In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the State of Indiana drained what was once the largest inland wetlands in the entire country: The Grand Kankakee Marsh. In doing so, they destroyed the natural landscape in favor of agricultural land, decimated native wildlife populations, and altered the functionality of the Kankakee River and its wetlands. The Kankakee River Revival Comprehensive Master Plan seeks to remedy the consequences suffered over a century ago, while also building a stronger, more resilient landscape for the future. This massive restoration and planning effort will serve both the users of the design and members of the nearby communities, while simultaneously strengthening habitat for native wildlife, building resiliency to annual flooding, and creating an identity for the area.
The plan calls for upwards of 80,000 acres of land adjacent to the Kankakee River to be restored, as well as returning over 400 meanders to the river’s course. The modifications to the floodplain, aside from the tremendous benefits for wildlife, increases the storage capacity of the riparian corridor by over 1000%, combatting the rising trend of devastating flood events in the area.
In addition to the restoration of the natural landscape, the master plan establishes a network of 20 different regional trails that connects roughly 40 communities and provides direct access to nearly 200,000 individuals. Running from South Bend, IN to Kankakee, IL, the Kankakee River Regional Trail System boasts 74 individualized trailheads, connected by upwards of 275 miles of trail. Aside from the main trails, the plan also proposes a number of new hiking areas and increases the access to recreational interests within the region.
This is the Kankakee River Revival.