at 2300 W. Grove St. in Blue Island, was built in 1868. It serves passengers on the Rock Island mainline and is the southern end of the line’s Beverly Branch. It was used by about 600 customers each weekday pre-pandemic.
The work will include a complete interior renovation; renovation of the roof including the replacement of gutters and downspouts; the reconstruction of the original chimneys; rehabilitation of wooden eave supports; replacement of all doors and windows; custom brick replacement and masonry staining; asbestos and lead-based paint abatement; new landscaping and site improvements; sidewalk and crosswalk improvements and repairs to meet ADA compliance for accessible routes; and new wayfinding and intermodal signs.
The work, which is expected to be completed this fall, is being funded by the Federal Transit Administration, Metra funds and a grant from the RTA’s Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement program. The total cost of the project is about $5 million, including $3.8 million in construction costs and about $1.2 million in design cost.
Volunteer Park reopening in Tinley Park
A ribbon cutting is planned to celebrate the reopening of Volunteer Park, 8081 W. 175th St., Tinley Park at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3. Everyone who attends receives a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize.
The completed project provides expanded parking capacity, upgraded baseball/softball, soccer/lacrosse fields, volleyball and basketball courts and permanent bean bag boards. The new playground structure includes a play structure for ages 2-5 and one for ages 5-12, the first zip line in the Park District’s inventory and more.
Partial funding for the Volunteer Park redesign came from a state grant.
Free adult ESL classes at Midlothian Library
Midlothian Public Library, 14701 Kenton Ave., is partnering with South Suburban College to offer free English as a Second Language classes for adults at the library from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednesdays, Sept. 12 through Nov. 30.
Register by phone or online to attend one placement testing session Aug. 9, 15, 23 or 29. Information and registration is at www.midlothianlibrary.org or 708-535-2027.
Christmas Without Cancer 5K set
The eighth annual Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk will take place at 9 a.m. Sept. 17 at Circle/Klein Park, 9719 South Homan, in Evergreen Park, and will honor a number of local childhood cancer warriors who are currently battling or have lost their battle.
The Christmas Without Cancer 5K Run/Walk is one of the largest races in the area, and the most important fundraiser of the year for the organization, with over 1,000 participants taking part to raise funds for people and families who are battling cancer. Last year, the event drew more than 1,200 participants, raising over $70,000. This year, the organization hopes to exceed those numbers, with the goal of raising $100,000.
Registration and information is available at christmaswithoutcancer.org. A virtual race option and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Online registration will close Sept. 7, with walk-up registration available on race day and packet pickup.
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