The Chicago River(s) Run Series Part 4: Running Tour of Bubbly Creek
In Part 4 of Read & Run Chicago's running tours along The Chicago River, we head to the Bubbly Creek area!
In this series, Read & Run Chicago Guide & Friends of the Chicago River Policy Manager Chelsey Grassfield leads runners on a series of river runs inspired by Libby Hill's The Chicago River: a Natural and Unnatural History!
Bubbly Creek, made famous by Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, in which he described it as “an arm of the Chicago River, [that] forms the southern boundary of the [Union Stock] yards: all the drainage of the square mile of [meat] packing houses empties into it, so that it is really a great open sewer…filth stays there forever and a day. The grease and chemicals that are poured into it undergo all sorts of strange transformations, which are the cause of its name; it’s constantly in motion…bubbles of carbonic acid gas will rise to the surface and burst…” Fortunately for us, it’s no longer an open sewer, and it’s an exciting time to visit this stretch of the river because the community is being asked to reimagine and envision its future.
We’ll start at the Eleanor Boathouse (whose architecture will remind those who joined us for the North Branch run of Clark Park’s Boathouse) travel to Cougle Chicken to see their modest but mighty contribution to a future connected riverfront path, and to Canal Origins Park and Riverwalk Park.
Here's everything you need to know about PART 4 of this series!
(NOTE: You do NOT have to have attended any previous river tours! The content of these runs build off each other but also stand alone)
- MEET UP: Meet at 6pm on Thursday, October 20 at Eleanor Boathouse (2828 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608). Note: Fall is upon us so this run will be mostly after sunset; our way should be well lit, but if you have a headlamp, feel free to bring it!
- RUN: This event features a ~3 mile, easy-paced route with various stops.
- POST-RUN: Optional post-run discussion with Guide Chelsey Grassfield will be held at Bridgeport Inn, a bar that allows you to order food from the surrounding area—a great way to try The Duck Inn (are all establishments “inns”?) without bumming them out that we showed up in sweaty workout clothes.
OPTIONAL READING: As this event is a running tour, reading the book prior is optional. If you do read the book inspiring this series, we suggest reading the following chapters from The Chicago River: a Natural and Unnatural History by Libby Hill:
- Ch. 11 Clean Stream to Open Sewer
- Ch. 18 Straightening the South Branch,
- Ch. 20 The MWRD
- Ch. 24 Greening the Watershed
About Guide Chelsey Grassfield:
Chelsey Grassfield has attended numerous Read and Run Chicago events and now enjoys guiding her own, based on some of her favorite Chicago-themed books. The most rewarding aspect is meeting others who value opportunities to explore the city on foot and through literature. She’s delighted to bring her expertise on the Chicago and Calumet Rivers, as Policy Manager at Friends of the Chicago River, to a series that explores the rivers’ history, present, and future.z
The Chicago River(s) Run series will feature runs along the North Branch, Main Stem, and South Branch of the Chicago River, as well as the Calumet River and Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal. Runners will be encouraged to read select passages from The Chicago River: a Natural and Unnatural History by Libby Hill. Come learn about the river that put Chicago on the map and makes its way through so much more of Chicago than just the downtown Riverwalk (though we’ll run that iconic location as well). Guide Chelsey Grassfield is the Policy Manager at Friends of the Chicago River and will be inviting colleagues from various organizations and agency partners to share their expertise on these runs.
About Read & Run Chicago:
Read & Run Chicago is the city's first and only running tour organization with routes built by stories! Our free running tours and book club runs are inspired by books set in Chicago, written by local authors. We connect runners and authors to run with purpose, explore thoughtfully, and bring books to life! Read & Run Chicago is queer woman-founded and operated. All bodies, paces, and walks of life all welcome. We've been featured in various media outlets including Runner's World, WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago, and more.
Stay in touch:
- Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://www.readandrunchicago.com/contact-us
- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readandrunchicago/?hl=en
WAIVER
By registering for this run, I acknowledge that Read & Run Chicago is not responsible for any personal harm endured by participants. I am aware that this run, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent, has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared and weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected change. I accept all the inherent risks of the proposed route and the possibility of personal injury, death or property damage or loss resulting there from. I agree that if I suffer injury or illness Read & Run Chicago can, at my cost, arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for my health and safety.I agree to have my photograph taken at the run to be used on social media and Read & Run Chicago's website.By reserving the ticket(s), I affirm that I have fully understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions, Waiver and Release of Liability.
