Greenways and Trails

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 and continued to be supported through the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan, 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.

Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan

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.

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Technical assistance

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.

The following partner-led projects show how the region is working toward the vision of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan:

• Improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail will strengthen one of the region’s most important north-south trail corridors by addressing flooding, safety, access, and roadway and railroad crossings. The project will close a gap in the regional trail network and improve connections for people walking, biking, and accessing nearby communities and destinations.
• The West Branch DuPage River Trail project will complete a key missing link between Blackwell and West DuPage Woods forest preserves. By adding new trail connections and bridge infrastructure, the project advances the region’s vision for a connected regional greenways and trails system that supports recreation, transportation, and access to natural areas.
• The Lake Cook Path project will create a shared-use connection between the Skokie Valley Path and the Chicago Botanic Garden, improving access across major barriers including U.S. 41 and the Skokie River. The project improves regional trail connectivity and making walking and biking safer and more convenient across community and county lines.
• The Plum Creek Greenway Trail extension will help close a trail gap between Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and Plum Valley Preserve in Will County. The project expands access to greenways, improves trail continuity, and supports low-emission transportation and recreation options.