The World’s First Ever Floating Eco-Park

15:45 - 16:15

La Centrale, Nuvola Lavazza

The river as a new public space and a community in constant dialogue with nature. A model of active urban ecological restoration from Chicago.

The Wild Mile is a pioneering floating eco-park transforming a mile-long stretch of Chicago’s North Branch Canal into a vibrant, wildlife-rich public space.

Initiated by Urban Rivers, a nonprofit founded in 2014, the project began with small-scale experiments using floating garden rafts made from recycled materials. These modular habitats support native wetland plants and aquatic life, filtering pollutants and providing habitat for birds, fish, and freshwater mussels.

The Wild Mile is designed as a community-driven, wildlife-first space. It features accessible boardwalks, kayak docks, and educational platforms that engage local residents and students in environmental stewardship. The project has expanded over time, with the second phase completed in 2024, adding more floating gardens and public amenities. It has garnered international attention as a successful model for urban ecological restoration.

Chicago

Nick Wesley Executive Director and Co-Founder

Urban Rivers Wild Mile Chicago

Nick Wesley is Executive Director and co-founder of Urban Rivers and has led the development of Wild Mile from its grassroots origins to its current status as a globally recognized urban ecology project. Through his work, overcoming technical and regulatory challenges, the Wild Mile project continues to inspire similar initiatives in other cities around the world.

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