THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE
PATH

[Wildflowers and bicycle riders in Wheaton

THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH is a 55-mile-long biking, hiking, jogging, equestrian, and nature trail in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties. The emblem shown here and on signs at road crossings provides several clues to the PATH's origin and uses. They include railroad spikes arranged in an inverted Y and three circles.

The railroad spikes indicate that the trail follows the right-of-way of the former Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Railway, an electric line which carried commuters and freight between Chicago and the western suburbs as far as the towns along the Fox River from Elgin to Aurora. The CA&E suspended commuter operations in 1957 and freight operations in 1959. The right-of-way was finally abandoned in 1961.

[B&W picture of electric train]

A single Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin electric interurban car crosses the historic bridge over the Chicago and NorthWestern Railroad in Wheaton on May 22, 1956. The bridge was built in 1906. The CA&E Railway was abondoned in 1961. (Photo courtsey of Steve Hyatt)

The inverted Y forms a rough map of the PATH route: from First Avenue, Maywood, to Wheaton; then branching to Elgin and Aurora (with side spurs to Geneva and Batavia).

The symbols in three circles suggest ways to enjoy the PATH - on foot, bicycle, or horseback.

But the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH, in addition to being a nationally recognized recreation facility for the entire family, is also:

a natural science laboratory,
a 55-mile-long bird observatory,
a nostalgic trip for fans of "The Great Third Rail",
a link among many municipal parks and county forest preserves,
a connection to other bicycle paths,
a commuter route for non-motorized travel.

How did the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH begin and grow?

DUPAGE COUNTY

On September 30, 1963 the Chicago Tribune printed a letter to the editor written by Mrs. May Theilgaard Watts, a distinguished naturalist, teacher, and author. In her letter Mrs. Watts outlined a proposal to convert the abandoned Chicago, Aurora and Elgin right-of-way into a trail through the western suburbs of Chicago. The letter inspired a small but dedicated group of trail advocates who decided to make the idea a reality.

[Picture of May Theilgaarg Watts.]

May Theilgaard Watts at the Indiana Dunes State Park in October, 1957. Mrs. Watts was 70 years old in 1963 when she wrote the letter in the editor of the Chicago Tribune that started the rails-to-trails movement in the United States.

Over the next several years, the group gave hundreds of illustrated talks, led numerous field trips and generated extensive media coverage for the PATH. They also diligently sought and received the necessary cooperation from utility companies, civic leaders, and state, county and local officials.

In 1965 Mrs. Watts' group formally established The Illinois Prairie Path (The IPP corporation), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. A year later, after DuPage County acquired twenty-one miles of the right-of-way, The IPP corporation leased that portion from the county and began developing and managing it as a recreation trail.

DuPage County also leased portions of the right-of-way to several villages for parking, but to insure the PATH's vital continuity those leases reserved a strip not less than ten feet wide for the PATH.

[Picture of two men hanging an IPP sign on a post.]

The first Illinois Prairie Path logo sign was installed on the west side of Rte. 59 in Oak Meadows in 1967 before the Path was surfaced.

For the next twenty years The IPP corporation and its volunteers developed the ILLlNOIS PRAIRIE PATH in DuPage County for the benefit of area citizens. During this period volunteers accomplished the following:

organized cleanups that removed truck loads of trash and debris from the right-of-way,
surfaced major sections of the trail,
built steps on steep embankments,
installed benches, signs, and information display cases,
planted and maintained prairie remnants,
mowed grassy shoulders and pruned encroaching trees and shrubs,
installed bridges over the East and West Branches of the DuPage River,
improved access to the trail, published a quarterly Newsletter , maps, brochures, and a booklet.

[Picture of men struggling with railroad ties.]

In 1983, volunteers removed the rotten railroad timbers, installed new beams, and re-decked the old CA&E bridge in Wheaton for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

One of the greatest accomplishments of PATH volunteers was the restoration in 1983 of the historic bridge over the Chicago and NorthWestern Railroad in downtown Wheaton and the design, building, and installation of three new spans over Front and Wesley Streets. This tremendous task was completed almost entirely with volunteer time and labor and donated money and materials. To honor those who participated in the project this vital link was named "Volunteer Bridge"

In 1986, The Illinois Prairie Path corporation lost its liability insurance as a result of the national insurance crisis and consequently DuPage County and The IPP corporation agreed to terminate the lease for the right-of-way. The IPP corporation and DuPage County then entered into a consultation agreement that allows the corporation to work on approved PATH maintenance projects.

