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North Shore Channel Trail Connection Feasibility Study
START DATE
SPRING 2024
COMPLETION DATE
WINTER 2025
LOCATION
Evanston and Wilmette, IL
About the Project
North Shore Channel Trail Connection Project Update
Updated 7.1.25
In partnership with the Village of Wilmette and City of Evanston, Wilmette Park District has conducted a planning effort to explore a new trail connection between Sheridan Road (Wilmette) and the North Shore Channel Trail at Green Bay Road (Evanston).
Many thanks to all community stakeholders for your assistance with the North Shore Channel Trail Feasibility Study.
Whether you participated in a focus group, online survey or discussion, your insights and feedback have been greatly appreciated by the planning team and incorporated into the final report.
CLICK HERE to see the final report.
Feasibility Study History
The North Shore Channel Trail is a beautiful off-street 6.7-mile trail from Chicago (North Francisco Ave. & Lawrence Ave.) to Evanston (North McCormick Ave. & Green Bay Rd.). Bicyclists, joggers, walkers and more visit this mostly-paved trail daily. The Evanston end of the trail leaves a one-and-a-half-mile gap to the northeast where existing bike lanes and trails run along Sheridan Road and the Wilmette Lakefront.
Feasibility Study Inception
The Wilmette Park District applied for an Invest in Cook grant in March 2023 and received $40,000 towards a feasibility study to determine if the trails can be connected. The Park District, Village of Wilmette and City of Evanston will also provide resources for the study to surmise if such a trail is possible.
Study Goal and Outcomes
The Feasibility Study aims to:
- Help the Wilmette Park District, Village of Wilmette and City of Evanston research, analyze and determine if and how a connection could be constructed on the North Shore Channel Trail.
- Provide a recommended plan, budget and timeline for the construction of a connection trail.
- Improve trail access to underserved areas of Evanston and Wilmette.
- Unite existing trail systems across multiple municipalities.
STUDY TO INCLUDE:
- Recommended locations for the off-street trail
- Existing conditions report
- Conceptual design optionsÂ
- Products and materials
- Cost estimateÂ
- & more!
CONTACT
For questions or concerns, please reach out to Park Projects Team:
Project Timeline
March 2023
Application approved for $40,000 Invest in Cook grant
March 2024
Inter-Governmental Agreement between Wilmette Park District, Village of Wilmette and City of Evanston approved by Cook County Transportation CommitteeÂ
April 2024
Cook County Transportation Committee submitted the signed Inter-Governmental Agreement.
May 2024
Feasibility Study Commences!
Data collection begins.
June-August 2024
Community Outreach Activities
- Stakeholder meetings and focus groups
- Community Survey (open June 26, 2024 – August 15, 2024)
September 2024
Concept development begins.
November-December 2024
Preliminary concept review with core stakeholders
January - February 2025
Trail concept review and community survey
July 1, 2025
Final Report Published
Updates
April 2024
- We received the signed IGA from the Cook County Transportation Committee, and are working to secure the consulting firm.
- We’re currently awaiting the signed IGA from the Cook County Transportation Committee. Once received, Parks Planner Alissa Paquette will move forward with arranging a consulting firm to begin the feasibility study.
August 2024
The following activities have been conducted to date:
- Community survey. BIG THANKS to 1,000+ folks who participated in our survey. The survey was open between June 26, 2024 – August 15, 2024. Survey responses are being collected and summarized. Stay tuned to this website for more information about the survey results!
- Stakeholder meetings. The planning team has met with community stakeholders to understand issues and opportunities related to the feasibility study.
September 2024
A summary of results from June/August’s Community Engagement Survey is available to view under the Documents and Downloads section.
January 2025
Trail Connection Concepts. Based on public feedback, trail concepts are available for public review and input.
Community survey. A new community survey was made available to receive feedback on trail connection concepts.
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