606 Park and Trail opens to the public

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The 606 Park and Trail opened to cyclists, runners, and pedestrians Saturday morning.

Hundreds of bicyclists took the inaugural ride along the new North Side trail, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"To everybody from Chicago and the Chicago area, we open this beautiful park, that is now, even before it's officially done, it's a landmark," Emanuel said.

PHOTOS: The 606 Park & Trail opens to the public

The uninterrupted trail and park land, elevated above city streets, stretches 2.7 miles along the Bloomingdale Trail and connects four Chicago neighborhoods: Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. The trail, which stretches between Ashland Avenue and Ridgeway along the Bloomingdale Avenue, connects six neighborhood parks and has an observatory.

The name "606" comes from the first three numbers in all Chicago zip codes.

The space has been transformed from old railroad embankments into a trail and park system. City officials and civic organizations started 10 years ago with efforts to rehab the space with federal funds. Work began a year ago.

"This was a 100-year-old elevated line, a piece of our industrial heritage that we're re-purposing for the next hundred years," said Beth White, of the Trust for Public Land in Chicago. "It's really a remarkable thing when you look at all the parts, and there are so many entry parts not just physically but intellectually about how do you work on a project like this? And it's all about collaboration."

Schools are expected to bring students for field trips to teach children about Chicago's history.

"I am ecstatic, just over the moon about this," White says. "We've worked really hard for a really long time with so many bright, talented, dedicated people, and we're just thrilled to open it up today for everyone to enjoy."

A gala was held Friday night to preview the park, hosted by ABC 7's Steve Dolinsky.