In Part 4 of Read & Run Chicago's running tours along The Chicago River, we head to the Bubbly Creek area!
In this series, Read & Run Chicago Guide & Friends of the Chicago River Policy Manager Chelsey Grassfield leads runners on a series of river runs inspired by Libby Hill's The Chicago River: a Natural and Unnatural History!
Bubbly Creek, made famous by Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, in which he described it as “an arm of the Chicago River, [that] forms the southern boundary of the [Union Stock] yards: all the drainage of the square mile of [meat] packing houses empties into it, so that it is really a great open sewer…filth stays there forever and a day. The grease and chemicals that are poured into it undergo all sorts of strange transformations, which are the cause of its name; it’s constantly in motion…bubbles of carbonic acid gas will rise to the surface and burst…” Fortunately for us, it’s no longer an open sewer, and it’s an exciting time to visit this stretch of the river because the community is being asked to reimagine and envision its future.
We’ll start at the Eleanor Boathouse (whose architecture will remind those who joined us for the North Branch run of Clark Park’s Boathouse) travel to Cougle Chicken to see their modest but mighty contribution to a future connected riverfront path, and to Canal Origins Park and Riverwalk Park.
Here's everything you need to know about PART 4 of this series!
(NOTE: You do NOT have to have attended any previous river tours! The content of these runs build off each other but also stand alone)
- MEET UP: Meet at 6pm on Thursday, October 20 at Eleanor Boathouse (2828 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608). Note: Fall is upon us so this run will be mostly after sunset; our way should be well lit, but if you have a headlamp, feel free to bring it!
- RUN: This event features a ~3 mile, easy-paced route with various stops.
- POST-RUN: Optional post-run discussion with Guide Chelsey Grassfield will be held at Bridgeport Inn, a bar that allows you to order food from the surrounding area—a great way to try The Duck Inn (are all establishments “inns”?) without bumming them out that we showed up in sweaty workout clothes.
OPTIONAL READING: As this event is a running tour, reading the book prior is optional. If you do read the book inspiring this series, we suggest reading the following chapters from The Chicago River: a Natural and Unnatural History by Libby Hill:
- Ch. 11 Clean Stream to Open Sewer
- Ch. 18 Straightening the South Branch,
- Ch. 20 The MWRD
- Ch. 24 Greening the Watershed
About Guide Chelsey Grassfield:
Chelsey Grassfield has attended numerous Read and Run Chicago events and now enjoys guiding her own, based on some of her favorite Chicago-themed books. The most rewarding aspect is meeting others who value opportunities to explore the city on foot and through literature. She’s delighted to bring her expertise on the Chicago and Calumet Rivers, as Policy Manager at Friends of the Chicago River, to a series that explores the rivers’ history, present, and future.z
The Chicago River(s) Run series will feature runs along the North Branch, Main Stem, and South Branch of the Chicago River, as well as the Calumet River and Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal. Runners will be encouraged to read select passages from The Chicago River: a Natural and Unnatural History by Libby Hill. Come learn about the river that put Chicago on the map and makes its way through so much more of Chicago than just the downtown Riverwalk (though we’ll run that iconic location as well). Guide Chelsey Grassfield is the Policy Manager at Friends of the Chicago River and will be inviting colleagues from various organizations and agency partners to share their expertise on these runs.
About Read & Run Chicago:
Read & Run Chicago is the city's first and only running tour organization with routes built by stories! Our free running tours and book club runs are inspired by books set in Chicago, written by local authors. We connect runners and authors to run with purpose, explore thoughtfully, and bring books to life! Read & Run Chicago is queer woman-founded and operated. All bodies, paces, and walks of life all welcome. We've been featured in various media outlets including Runner's World, WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago, and more.
Stay in touch:
- Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://www.readandrunchicago.com/contact-us
- Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readandrunchicago/?hl=en
WAIVER
By registering for this run, I acknowledge that Read & Run Chicago is not responsible for any personal harm endured by participants. I am aware that this run, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent, has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared and weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected change. I accept all the inherent risks of the proposed route and the possibility of personal injury, death or property damage or loss resulting there from. I agree that if I suffer injury or illness Read & Run Chicago can, at my cost, arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for my health and safety.I agree to have my photograph taken at the run to be used on social media and Read & Run Chicago's website.By reserving the ticket(s), I affirm that I have fully understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions, Waiver and Release of Liability.