The Millennium Park scenes were filmed in Hamilton Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.
"Follow your bliss" as stated by Jadis, was a quote popularized by American Philosopher Joseph Campbell.
Rick blew up the bridge, that linked Hilltop and other communities,to save his family and friends from the herd, in The Bridge (2018). As far as his friends and family knew, he did not survive the explosion. In What Comes After (2018), Rick apparently survives the aftermath, and is airlifted to the Civic Republic, due to Jadis' assistance.