Since 1986, the DuPage County Division of Transportation has assumed responsibility for managing the PATH in DuPage County. It maintains the surface of the trail and prunes trees and shrubs and mows the shoulders. In addition, the County has added the DuPage portion of the Geneva Spur to the system and has completed several major upgrades to the PATH including the bridge over the Chicago and NorthWestern and the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroads west of West Chicago on the Geneva Spur and another over Klein Creek on the Elgin Branch. In recent years the County has built a trail called the Great Western Trail on the DuPage County section of the former Great Western right-of-way from Villa Avenue in Villa Park to the Elgin Branch of the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH west of Prince Crossing Road.

KANE COUNTY

In January, 1972, the Illinois Department of Conservation acquired segments of the CA&E right-of-way in Kane County. The Department of Conservation later transferred the Elgin Branch and the Batavia Spur to the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the Aurora Branch to the Fox Valley Park District. These two groups have upgraded and now maintain these sections as a part of the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH. The Forest Preserve District built two bridges to carry PATH users safely over the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad and Illinois Route 25. More recently the district leased most of the Geneva Spur in Kane County from Commonwealth Edison and has developed it as a part of the PATH.

COOK COUNTY

In December, 1979, the Illinois Department of Conservation extended the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH into Cook County by acquiring an additional 4.5 miles of the right-of-way. The PATH's eastern terminus now is First Avenue in Maywood, and plans are on the drawing board to continue the PATH across the Des Plaines River to the Chicago Transit Authority station at Des Plaines Avenue in Forest Park.

Other important milestones:

June 2, 1971: The United States Department of the Interior designated a major portion of the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH a National Recreation Trail. The PATH was the first trail in Illinois to receive this honor. This designation provides no financial support.

January, 1976: The ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH was selected an one of 200 projects in the United States to participate in Horizons on Display. The Horizons program highlighted various community efforts throughout the United States that were successful in finding ways to deal with human needs. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsored this program as a part of the Bicentennial celebration.

July 26, 1988: IPP volunteers received the Take Pride in America Award in the Civic/Citizen Organization category. The award was presented at a White House ceremony hosted by President Ronald Reagan. Representative Henry Hyde took note of this honor by having a brief history of the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH published in the Congressional Record of that date.

[Picture of a crowd in front of The White House.]

IPP representatives on the South Lawn of the White House before accepting the "Take Pride in America Award" on behalf of all the Prairie Path volunteers on July 26, 1988.

October 3, 1992: The IPP corporation took part in the first annual National Rail-Trail Celebration and sponsored a unique wheelchair ramble and several other events.

[Picture pretty well described below.]

Motorized wheelchair users share the trail with hikers, a jogger, and a nature study class in the Lincoln Marsh.

October 10, 1992: The first annual Illinois Governor's Bike Ride was held on the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH. After a ceremony at Volunteer Park in downtown Wheaton, Lieutenant Governor Bob Kustra and numerous state and local officials and other members of the local community rode their bikes from Volunteer Park in Wheaton to York Road in Elmhurst.

Who takes part in PATH development?

Maintenance

The ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH is maintained, enhanced, and managed by the following agencies:

COUNTY AGENCY CONTACT

DuPage DuPage Co. Division of Transportation (630) 682-7318

Kane Kane Co. Forest Preserve District (except Aurora Branch) (630) 232-5980

Kane Fox Valley Park District (Aurora Branch) (630) 897-0516

Cook Illinois Department of Conservation(*) (312) 917-2070

DuPage, Kane, Cook The IPP corporation (630) 752-0120

(*) IDOC plans to transfer the PATH to the Cook County communities of Maywood, Bellwood, Hillside and Berkeley.

These public agencies consult with the board of directors of The IPP corporation on upcoming projects and issues. The board also monitors the trail and notifies the agencies of any problems.

In addition, other agencies and municipalities have taken part in PATH development. The Village of Lombard built the bridge over Finley Road. The Illinois Department of Transportation built bridges over Illinois Route 83 and Salt Creek in Elmhurst on the Main Stem and one over Route 59 on the Elgin Branch, as well as under passes under Route 59 on the Aurora Branch and under North Avenue on the Elgin Branch. The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority built the bridge that spans both Illinois Route 53 and the North-South Toll Road (I-355).

