![People crowd The 606 trail in the Wicker Park neighborhood...]()
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
People crowd The 606 trail in the Wicker Park neighborhood on March 25, 2020.
![The Lakefront trail reopened June 22, 2020 after Chicago's Mayor...]()
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
The Lakefront trail reopened June 22, 2020 after Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the Lakefront and the 606 Bloomingdale trails for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
![Police close the lakeshore trail at near North Avenue on...]()
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Police close the lakeshore trail at near North Avenue on March 25, 2020.
![A paddleboarder makes his way along Lake Michigan just before...]()
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
A paddleboarder makes his way along Lake Michigan just before the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a flyover of Chicago on May 12, 2020.
![People enjoy the lakefront near the Diversey Harbor inlet in...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
People enjoy the lakefront near the Diversey Harbor inlet in Chicago on June 12, 2020.
![People engage in social distancing as they get some fresh...]()
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
People engage in social distancing as they get some fresh air along the lakefront at North Avenue on March 21, 2020.
![A bicyclist on the reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A bicyclist on the reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago on June 22, 2020.
![Walkers use the reopened 606 Bloomingdale trail June 22, 2020,...]()
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Walkers use the reopened 606 Bloomingdale trail June 22, 2020, after Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the trail and the lake front for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
![Barricades on the Lakefront Trail at Fullerton Avenue on June...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Barricades on the Lakefront Trail at Fullerton Avenue on June 12, 2020.
![Chicago Police limit access to the lakefront trail, including at...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Chicago Police limit access to the lakefront trail, including at Fullerton Avenue seen here, on, March 25, 2020.
![People enjoy the weather along Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
People enjoy the weather along Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park on May 13, 2020.
![A runner speaks to Chicago police on Chicago's closed Lakefront...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A runner speaks to Chicago police on Chicago's closed Lakefront Trail near Belmont Avenue, March 26, 2020.
![Closed off Oak Street beach in Chicago on June 12,...]()
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Closed off Oak Street beach in Chicago on June 12, 2020.
![The lakefront near Montrose Harbor on Feb. 23, 2021.]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
The lakefront near Montrose Harbor on Feb. 23, 2021.
![People on the lakefront at Belmont Avenue on Feb. 23,...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
People on the lakefront at Belmont Avenue on Feb. 23, 2021.
![As temperatures reach into the upper 70s, young men get...]()
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
As temperatures reach into the upper 70s, young men get together for a pickup game of basketball in Chicago's Jackson Park on April 7, 2020.
![A message outside the First Unitarian Church of Chicago is...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
A message outside the First Unitarian Church of Chicago is seen on April 6, 2020.
![With the Chicago skyline in the background, relatively small amounts...]()
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
With the Chicago skyline in the background, relatively small amounts of people get some fresh air along the lakefront at North Avenue after 5 p.m. March 21, 2020. Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state of Illinois starting at 5 p.m. March 21 through at least April 7.
![A man with a face mask passes by a mural...]()
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
A man with a face mask passes by a mural of the Chicago flag as he walks along North Michigan Avenue on April 6, 2020.
![People play soccer at Haas Park as warmer weather brings...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
People play soccer at Haas Park as warmer weather brings Chicagoans outdoors despite social distancing restrictions, March 25, 2020 in Logan Square.
![Two men wear medical masks while walking past others in...]()
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Two men wear medical masks while walking past others in the 5100 block of the Lakefront Trail on March 25, 2020, in Chicago.
![People run, walk, and bike on the Lakefront Trail near...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
People run, walk, and bike on the Lakefront Trail near Diversey Harbor in Chicago on June 12, 2020.
![A cyclist moves around barriers set up to block access...]()
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
A cyclist moves around barriers set up to block access to the lakefront trail at 67th St. in Chicago on May 13, 2020.
![A person runs along the lakefront on the campus of...]()
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
A person runs along the lakefront on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston on April 21, 2020.
![People use the Lakefront Trail near Belmont Harbor on June...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
People use the Lakefront Trail near Belmont Harbor on June 15, 2020, in Chicago.
