Transit station activation in Uptown brings positive presence to Broadway bus route with weekly outdoor yoga class

On Friday mornings now through the end of the year, CTA #36 and #81 bus riders and Red Line passengers through the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago may catch a glimpse of a dozen or so yogis practicing in a small, triangular patch of grass at Broadway and Lawrence. The free and open-to-all weekly yoga class organized by Uptown United is one of eight Transit Station Activations funded by a new grant program from the RTA.

In May, the RTA announced more than $120,000 in funding for eight Transit Station Activation projects near CTA, Metra, and Pace stations and stops. The projects will bring activities near transit, create a welcoming environment, and help address real or perceived public safety issues. The Transit Station Activation grant program was launched following the RTA Public Transit Safety and Security Summit in February 2024. The Summit brought together nearly 80 riders, transit professionals, and stakeholders to explore holistic solutions to the safety issues the transit system is facing.

Uptown United is the neighborhood development corporation for the Uptown neighborhood. The organization focuses on economic development, business support and development, public way aesthetics, and community events including the Argyle Night Market, wine walks, the Taste of Uptown, and more.

“A lot of effort goes into those big events, but we wanted to activate the Uptown Square area in particular more regularly,” said Uptown United Director of Neighborhood Services Justin Weidl. “At Broadway and Lawrence especially, we’re hearing that during the day or when there aren’t concerts [at the Riviera Theatre or Aragon Ballroom], it’s very empty. So just having a weekly yoga class that brings people here and is easy for people to participate in because it’s free goes a long way.”

With the normalization of hybrid work arrangements and with stations along the Red Line closed, moved, or under construction as part of the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization project (RPM), daytime foot traffic in this area of Uptown has decreased. Weidl said this can make people waiting for the bus uncomfortable, and bringing a greater human presence to the area is key to address perceived and real public safety issues.

“I think having health and wellness activities that people can see and walk past on their way to and from the bus stop really helps a lot while we’re dealing with the general loss in foot traffic of people coming from the train stations,” Weidl said.

Kristin Fogarty-Yi of the nearby Edgewater neighborhood has participated in two of the weekly yoga classes. She said typically she does not feel unsafe riding transit, but she can see the benefit of a positive presence near stops and stations for those who may feel unsafe, and investing in transit is important for the city as a whole.

“I don’t own a car, so public transit is important to me,” she said. “It’s an easy way to get around, and it’s just better for the environment when many more people take public transportation than drive cars everywhere.”

Jackie Jasperson, who led the yoga class on July 19 on behalf of Yoga Body Elements Studio, also said she does not feel unsafe riding transit but thinks programming transit station activations can only be a positive thing.

“When you see more people around, out and about, I think you feel more safe—there’s just no doubt about that,” she said. “And building community builds awareness. If there’s no community to be seen around here, we’re all going to keep our head down and go about our business, get to where there is some community. You can even see when we’re having a practice, people are walking by, they’re looking, they want to know what’s going on, and they want to be a part of it. So I think it’s awesome.”

The next Transit Station Activation will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 2, at the Loyola Red Line station plaza. The Rogers Park Business Alliance’s free Summer on the Plaza event will feature live music and refreshments. This activation will also take place on September 6 and October 4.

Then, Pace will host Activate Joliet: A Community Safety Celebration from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, at the Joliet Transit Center, 50 S. Chicago St. This free family-friendly event features a touch-a-bus experience, free food, live music, free caricatures, games, and coloring. Bring your Ventra card for a special prize.

Learn more about this year’s other Transit Station Activation projects.