CHICAGO _ Chicago's iconic Lakefront Trail will have a limited reopening starting next Monday, while the city's bars and breweries can reopen for outdoor service beginning Wednesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced.
The Lakefront Trail will reopen solely for exercise and transit, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting on Monday June 22, but residents must "keep it moving," either while walking, running, biking or rollerblading on the trail, the mayor's office said in a news release.
Only half the trail's access points will be open, the mayor's office said, and park security will work with Chicago police and the Office of Emergency Management and Communication to ensure trail-goers are following public health guidelines.
"We are thrilled to be taking these long-awaited steps forward in reopening our city by safely bringing our bars back online with outside service, and, of course, taking our first, cautious move toward reopening our beloved lakefront," Lightfoot said.
"Though we still have a long way to go before life fully returns to normal, we are able to make these important steps thanks to the commitment and collaboration with our local businesses who have been true partners throughout this unprecedented crisis, as well as our fellow Chicagoans who have done their part to keep their communities protected by being responsible and preventing the spread of this disease."
But even as the mayor delivered the long-awaited news, her administration warned it could pull back the reopening if there's a spike in COVID-19 cases or people flout social distancing.
Lightfoot ordered Chicago's iconic lakefront and other high-profile public areas closed off in late March, shortly after crowds flouted social distancing rules to pack beaches and parks on a warm afternoon.
The move came just days into Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order and drew praise as a tough response to the burgeoning public health crisis. Internet users had launched a series of memes that boosted Lightfoot's profile by showing her blocking the Lakefront Trail and popping up in unexpected places as part of the anti-coronavirus campaign.
But as the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois has decreased, she's also been criticized for keeping the lakefront closed too long by restless Chicagoans.
In recent weeks, the security around Chicago's lakefront has lessened, with cops letting people through while doing less to stop them from going on the trail.
Though Lightfoot has made it clear the lakefront remains closed, residents have been able to access Lake Michigan as security around the trails has loosened.
Chicago's Riverwalk downtown officially reopened last Friday, with restrictions aimed at limiting activity and crowds.
The city also entered Phase Three of its planned reopening, which allowed various industries including restaurants and child care facilities, nonessential retail stores, hotels and limited services at hair and nail salons as well as barbershops to welcome customers back.
Public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady last week said the city is on pace to further reopen its economy on July 1, with restrictions potentially being loosened on indoor restaurant dining, museums and gyms.
