Northwestern to Add Fence West of Ryan Field

EVANSTON, IL - The way to a Northwestern Wildcats football game may change if your route to Ryan Field is by walking there from the west.

The Evanston City Council last week gave final approval to a University expansion project that now includes the construction of a fence that will cut off access to the stadium from Livingston Street, according to the Evanston Review.

The Northwestern expansion project - which also includes more parking in the north end of the Ryan Field lot, new lighting for the parking lot and additional sidewalks - originally called for a pathway to be constructed bridging Livingston Street and the athletic facility.

But 7th Ward Ald. Eleanor Revelle sided with neighbors living just west of Ryan Field who wanted to block off the access in that area citing the noise factor and the notion that people use the street to transport alcohol for tailgating prior to Saturday morning football games.

Others, like former 7th Ward Ald. Jane Grover, claim the fence sends the wrong message since Livingston has always been to go-to route to the stadium for many residents and visitors.

Those who walk to the game from the west will now likely have to come down Central Street, a much more busy thoroughfare than Livingston, and the northernmost access point fans would before the border of Wilmette.

Revelle issued an amendment to the project approval resolution calling for the fence rather than the path. The Council unanimously supported it.

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