![Mystee Moore, from left, Alex Enochs and Troy Foster spend...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Mystee Moore, from left, Alex Enochs and Troy Foster spend time on the Chicago lakefront at Belmont Avenue on Feb. 23, 2021, after it was announced that the lakefront would officially reopen after having been ordered closed by city officials nearly one year.
![Joggers and rollerbladers use the reopened the Lakefront Trail in...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Joggers and rollerbladers use the reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago on June 22, 2020.
![Pedestrians walk along a break wall at Hollywood Beach on...]()
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
Pedestrians walk along a break wall at Hollywood Beach on May 13, 2020, in Chicago.
![People walk and exercise along Chicago's lakefront near Oak Street...]()
Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune
People walk and exercise along Chicago's lakefront near Oak Street Beach, March 25, 2020.
![Montrose and Foster Beaches and surrounding park areas are empty...]()
Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune
Montrose and Foster Beaches and surrounding park areas are empty and remain closed under Governor J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Chicago. . (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
![Joggers on the Lakefront Trail near Diversey Harbor on a...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Joggers on the Lakefront Trail near Diversey Harbor on a mild Wednesday morning, March 25, 2020.
![A jogger uses the Lakefront Trail near Foster Avenue Beach...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A jogger uses the Lakefront Trail near Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago, Feb. 23, 2021.
![Young men play basketball in Calumet Park in Chicago on...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Young men play basketball in Calumet Park in Chicago on March 25, 2020. The city of Chicago has begun closing public parks — and may close the lakefront — in order to encourage or enforce social distancing during the COVID-19 virus pandemic. People are encouraged to maintain a distance between themselves of at least 6 feet as a means of slowing the spread of the virus.
![People take advantage of the reopened Lakefront Trail in Chicago,...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
People take advantage of the reopened Lakefront Trail in Chicago, south of Fullerton, on June 22, 2020.
![Joggers, walkers and bicyclists use the reopened the Lakefront Trail...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Joggers, walkers and bicyclists use the reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago on June 22, 2020 after Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the trail and the lake front for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
![A bicyclist approaches Chicago's closed Lakefront Trail near Belmont Avenue...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A bicyclist approaches Chicago's closed Lakefront Trail near Belmont Avenue on March 26, 2020.
![Chicago police Officer Tina Susa redirects a bicyclist on Chicago's...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Chicago police Officer Tina Susa redirects a bicyclist on Chicago's closed Lakefront Trail near Belmont Avenue on March 26, 2020. The city's Lakefront Trail, adjoining parks, beaches and The 606 trail are closed, according to Ald. James Cappleman, 46th.
![A police officer talks to a group of people playing...]()
John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune
A police officer talks to a group of people playing near the Foster Turf Fields along the Lakefront Trail, March 25, 2020, in Chicago. A member of the group, who did not give his name, said the officer requested they play a reasonable distance from one another, after having been told to vacate a nearby soccer field.
![Posted signage encourages users of the reopened Lakefront Trail to...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Posted signage encourages users of the reopened Lakefront Trail to keep moving and not congregate on June 22, 2020.
![Tessa, 36, rests on the sand as pedestrians walk along...]()
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
Tessa, 36, rests on the sand as pedestrians walk along the break wall at Hollywood Beach on May 13, 2020, in Chicago.
![A person walks along the lakefront at North Avenue Beach...]()
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
A person walks along the lakefront at North Avenue Beach on March 21, 2020.
![People use the Lakefront Trail near Belmont Harbor on June...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
People use the Lakefront Trail near Belmont Harbor on June 15, 2020, in Chicago.
![Runners and walkers use the reopened 606 Bloomingdale trail June...]()
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Runners and walkers use the reopened 606 Bloomingdale trail June 22, 2020, after Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the trail and the lakefront for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
![A man skis on the Chicago lakefront at Belmont Avenue...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
A man skis on the Chicago lakefront at Belmont Avenue on Feb. 23, 2021.
![People hang out in warm weather at Oz Park in...]()
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
People hang out in warm weather at Oz Park in Chicago during the coronavirus pandemic on April 7, 2020.
