Momentum is building for the Englewood Nature Trail — a 1.8‑mile elevated greenway that will transform a former railroad corridor into a vibrant community space.
Stretching east–west from Wallace Street to Hoyne Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets, the trail crosses 26 viaducts and will connect homes, gardens, and gathering spaces across Englewood.
As part of a community‑driven design process, CDOT recently hosted a public meeting in Englewood to share updates on Phase II of the project (photos below). Residents and community partners reviewed early design concepts and offered input to shape the trail’s features, amenities, and identity before final plans are set.
Here’s what’s next for the Englewood Nature Trail:
- Final design guidelines are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
- CDOT will host a meeting next winter to present the final design.
- Construction is anticipated to begin between 2027 and 2029.
The trail will link Englewood’s growing network of urban farms and gardens, expanding local food access and supporting health, wellness, business development, and new jobs. Designed from the ground up with community leadership, this trail isn’t just a new path — it’s a catalyst for neighborhood connection and opportunity.
Once complete, the Englewood Nature Trail will stand as a local model for how unused rail corridors can be reimagined as green, people‑centered public spaces that celebrate nature, urban agriculture, and community.
The vision is steadily taking shape:
- 2018 – The City of Chicago acquired the railroad land from Norfolk Southern Railroad.
- 2022 – $6 million in phase I design funding was allocated by the City of Chicago.
- 2022 – A $20 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation advanced design and construction.
The corridor was built in 1917 when the Pennsylvania Railroad built the elevated line to serve nearby industry. Though trains stopped running in the 1960s, this historic railway is set for new life — connecting people, nature, and opportunity across Englewood.