Elmhurst update

Here is an update from Monday night's Elmhurst Park District. The topic at hand is whether to allow a Salt Creek Greenway/Illinois Prairie Path connection on Rex Road. Our West Suburban Coordinator Pamela Brookstein, board member Bob Hoel and the League of Illinois Bicyclists Ed Barsotti attended and made our voices heard. Thanks to everyone who came out showing your support! Here is a summary from Bob Hoel:

After the public comment period at the EPD Board meeting Monday night, the Board went ahead and discussed the report given to them by staff, which contained 3 options. It was moved and seconded to accept Option 2. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

Here is the wording of Option 2:

To follow the alternative sanctioned by Forest Preserve District staff (of DuPage County) to install off-street signage at a northern point (such as along the Illinois Prairie Path) and at a southern point (somewhere south of Madison) to indicate that the trail continues ahead thus providing some general direction for trail user without designating any specific street(s) and complete the connection point at Madison and Fairview.

Implications

• This means that the EPD will be in compliance with what the County requested so that no funds would have to be paid back.
• The trail will be finished out to Fairview and Madison.
• The Fairview few are not going to be happy.
• The residents on Rex will be happy.
• We can continue biking down the streets we have been using for the past two years.
• Theoretically, traffic will be dispersed across several street.

Thanks to everyone who participated in one way or another to bring us to this outcome. The worst situation would have been for the Board to agree to study this further.

Active Trans continues to fight for issues like this. If you aren't a member, please consider joining and adding your voice to the movement!