Providing a connected corridor for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the region

The Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan, adopted as part of ON TO 2050, is a long-range plan which envisions a network of continuous greenway and trail corridors providing scenic beauty, natural habitat, and recreational and transportation opportunities. Completing this plan and complementary on-street facilities would create a robust, integrated network, connecting pedestrians and cyclists to communities and amenities across the region.

Regional greenways and trails map

The greenways and trails plan includes conceptual alignments for the planned trail network. It will help implementers and funding agencies advance their projects, since proposals related to the plan may be more attractive to funding agencies. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) occasionally revisits previously proposed trails to ensure they are still valid recommendations and make technical corrections.

What is the region doing today?

CMAP uses the greenways and trails plan to guide funding decisions for the Transportation Alternatives Program. In 2023, CMAP awarded more than $90 million to 17 projects through the program, including:

  • Bull Valley Road shared use path, bridge, and lighting improvements in McHenry County
  • Burnham Greenway Gap in Burnham
  • Millennium Trail in Lake County
  • Old Plank Road Trail extension in Sauk Village
  • Plum Creek Greenway Trail in Will County
  • Skokie Valley Trail in Wilmette

As of 2024, 47.4% of the greenways and trails plan has been completed, including both existing and programmed trail miles.