The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) was recognized with the 2025 Blue Ribbon Award by Friends of the Chicago River (FOCR) for its transformative Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project. The award was announced during the annual Chicago-Calumet River Summit held on Jan. 30.

The Blue Ribbon Award is the highest honor bestowed through Friends' annual Chicago River Blue Awards program, recognizing exceptional projects that advance the health and vitality of the Chicago-Calumet River system. Only one Blue Ribbon Award is given each year.

Friends of the Chicago River selected the MWRD's project for its innovative design, immense scale and multiple positive impacts. The restoration initiative integrates nature-based solutions to reduce stormwater and flooding, while also creating new recreational waterfront access and delivering a wide range of community benefits. The MWRD has been a recipient of the Friends' Silver Ribbon Award three times as well as the Green Ribbon three times, but this is the first Blue Ribbon honor.

"We are honored to receive the Blue Ribbon Award and grateful to Friends of the Chicago River for this recognition," said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. "This project exemplifies our commitment to sustainable infrastructure and community-centered environmental restoration."

The Robbins project provides 100-year-level flood protection to over 90 homes, businesses and buildings across 140 acres of historically underserved Robbins. In addition to flood relief, the diversion channel and trail along with stormwater pond and park space, restored channel and native vegetation that will provide residents with an attractive outdoor space. The stormwater pond within the park will have stone riffles and fish habitats as well as native plants and canopies to benefit various wildlife.

"The Chicago River Blue Awards shine a light on projects that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to the health of the river system and the watershed," said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River. "This year's Blue Ribbon Award winner, the Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project, led by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, exemplifies what's possible when ecologically and economically smart river-sensitive design guides decision-making. By reducing flooding, restoring habitat, and improving water quality while creating meaningful public space, this project delivers lasting benefits for people, wildlife, and the entire Chicago-Calumet River system."

The project stemmed from the MWRD's 2014 plan to address flooding along Midlothian Creek. From that initial work, a series of community planning workshops led to residential input and new partnerships and funding from Cook County, the. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Chi-Cal Rivers fund administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Through coordination with the residents of Robbins, the project plan developed to balance flood protection, community park uses and economic development. This collaboration helped transform the project into not just a stormwater management project, but into a project that could provide economic, environmental, and social benefits to Robbins.

"The Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project will serve as a model for future urban watershed improvements, demonstrating how ecological restoration can be leveraged to enhance resilience, equity, and quality of life," said MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn.

MWRD Commissioner Sharon Waller also attended the ceremony and expressed her support for the honor and community participation that went into the project.

"We are grateful to all project partners and Robbins residents who were active in planning the project, providing feedback and contributed to its success. We are honored to receive the Blue Ribbon Award from Friends of the Chicago River," said Commissioner Waller.

For more information about MWRD's stormwater management partnership programs, visit mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships.