Site Of The 'Meigs Field Massacre' Transformed Into Parkland

It had been the site of the 1933-34 World's Fair, and then became a thriving airport. When the runways were bulldozed, in violation of various promises and covenants in the middle of the night in 2003, several airplanes were left stranded on the island that at the time was primarily known as Meigs field.

But the airport's 50-year lease with the city's parks department had expired in 1996, and then-Mayor Richard Daley wanted to convert the island back to parkland. Then-governor Jim Edgar and the state legislature intervened, authorizing a state takeover of the airport and keeping the field, which was used regularly by state and federal lawmakers, open until 2003. Then, in what some have called a stunning abuse of political power, Daley ordered the destruction of the runways under cover of darkness, saying, according to the Chicago Tribune, that it would stop terrorists from staging a World Trade Center-type attack in Chicago.

Daley was fined by the FAA and left the Mayor's office in 2011, but the park he envisioned on Northerly Island will finally be opened Friday.

The park cost $9.7 million to build, and takes up about half of the island. According to the Chicago Parks District website, the majority of the island's 91 acres is dedicated to nature. "The nature area at Northerly Island features beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas and a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline. It is also home to some of the best fishing in Chicago."

(Image from file)

FMI: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Northerly-Island/