Illinois

Astronomer Joe Guzman wants to make one point clear—even if your view of the stars isn’t. “It’s a misconception that living in the big city means the night sky isn’t available to you,” he says, and he should know. As the Chicago Park District’s resident astronomer, Guzman is all about teaching city dwellers how to take to the sky from their own backyards, front stoops, or neighborhood parks.

A new report, the Illinois Assessment of Parks and Land Conservation Funding Needs and Economic Benefits, estimates that forest preserve, conservation, and park districts will need more than $3 billion in funding over the next five years to meet land acquisition and capital needs.

Can you believe it’s only been a year since the opening of The 606? Already, this one-of-a-kind park and trail has made a name for itself in Chicago—connecting neighborhoods, snagging awards, and transforming the commute for pedestrians and cyclists who can now travel for nearly three miles above traffic.