Born out of the need for more green space, the 606 parks and trail system gave new life to the unused Bloomingdale Line. When the train line slowed down in the 1990s, Chicago residents were called together to decide the best way to use the now available space. While the entire city was in need of accessible green spaces, the Logan Square neighborhood was of particular concern. In comparison with all other Chicago neighborhoods, Logan Square had the least open space per capita. In fact, just to meet Chicago’s minimum requirements, Logan Square would need an additional ninety-nine acres of accessible open space.
With such a great need for green space, it became clear that the Bloomingdale Line would need to be converted into a park system for the residents of Logan Square (and Chicago as a whole). This proposal was included in the 2004 Logan Square Open Space Plan. Additionally, this proposal led to the formation of Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail, a group whose insights were crucial in seeing the 606 through to the end. The planning process of the 606 is noted for including a healthy amount of public input. Residents were often invited to meetings to give their opinion on the design and functions of the park. Finally, after many meetings, the final design and name were revealed in 2013.