Under Armour has partnered with The Trust for Public Land to support the The 606, Chicago’s world-class urban park and trail system. A gift from Under Armour will support continued development of The 606, including community
programming that will launch with students of neighboring Moos
Elementary as the pilot for initiatives linking students to the fitness
opportunities presented by the nearby trail.
Approximately fifty
students and their teachers joined Under Armour staff to celebrate the
partnership with a fun run on The 606 centerpiece, The Bloomingdale
Trail, which runs straight through some of the city’s most culturally
and economically diverse neighborhoods. Under Armour’s partnership with
The Trust for Public Land, The 606’s lead private partner, provides the
opportunity to engage youth in fitness activities, using The 606 to
support a healthy lifestyle.
“Under Armour is proud to partner with The Trust for Public Land to support The 606 and bring our innovative brand to this incredible community asset,” said Stacey Ullrich, Director of Corporate Giving, Under Armour. “The 606 and the Under Armour brand will be deeply woven into the fabric of the community, promoting an active lifestyle and providing educational programming to local schools and residents.”
Providing nearly three miles of uninterrupted paved trail with rubber running paths, The Bloomingdale Trail and its four connected, ground level parks along The 606 are the ultimate destination for runners, walkers and bikers. The parks and trail – as well as neighborhood schools – offer an ideal addition to Under Armour’s commitment to revolutionize the running experience, elevate Chicago and connect diverse communities.
“Under Armour’s sponsorship of The 606 will make this park an even better place for runners.” said Beth White, The Trust for Public Land’s Chicago Region Director. “Under Armour’s support for The Trust for Public Land will also help us complete The 606 over the next two years and further expand the role of the park in the communities we serve-and throughout Chicago.” White noted that there are two more parks to build as part of The 606 as well as additional community activities to be developed, funded and integrated into the project.
The 606, named for the first three zip code digits Chicagoans share, brings much-needed green space and alternative transportation options to the city, connecting the neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Logan Square through the innovative conversion of a former elevated railroad. The park system, the first phase of which officially opened in June 2015, also includes an observatory, art installations and event space, serving more than 80,000 neighboring Chicago residents, including 20,000 youth and 20 schools within a half-mile, as well as visitors and tourists from around the world.
Today’s event began at Moos Elementary School (1711 N. California) with healthy snacks and a warmup led by instructors. Students, equipped with Under Armour t-shirts and running shoes, then demonstrated the benefits of physical activity with a fun run on The Bloomingdale Trail from California Ave. to Western Ave.
Under Armour also plans to pursue opportunities for Connected Fitness technology on The 606 to link to the UA Record App and challenge runners and athletes to rethink their expectations of training. Under Armour will also connect with local schools to empower Chicago’s next generation of athletes.
The 606 is located just four miles from Under Armour’s Michigan Avenue Brand House. This Under Armour specialty store opened in spring 2015 and features the world’s largest collection of Under Armour apparel, footwear and equipment, including localized Chicago products and the first wearables retail bar.
With this community announcement and pledge, Under Armour continues to expand its connections to Chicago and the surrounding areas. The company has already partnered with such iconic regional athletic institutions as the Chicago Cubs, Northwestern University and the University of Notre Dame.
The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. More than 7 million people live within a 10-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit tpl.org.
