Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/486697
photography by stephen green/courtesy of chicago cubs (maddon) Swing into Spring From the First blossoming oF maggie Daley Park to the return oF alFresco Dining, eight reasons to get exciteD For the new season. by jason a. heidemann There's nothing like spring to snap Chicagoans out of their winter slumber—and this year, locals have more reasons than ever to look forward to the thaw, from brand-new green spaces to a new Cubs manager who has the North Side faithful believing again. Ready to spring ahead? Here are eight ways we're looking forward to doing it. 1. daley activities Maggie Daley Park gears up for its frst spring. Over the winter, skaters laced up and navigated the hairpin turns and swooshing curves of the ice ribbon at Maggie Daley Park (337 E. Randolph St., 312-742-3918; chicagoparkdis- trict.com) while the rest of us waited patiently for the thaw that would reveal the urban playground of our dreams. The 20-acre space features a 50-foot climbing wall, pathways and formal gardens, tennis courts, chess and checker tables, a miniature golf course, a playground (with castle, natch), and a field house with locker rooms. 2. blaze new trails The 606 fnally arrives. Residents of Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square have a new reason to boast: A decades- long dream reaches fruition this spring with the opening of The 606—aka The Bloomingdale Trail, a 2.7-mile rail line that's been converted into a multi-use recreational trail, alternative transpor- tation corridor, and green space. Above Bloomingdale Avenue between Ashland and Ridgeway Avenues; the606.org 3. Play ball! Cubs and Sox fans, this could be the year. Chicago baseball fans have plenty to be excited about this season. On the North Side, Cubs fans are cheering the arrival of new manager Joe Maddon as well as the imminent completion of phase-one renovations to Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St., 773-404-2827; chicago.cubs. mlb.com). Meanwhile, '05 World Series Champions the White Sox welcome the return of second baseman Gordon Beckham as well as a renovated clubhouse at U.S. Cellular Field (333 W. 35th St., 312-674-1000; chicago. whitesox.mlb.com). 4. drink in the View Two new hotels open enviable outdoor spaces. from left: The Commons Club at Virgin Hotel features 270-degree city views from its windows; Joe Maddon, the Cubs' new manager; a rendering of Maggie Daley Park, which features a playground with a castle as well as a climbing wall, gardens, and tennis courts. culture Out & About 54 michiganavemag.com