Did You Know?
Want to improve the Des Plaines River Trail?
The Des Plaines River Trail has been a part of the north and northwest suburbs for decades, connecting people from northern Lake County into the suburbs of Cook County.
It's a fun place to walk, bike, run, ride a horse or paddle in the river. But portions of the trail in northern Cook County are challenging to get to on foot or bike, and the trail has several harrowing road crossings. Thousands of people who live close by may feel unsafe walking or biking there. Once they arrive, trail users travel a short distance before facing a busy street to cross.
Many, including those with children or a low tolerance for fast moving traffic, may stay away from this beautiful, scenic trail because they don’t have a safe route to it. Those who work at office parks and the community college close to the trail could easily commute by bike — if the right connections were available.
Active Trans is leading a study to address some of these challenges, in partnership with the Northwest Municipal Conference, and the towns of Wheeling, Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, Niles, Park Ridge, and the consulting firms Houseal Lavine and Gewalt Hamilton.
The team is looking at ways to make it easier and safer to enjoy the trail between Lake Cook and Higgins Roads. If you use the trail, or wish you could, please share your ideas through this online survey and interactive mapping tool.
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