![Police barricades block a tunnel access to the lakefront, south...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Police barricades block a tunnel access to the lakefront, south of Belmont Avenue, under Lake Shore Drive in Chicago on March 26, 2020.
![After people flocked to Lake Michigan on a warm day,...]()
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
After people flocked to Lake Michigan on a warm day, Chicago Police limit access to the lakefront trail, including at Fullerton Avenue seen here, on March 25, 2020.
![Plenty of people use The 606 trail on March 25,...]()
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Plenty of people use The 606 trail on March 25, 2020, in Chicago.
![Two women take a swim in Lake Michigan at Loyola...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Two women take a swim in Lake Michigan at Loyola Park and Beach on June 4, 2020, in Chicago.
![An officer exits a police SUV to talk with a...]()
John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune
An officer exits a police SUV to talk with a group of people playing near the Foster Turf Fields along the Lakefront Trail, March 25, 2020, in Chicago.
![Joggers on the Lakefront Trail near the Diversey Harbor inlet...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Joggers on the Lakefront Trail near the Diversey Harbor inlet on March 25, 2020.
![After people flocked to Lake Michigan on a warm day,...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
After people flocked to Lake Michigan on a warm day, Chicago Police limit access to the lakefront trail, including at Fullerton Avenue seen here, on March 25, 2020.
![Andre Yavetsky works out on the lakefront at Belmont Avenue...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Andre Yavetsky works out on the lakefront at Belmont Avenue on Feb. 23, 2021.
![A jogger is seen in Chicago's Humboldt Park on April...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
A jogger is seen in Chicago's Humboldt Park on April 6, 2020. Despite warming temperatures, the park was nearly empty. Due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the city has imposed measures to keep people from gathering in large groups in public.
![Two people hang out at Loyola Park and Beach on...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Two people hang out at Loyola Park and Beach on June 4, 2020, in Chicago.
![People walk around a fallen police barricade while enjoying the...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
People walk around a fallen police barricade while enjoying the weather in Lincoln Park on May 13, 2020.
![A woman runs on a trail near West Wilson Drive...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A woman runs on a trail near West Wilson Drive on Chicago's lakefront near Montrose Harbor on Feb. 23, 2021.
![Two people take in a view of the lakefront while...]()
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Two people take in a view of the lakefront while sitting on a ledge North of 67th St. in Chicago's Jackson Park on May 13, 2020.
![Runners and walkers use the reopened 606 Bloomingdale trail June...]()
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Runners and walkers use the reopened 606 Bloomingdale trail June 22, 2020.
![A group hangs out at Loyola Park and Beach during...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
A group hangs out at Loyola Park and Beach during a warm afternoon on June 4, 2020.
![People enjoy the sunshine on the Lakefront Trail near Foster...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
People enjoy the sunshine on the Lakefront Trail near Foster Avenue Beach in Chicago on Feb. 23, 2021.
![A person sits in a hammock, March 25, 2020 in...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
A person sits in a hammock, March 25, 2020 in Logan Square.
![A jogger runs onto a bridge at North Avenue beach...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A jogger runs onto a bridge at North Avenue beach in Chicago on June 22, 2020 after Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the trail and the lake front for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
![Montrose Harbor is empty of boats on April 7, 2020,...]()
Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune
Montrose Harbor is empty of boats on April 7, 2020, in Chicago. All docks, boat storage facilities, parking lots, launch ramps, and other harbor properties are closed to the public through April 30 due to Governor J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order.
![Chicago police officers talk to a woman as they patrol...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Chicago police officers talk to a woman as they patrol North Avenue beach near the reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago on June 22, 2020.
![Yovany Valdez works out in Harrison Park in the Pilsen...]()
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Yovany Valdez works out in Harrison Park in the Pilsen neighborhood on April 6, 2020. "I gotta stay healthy and burn off this stress," he says.
![Police close the lakeshore trail at Fullerton on March 25,...]()
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Police close the lakeshore trail at Fullerton on March 25, 2020.
