The Wild Mile
by Urban Rivers
Chicago, Unites States
Project details
Year
2025
project year
2024
site area
2057 m²
project website
Location
Team credits
project team
- Urban Rivers -
Nick Wesley,
Phil Nicodemus,
Maya Kelly,
Sage Rossman,
Stephen Meyer,
Zach Damato.
contributing partners
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM),
Shedd Aquarium,
Near North Unity Program,
City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development,
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD).
Since 2017, the nonprofit Urban Rivers has developed a modular system of floating wetlands and platforms that provide habitat for wildlife while opening new public access to the Chicago River. Supported by partnerships with community groups, educators and researchers, the Wild Mile integrates ecological restoration with recreation, education and civic identity.
Chicago’s North Branch Canal was historically a neglected, industrialized stretch of water, offering little ecological or social value. Surrounded by dense neighbourhoods with limited access to green space, the area embodied the environmental and social inequities created by redlining and industrial clustering. The Wild Mile responds to this context by converting a polluted canal into a shared public asset that fosters environmental repair and social cohesion.
The design integrates modular floating wetlands that emulate natural ecosystems, supporting diverse habitats above and below water. Walkways, kayak launches and gathering platforms connect residents to the river, making ecological processes visible and interactive. The concept merges ecological function with urban design, offering a framework that is scalable, replicable and adaptive to climate change.
The Wild Mile stretches as a chain of floating islands and boardwalks. Visitors experience meandering paths lined with native plants, seasonal colours and wildlife activity. Kayak launches and observation decks offer different perspectives – from immersive close-ups of wetlands to framed skyline views. The fluidity of the floating structures reinforces the idea of the river as a living, evolving space.
The wetlands are constructed with modular rafts planted with native Illinois species. Hydroponic growth enables dense root systems to thrive directly in the water, creating shelter for fish and aquatic life. Walkways and seating are built from sustainable pine, while lightweight anchoring systems allow flexibility with fluctuating water levels and winter ice.
Co-created with residents, schools and volunteers, the Wild Mile represents an inclusive model of urban ecological design. Since the first section opened in 2022, the project has welcomed over 90,000 visitors, engaged 2,000 volunteers, and hosted more than 1,800 students on experiential field trips. It reduces disparities in access to nature by creating high-quality green space in underserved neighbourhoods, offering opportunities for residents to learn, volunteer and directly shape the river’s future.
The Wild Mile demonstrates how degraded urban waterways can be transformed into ecological and social assets. It improves biodiversity, water quality and resilience while providing free, equitable access to nature in the heart of the city. Today, it stands as both a civic landmark and a global prototype for scalable floating infrastructure. Its approach is being studied and adapted by cities worldwide seeking sustainable, inclusive models for river restoration.
Urban Rivers is a Chicago-based nonprofit founded in 2014 (formerly The Naru Project), dedicated to restoring neglected waterways into vibrant public ecosystems. The organization combines ecological science, design innovation and community collaboration to reimagine urban rivers as spaces of life and learning. The team includes ecologists, entrepreneurs, educators and public servants. Co-founder and executive director Nick Wesley oversees the design and implementation of floating wetlands and riverfront infrastructure. Urban Rivers collaborates with the City of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, universities and neighbourhood organizations to ensure broad engagement and regulatory alignment.
Participation is central to its mission. Since the project’s inception, Urban Rivers has mobilized thousands of volunteers, hosted educational field trips and involved residents in the design and maintenance of the Wild Mile. Its work combines scientific monitoring – tracking biodiversity, water quality and habitat growth – with social engagement and stewardship. Beyond Chicago, Urban Rivers aspires to scale its model globally. The Wild Mile serves as both a prototype and a research platform, attracting international attention and informing floating infrastructure initiatives in cities facing similar ecological challenges. Through this work, Urban Rivers demonstrates how environmental restoration and public access can coexist – creating rivers that are once again living parts of the urban fabric.
The prize money will fund the design of new low-cost, adaptable wetland prototypes to enhance biodiversity, water quality and community engagement. The expanded Wild Mile will host native species, citizen-science programmes and educational workshops for schools, residents and visitors, turning the river into a living classroom. Data gathered with academic partners will inform international research, while design guidelines will help other cities adopt similar approaches. Partners including the Shedd Aquarium, city agencies and local organizations ensure expertise and community trust. Through adaptive design and collaborative stewardship, the project shows how cities can reclaim waterways for biodiversity, resilience and inclusive public life. The Wild Mile plan aims to advance floating ecological infrastructure as a replicable model for socially and environmentally responsible urban waterfronts.
- Information for the project text was provided by Urban Rivers -
Image gallery
Advisory Committee Statement
‘The Wild Mile’ receives the award for Social Engagement for transforming a once-polluted stretch of the Chicago River into a thriving floating eco-park that bridges ecology, culture and public life. This modular landscape restores native wetlands while creating spaces for education, kayaking and community gathering in the heart of the city. What makes the project exceptional is how it unites disciplines and communities around a shared commitment to environmental repair. It is both a symbol and a tool – cleaning a river with a troubled history while redefining how cities can coexist with nature. A bold and beautiful example of ecological urbanism in action.