Clark Park to Weed Street

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Skill level: Beginner

Length: 3.37 miles

Directions: Clark Park is located on the west side of Rockwell St. (2600W.) ½ block south of Addison Street (3600N) in Chicago.  There is a small parking lot at the south end of the playing field.  Follow the path from the parking lot to the river and Canoe Launch.

Just past the Ashland Ave. Bridge, on both sides of the Webster Street Bridge, is the Webster Street Aeration Station. Use caution when approaching and passing through the Aeration Station.  Do not paddle in the aerated water.  Aerated water can affect the buoyancy of both boats and people passing through it (for example boats can float lower in the water).

Just past the North Ave. Bridge the river broadens into the North Ave. Turning Basin.  Turn left (east) and enter the North Branch Canal (the channel on the east side of Goose Island).  The Canal turns south and the Weed Street access is on river left.

The Weed Street access is at the west end of Weed Street just west of Kingsbury St. ½ block south of North Ave.

Note: Make sure you check the Weed Street Access before doing this trip if you intend to use Weed Street as a take out because depending on water levels it may not be accessible.