Chicagoland Canoe Base - New Years Day Paddle

North Branch of the Chicago River

"Wherever there is a channel for water there is a road for the canoe"

Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

The Cook County Forest Preserve Commisioners passed a resolution on January 10th, 2007, naming that stretch of the North Branch of the Chicago river the Ralph Frese Canoe Trail.

Click here to see the resolution in its entirety.

HAPPY CA - NEW YEAR FROM CHICAGOLAND CANOE BASE

The 2008 New Years Day Canoe Trip on the North Branch of the Chicago River was one of the prettiest in the 22 year history of the event. The weather was moderate and the snowfall had coated the ground and vegetation completely and the river and its environs were a study in black and white.

Approximately 150 paddlers enjoyed floating through this living Chrismas card scene.

Thanks to the Cook County Forest Preserve District, Bill Koenig and his staff at the volunteer office and our County F.P.D. Commissioner, Larry Suffredin, we had the river cleared of blockages, a school bus for car shifting, help at the portages, a new landing site at the finish in Linne Woods, and a hot drink and a snack at the finish line. A dock has been promised at the Winnetka Road dam to ease that problem in the future. More improvements are being planned for the North Branch Canoe Trail.

Photos from Jan 1 2008

Click on the picture to expand.

Paddlers familiar with the New Year's Day launch site at the Willow Road Dam at Skokie Lagoons will be in for a surprise. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is planning to improve the existing dam structure to minimize flooding of the lower islands and to redo the sea walls below the dam. Unfortunately, all the trees lining the trail to the dam had to be removed, a requirement of the Illinois Dept. of Water Resources. It seems that the trail lies atop an earthen dam and trees are seen as a hazard to the integrity of the structure. As the dam has withstood almost 70 years of tree growth and the depth of water behind it is only a few feet deep, we do not know why an exception could not have been made instead of desecrating a green shoreline like this.

LET'S START OUT THE NEW YEAR THE RIGHT WAY: JOIN US ON THE NORTH BRANCH ON JANUARY 1st 2008

Details: Most participants own their own canoes and kayaks but rentals are available. Call 773-777-1489 for more details. Participants can organize their own car shuttles as in past years and buses also will be available, courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The District is also furnishing porta-potties and will have a sign-up tent at the start. Please be sure to sign in as we need to know the number of participants to encourage more recognition of paddlesports on our area waters.

Some start as early as 8 am and some show up as late as 10 or 11 am. A change of clothing in a waterproof bag is suggested. Trip length is roughly 6 1/2 miles. We plan to meet afterwards at Hackney's on Lake Street in Glenview for some good food and camaraderie.

Plan to join fellow canoeists and kayakers on the 22nd Annual New Years Day float down the scenic North Branch of the Chicago River, starting at Skokie Lagoons and ending at Linne Woods in Morton Grove. The following scenes illustrate the route as it winds it's way through our Cook County Forest Preserves.

Scenes from previous trips

We encourage all area paddlers to join us on this event as a strong turnout sends a strong message to our elected and regulatory officials that our area waterways are a tremendous recreational resource that is underused and can be used year-round. The annual New Years Day paddle is sponsored by the Cook County Forest Preserve District and is part of the ongoing effort by the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, the Open Lands Project, the Illinois Paddling Council and the Chicagoland Canoe Base to develop watertrails in our six county area. The North Branch of the Chicago River flowing through our scenic forest preserves needs our attention and help. For more information on how you can help, call Ralph Frese at 773-777-1489 or Email us at info@chicagolandcanoebase.com.

Let's start out the New Year the right way: Join us on the North Branch, January 1, 2008.