Friends of Big Marsh incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2015 as a grassroots campaign to build a bike park at Big Marsh Park. This movement was led by cyclocross enthusiasts, community cycling advocates from Slow Roll Chicago, and corporate partners, most notably SRAM and REI.
Following the opening of Big Marsh Park in November 2016, the organization began taking on the characteristics of a community-based organization. Chental Handy joined the organization as Project Coordinator in 2017, with Paul Fitzgerald becoming Executive Director in 2018. “Friends…” is now focused on complimenting the work of the Chicago Park District through innovative programming like Big Marsh Bike Ambassadors at Trumbull Park: a community cycling and mapping program focused on bringing the young people closest to Big Marsh involved with the park. Summer 2019’s Night Out in the Park’s program “Bike BBQ” created a family friendly event every weekend and served as a park conceirge while the Ford Center was under construction.
“Friends…” is working to build a world-class bike facility that serves as the hub of eco-recreation on the Southeast Side. We look forward to building connections to the Pullman National Monument, the William Powers State Recreation Area, and Beaubien Woods, and the communities in our backyard.