![Chicagoans enjoy the reopened Lakefront trail June 22, 2020.]()
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Chicagoans enjoy the reopened Lakefront trail June 22, 2020.
![A jogger takes advantage of the mild temperatures to run...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A jogger takes advantage of the mild temperatures to run on the Lakefront Trail near Diversey Harbor on March 25, 2020.
![Boats are still in storage at Crowley's Yacht Yard on...]()
Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune
Boats are still in storage at Crowley's Yacht Yard on the South Side in Chicago on April 7, 2020. The annual Chicago bridge lifts allowing boats to go from the Chicago River to the Lake will likely not happen until May, because the lakefront harbors and marinas are closed due to the coronavirus.
![After people flocked to Lake Michigan on a warm day,...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
After people flocked to Lake Michigan on a warm day, Chicago police limit access to the lakefront trail, including at Fullerton Avenue on March 25, 2020. The city of Chicago is trying to enforce the concept of "social distancing" during the COVID-19 virus pandemic. People are encouraged to maintain a distance between themselves of at least six feet as a means of slowing the spread of the virus.
![Joggers run along on the Lakefront Trail on March 25,...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Joggers run along on the Lakefront Trail on March 25, 2020.
![People pass over fallen barricades while enjoying the weather in...]()
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
People pass over fallen barricades while enjoying the weather in Lincoln Park near Lake Michigan on May 13, 2020. Chicago's lakefront will remain closed, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
![People walk and ride bikes on the Lakefront Trail in...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
People walk and ride bikes on the Lakefront Trail in Chicago on June 12, 2020.
![The sun appears at the Chicago lakefront near Montrose Harbor...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
The sun appears at the Chicago lakefront near Montrose Harbor on Feb. 23, 2021.
![Amanda Johnson walks her dog, Bella, along the Lakefront Trail...]()
John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune
Amanda Johnson walks her dog, Bella, along the Lakefront Trail on March 21, 2020, in Chicago.
![A man runs near Montrose Harbor on Feb. 23, 2021.]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
A man runs near Montrose Harbor on Feb. 23, 2021.
![People spend time along the shore of Lake Michigan at...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
People spend time along the shore of Lake Michigan at Loyola Park and Beach on June 4, 2020.
![A biker passes the 5-mile marker on the reopened Lakefront...]()
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
A biker passes the 5-mile marker on the reopened Lakefront trail June 22, 2020 after Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot closed the Lakefront and the 606 Bloomingdale trails for nearly three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
![Two women spend a hot day at Loyola Park and...]()
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Two women spend a hot day at Loyola Park and Beach on June 4, 2020.
![Joggers and walkers use reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago...]()
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Joggers and walkers use reopened the Lakefront Trail in Chicago on June 22, 2020.
![People walk along the Lakefront Trail on March 21, 2020,...]()
John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune
People walk along the Lakefront Trail on March 21, 2020, in Chicago. Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order, which began at 5 p.m. March 21, to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19.
![The tiny Pine Park, at 95th Street and Oglesby Avenue...]()
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
The tiny Pine Park, at 95th Street and Oglesby Avenue in Chicago, is closed on March 25, 2020.
![Pedestrians and a jogger enjoy the nice weather as they...]()
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Pedestrians and a jogger enjoy the nice weather as they pass an advertisement showing the Chicago skyline at Michigan Ave. and Roosevelt Rd., on April 6, 2020.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she doesn’t have plans to close streets to traffic and open them up for people to run and do their exercise there instead.
“That’s not in our immediate plans,” Lightfoot said at a news conference to praise people and businesses who support first responders.
Since Lightfoot closed down the city’s Lakefront Trail and adjacent parks, some green space enthusiasts and exercise aficionados have pushed for her to make streets available to pedestrians and cyclists so it can be easier for them to do so outdoors without being near one another.
Asked about that, Lightfoot said it’s not in the city’s plans but reiterated that she doesn’t have a problem with people being outside for their exercise.
“The issue is congregating,” Lightfoot said.
Twitter @royalpratt
