Feasibility Study of Use of UP Tracks as Bike/Walking Trail Completed - Board to Review
The final feasibility study to convert the unused Union Pacific Railroad tracks located in the center of downtown Northfield and extending south in Glenview and Wilmette and north into Glencoe and Northbrook has been completed and the Committee of the Whole discussed the study on July 15 and authorized sending it to the Board for their August meeting. In addition they approved authorizing having the Village President sign a letter to Union Pacific asking for a railbanking lease in order to develop the railroad right of way. The communities of Northbrook, Glenview and Wilmette are also sending similar letters.
The feasibility study shows how the unused Union Pacific railroad tracks can be turned into a linear park/walking/biking trail and connect to the Skokie Valley Trail in Lake County to the north and the Skokie Trail to the south.
Development of this unused rail line would be a long term project for the Villages and it is hoped that with various grants and donations, this currently neglected tract of land can be turned into a strip of beauty providing a nature park for the area, and a walking and biking trail that would offer an alternate means of transportation and "Safe Route to School" as well as provide economic enhancements to community shops and restaurants.
