Mayor Emanuel shows off Northerly Island progress

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As Chicago Park District summer programs began Monday and Tuesday, the city showed off progress at the new parkland on Northerly Island.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel was joined by other political leaders as well as engineers and environmental experts in touring the island.

Crews are converting some 50 acres of the island into contoured gardens, wetlands and a pond. The goal is to create an urban oasis in the heart of the city.

"We're going to restore this at every level, the trees, the ground-water, the fish, and make it part of nature," Emanuel said.

Construction on the island is expected to wrap up this fall.