In a recent WTTW News story about the Chicago Fire FC’s proposed stadium develop the 62-acre site along the South Branch of the Chicago River known as The 78, Friends of the Chicago River expressed strong disappointment with the proposed plans that show “lifeless seawalls and hardscape trails” along the extensive riverfront.

Friends told WTTW, “We have seen time and again how bold dreams and big ideas about the Chicago River’s potential bring substantial economic, community and environmental value to the city. This site is particularly important, due to its enormous scale — longer than the downtown riverwalk — and the tens of thousands of visitors who will come to the site.”

In the story, Friends “pointed to plans for Foundry Park, a development taking shape on the north end of what was the Lincoln Yards site, as an example of nature-based, riverfront design done right.”

“Concepts include multilayered native vegetation, naturally sloped riverbanks, restored habitat zones,” Friends noted. The story also includes a rendering of proposed river-edge treatments at Foundry Park.

Read the full story here.