[Picture of lots of people around a dump truck.]

A Glen Ellyn Public Works crew surfaced the PATH within the village in 1972. They adapted a Layton Box asphalt spreader to lay limestone screenings.

The municipalities along the PATH have always taken an active part in developing the PATH. The Elmhurst Park District has an agreement with DuPage County to manage and maintain the trail in Elmhurst, and the Wheaton Park District has built an overlook at Lincoln Marsh and a bike trail from the PATH through the marsh. Wheaton upgraded the PATH through its business district as did Glen Ellyn and Warrenville. Villa Park has developed the right-of-way as a park with a bike path, as have Berkeley and Hillside; and Lombard has landscaped the entrances to the PATH at several street crossings. The Village of Maywood is planning to upgrade the entire PATH within the village.

The local Boy Scouts have also contributed to the beauty and utility of the PATH with the several Eagle scout projects along the path and in Lincoln Marsh.

Regulations to protect people, animals and power lines:

Bicyclists and equestrians should give an audible warning when overtaking another user by calling out, "Passing on the left!"
Bicyclists should not travel at excessive speeds.
Bicyclists should stay on the surfaced portion of the PATH and not damage native vegetation and landscaped areas.
Bicyclists should wear helmets at all times
No motorized vehicles are allowed (by county ordinance) except for maintenance, emergency and security vehicles and those with a special permit.
No firearms, kites, or model airplanes.
No hunting.
No alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.

There are no camping facilities on the PATH itself; but it is adjacent to several county forest preserves. For camping information call the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, (630) 790-4900, or the Kane County Forest Preserve District, (630) 232-5980.

[Picture also pretty well described below.]

Three cyclists on the Illinois Prairie Path east of Hill Avenue near Glen Ellyn.

How is the Illinois Prairie Path corporation supported?

ADMINISTRATIVE

Volunteers are the backbone of the organization. They publish the Newsletter and a trail map. They work on permitted PATH projects which include installing signs, display case stands and benches, picking up trash and planting trees and prairie flowers. They organize an annual PRAIRIE PATH cleanup. They hire scavengers to empty garbage cans and they rent portable toilets. They act as liaison with public officials and notify administering agencies of PATH problems. They seek to make the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH part of a regional trail system of interconnected multiple-purpose trails. Except for an office manager, the corporation has no paid employees, though it does hire contractors to do various projects.

FUNDING

Membership dues and donations (all tax-deductible) pay costs of membership and user services and many PATH improvements. In the past these have included the renovation of the old bridge over the C&NW tracks in Wheaton and the addition of three new spans over Front and Wesley Streets, steel bridges over the West and East Branches of the DuPage River, the improvements in Wheaton at Volunteer Park including the stone walls, the water fountain, the sculpture, and the prairie restoration, steps on steep embankments, automobile barriers, display cases, benches, and drainage and surfacing projects.

[Again, picture pretty well described below.]

Prairie Path volunteers installing a display case stand at Main Street in Lombard.

INFORMATION

There are many reasons why you should join The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation:

You will receive the quarterly illustrated Newsletter that features articles on PATH development, events, nature study, history, and other information of interest to trail users.
You will receive the latest version of the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH trail map.
You will receive notices of organized bike rides, hikes, bird walks, work days, and other events
You will help establish policy by electing members to the board of directors and acting on corporate business at the annual meeting of members held on the first Sunday in November of each year.
Your tax-deductible contribution will be used to plant trees and flowers, maintain and establish prairie remnants, pay a scavenger to place and empty trash barrels and comfort stations along the trail, install benches, install display cases which contain maps and other trail information, coordinate an annual Earth Day cleanup, landscape the PATH at street intersections, and work with municipalities, counties, forest preserve districts, park districts, and the State of Illinois to improve the PATH and add to the system of interconnecting trails of which the PATH is a part.

[Now, this picture is really hard to describe ...]

The sculpture entitled "Rails-to-Trails" at Volunteer Park, Wheaton, was commissioned by the Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation.

