Facility Tours

Schedule

Monday, September 29

Facility Tour 1: Stormwater Management: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project

9:10 am to 12:50 pm

Registration fee: $60.00

Tour Description: Discover how the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is partnering with the Village of Robbins to reduce flooding, restore Midlothian Creek, and create new recreational and economic opportunities to revitalize the community.

This tour will highlight the Robbins Heritage Park & Midlothian Creek Restoration Project, designed to mitigate overbank flooding through a stormwater park and pond, creek improvements, and an overflow channel connecting to the Cal-Sag Channel. Attendees will learn about the project’s environmental and community impact, as well as future development plans.

The first phase of the project was completed on October 31, 2024, marking a major milestone in this transformative effort.

Registration Requirements: Advance registration is required by August 22, 2025. Tickets will not be available for purchase after August 22, and substitutions are not permitted.

Security Clearance Requirements: All participants must complete a waiver and provide a copy of a government-issued ID (U.S. driver’s license or passport). A separate email will be sent with a link to the online waiver form, which should be submitted along with the required documents immediately after registering.

Tour Requirements: The tour will take place in a park setting with paved paths, though some areas may have uneven terrain. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Tuesday, September 30

Facility Tour 2: Plant Chicago—Cultivating Local Circular Economies

9:30 am to 11:30 am

Registration fee: $75.00

Tour Description: Discover Chicago’s only circular-economy-focused community hub, housed in a historic 100-year-old firehouse transformed into a decarbonized, shared-use urban agriculture facility. This tour offers an inside look at innovative food systems and sustainable practices shaping the future of urban agriculture.

Participants will explore the industrial vortex generator, a collaborative growing space, along with various integrated systems, including aquaponics, hydroponics, beekeeping, and an on-site chicken coop. The tour also highlights the locally sourced retail space, subsidized food box program, and community initiatives that support food access and sustainability.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the hub’s educational programs, small business workshops, swap events, and solar outreach efforts. The tour will conclude with a Q&A session, providing insight into how this unique space fosters sustainability, community engagement, and economic resilience.

*The registration fee includes a donation to Plant Chicago, which is a registered 501(c)3 organization.

Registration Requirements: Advance registration is required by August 22, 2025. Tickets will not be available for purchase after August 22.

Tour Requirements: Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable attire for this tour. To reach the second-floor classroom, attendees will need to use a large staircase, as there is no elevator access.

Facility Tour 3: Wild Mile Tour

9:30 am to 11:30 am

Registration fee: $60.00

Tour Description: Explore the Wild Mile, the world’s first floating eco-park and a pioneering green infrastructure project by Urban Rivers. This tour highlights the transformation of the Chicago River through innovative ecological restoration and community-driven design. Participants will learn about the project’s history, its role in reintroducing critical native wetland habitats, and how it provides accessible greenspace in an otherwise hard-to-reach urban environment.

The tour will include an up-close look at the newest section of the Wild Mile, installed in 2024, and insights into the design and implementation process. Attendees will also gain a deeper understanding of the floating gardens’ impact on urban biodiversity and water quality. The experience will conclude with a Q&A session to discuss the project’s ongoing evolution and future initiatives.

Registration Requirements: Advance registration is required by August 22, 2025. Tickets will not be available for purchase after August 22.

Tour Requirements: Participants should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, as the tour takes place outdoors and involves extended walking and standing. The Wild Mile is ADA-accessible, but those who may have difficulty standing for long periods are encouraged to bring a mobility aid or folding seat.

Facility Tour 4: Collections Systems Tour: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant and the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP AKA “Deep Tunnel”) McCook Reservoir 

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Registration fee: $60.00

Tour Description: Explore one of the world’s largest wastewater treatment facilities at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), which processes an average of 700 million gallons per day with a capacity of up to 1.4 billion gallons per day.

This guided tour will provide an in-depth look at the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), including the “Deep Tunnel” pumping station and the McCook Reservoir, key components in managing stormwater and reducing flooding. Attendees will also learn about the plant’s biosolids operations, which play a critical role in sustainable waste management and resource recovery.

Registration Requirements: Advance registration is required by August 22, 2025. Tickets will not be available for purchase after August 22, and substitutions are not permitted.

Security Clearance Requirements: All participants must complete a waiver and provide a copy of a government-issued ID (U.S. driver’s license or passport). A separate email will be sent with a link to the online waiver form, which should be submitted along with the required documents immediately after registering.

Tour Requirements: Participants will travel between facilities on an ADA complaint bus. Wearing closed-toe shoes is recommended, and any required safety equipment will be provided by the facility.

Wednesday, October 1

Facility Tour 5: Collections Systems Tour: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant and the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP aka “Deep Tunnel”) McCook Reservoir - REPEAT

8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Registration fee: $60.00

Tour Description: Discover how the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is partnering with the Village of Robbins to reduce flooding, restore Midlothian Creek, and create new recreational and economic opportunities to revitalize the community.

This tour will highlight the Robbins Heritage Park & Midlothian Creek Restoration Project, designed to mitigate overbank flooding through a stormwater park and pond, creek improvements, and an overflow channel connecting to the Cal-Sag Channel. Attendees will learn about the project’s environmental and community impact, as well as future development plans.

The first phase of the project was completed on October 31, 2024, marking a major milestone in this transformative effort.

*This facility tour is a repeat of Facility Tour #4, which takes place on Tuesday, September 30.

Registration Requirements: Advance registration is required by August 22, 2025. Tickets will not be available for purchase after August 22, and substitutions are not permitted.

Security Clearance Requirements: All participants must complete a waiver and provide a copy of a government-issued ID (U.S. driver’s license or passport). A separate email will be sent with a link to the online waiver form, which should be submitted along with the required documents immediately after registering.

Tour Requirements: The tour will take place in a park setting with paved paths, though some areas may have uneven terrain. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Facility Tour 6: Chicago Riverwalk and McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum Tour

9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Registration fee: $75.00

Tour Description: Join a Friends of the Chicago River representative for a guided 45-minute walking tour along the Chicago Riverwalk, exploring over 40 years of efforts to restore and revitalize the river from environmental decline. Learn about key initiatives that have transformed the waterway into a thriving urban ecosystem.

The tour concludes at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, where guests will embark on a guided exploration of the Chicago-Calumet River system and the city’s iconic moveable bridges. This portion of the tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and provides a deeper look into the history, engineering, and significance of Chicago’s riverfront infrastructure.

*The registration fee includes admission to the museum.

Registration Requirements: Advance registration is required by August 22, 2025. Tickets will not be available for purchase after August 22.

Tour Requirements: Participants should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, as this is a walking tour. The Chicago Riverwalk is ADA-accessible, and the meeting location includes a ramp. The first floor of the Bridgehouse Museum is fully accessible, but access to the upper floors is only available via stairs.