For a membership application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

The Illinois Prairie Path
P. O. Box 1086
Wheaton, Illinois 60189.
or call (630) 752-0120

You may reach the PATH by Metra on the Chicago and NorthWestern line with major access Points in Lombard, Glen Ellyn and Wheaton; or on the old Milwaukee Road line to Elgin. To reach the PATH in Elgin, leave the train at National Street on the west side of the Fox River and take National Street east across the bridge to the PATH, now also a part of the Fox River Trail south of downtown Elgin. The Burlington Northern Railroad commuter station in Aurora is just across Illinois Route 25 from the Aurora Branch (another section where the PATH coincides with the Fox River Trail).

[Picture of a Woman and a Child on a horse in newly-fallen snow]

A peaceful winter day on the Illinois Prairie Path in Warrenville in 1991.

You may also reach the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH by car. Many local streets cross the PATH. The major ones are named on the map.

PARKING

MAIN STEM

There is public parking near the PATH in all the villages and cities along the Main Stem. Most of it is metered parking or leased parking for commuters, but some free parking exists. In Cook County the PATH runs generally through residential areas where one can find free parking along adjacent or cross streets. On weekends most leased parking spaces are available to PATH users and metered parking spaces can almost always be used on Sundays without feeding the meters.

Parking is free at the following listed sites.

Elmhurst: (1) Parking lot east of York Road between Vallette Street and the PATH. Enter from Vallette. (2) Pioneer Park at the east end of Prairie Path Lane where the PATH crosses the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad. (3) West of Spring Road north of PATH. (4) Prairie Path Lane south of the PATH and west of Berkeley.

Villa Park: (1) Parking lot west of Villa Avenue on Central Boulevard. (2) West of Ardmore Avenue on Central and Park Boulevards.

Lombard: (1) Parking lot west of Westmore Avenue. (2) Along Broadway on both sides of the PATH.

Glen Ellyn: (1) Hill Avenue near the Glen Oak Country Club between Glen Ellyn and Lombard. (2) Along Walnut Street from Lowell to Taylor. (3) The western end of Duane Street. Enter the PATH from Danby Park.

Wheaton: (1) Elmer J. Hoffman Park. Enter north from Hill Avenue on Prospect Street, one block east of the NorthWestern railroad crossing.

West of Wheaton there is room for one or two cars where most roads cross the PATH. Here we list streets where more extensive parking is available near the PATH.

[Picture of jogger.]

A jogger runs past the Stevens Park playground in Wheaton.

ELGIN BRANCH

(1) In Wheaton along Lincoln and Western Avenues near the PATH. (2) Both sides of Jewell Road. (3) On the northwest corner of County Farm and Geneva Roads. (4) Along the abandoned Frontage Road north of North Avenue and west of the PATH. Enter from North Avenue. (5) Both sides of Army Trail Road, Wayne, (6) Dunham Road. (7) Raymond Street, Elgin.

AURORA BRANCH

(1) Center Street, Wheaton. (2) West side of Winfield Road. (3) South of the PATH and east of Batavia Road, near city hall and the public library. Turn west from Batavia Road one block south of PATH, go one block and then turn right (north) to lots. (5) West side of Eola Road. (6) West side of Farnsworth Avenue in Aurora. (7) McCullough Park east of the Fox River in Aurora. Enter from Illinois Avenue. (8) The Burlington Northern commuter parking lot on the east side of Illinois Route 25 in Aurora.

BATAVIA SPUR

(1) Bilter Road. (2) Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, Batavia. The entrance to the preserve is on the west side of Illinois Route 25 just south of the Batavia Spur.

GENEVA SPUR

(1) County Farm and Geneva Roads. (2) Reed-Keppler Park, National Street, West Chicago. (3) Bennett Park on the east side of the Fox River in Geneva. Enter from Illinois Route 25.

Go back to the Illinois Prairie Path Homepage

This WWW page maintained by rail-trail fan Mike Cross

Last Modified:
Wed Jul 28 09:46:30 CDT 1999

COUNTY	AGENCY	CONTACT
DuPage	DuPage Co. Division of Transportation	(630) 682-7318
Kane	Kane Co. Forest Preserve District (except Aurora Branch)	(630) 232-5980
Kane	Fox Valley Park District (Aurora Branch)	(630) 897-0516
Cook	Illinois Department of Conservation(*)	(312) 917-2070
DuPage, Kane, Cook	The IPP corporation	(630) 752-0120
(*) IDOC plans to transfer the PATH to the Cook County communities of Maywood, Bellwood, Hillside and Berkeley.