Green Bay Trail

The Green Bay Trail is a rails with trails built on the former Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad. It runs parallel to Metra's Union Pacific / North Line for nearly nine miles from Wilmette, Illinois, to Highland Park, Illinois.[2] It was originally a path used by various users between the Chicago area and the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area.

Green Bay Trail
The Green Bay Trail adjacent to the tracks at Hubbard Woods station in 2017
Length8.9 mi (14.3 km)
LocationWilmette to Highland Park, Illinois[1]
TrailheadsWilmette, Kenilworth, Indian Hill, Winnetka, Hubbard Woods, Glencoe, Braeside, Ravinia, Highland Park
Usebicycling, inline skating, walking, cross country skiing
Hiking details
Trail difficultyeasy, level, ADA accessible
Surfaceasphalt, crushed stone, concrete
Maintained byFriends of the Green Bay Trail

Early history
The Green Bay Trail runs parallel to the Metra North Line in the Chicago North Shore Area in Cook and Lake Counties

The Green Bay Trail has historical significance dating back nearly 12,000 years, when it is presumed that woolly mammoths traveled along it for migration during the Ice Age. This migration made it a destination for hunters of the time who also used to trail their prey. Following the Ice Age, the trail has little confirmed history until the 1600s when French explorers Jolliet and Marquette used it in their explorations of the Americas.[3] Prior to that it has been assumed that the trail was used by American Indians for hunting and trading. The American Indian tribe that most likely used the trail was the Potawatomi, who may have used it until the early 1900s.[4] In the beginning of the 1800s, when early settlers moved West towards Chicago, the trail served as a mail route between Fort Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois, and Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1832, the trail became an official post road by an Act of Congress.[5][6][7] In 1836, the trail hosted its first stagecoach service between Chicago and Green Bay.

The trail began its modern-day service in 1836 when stagecoaches were used to carry passengers from Chicago to Green Bay with intermediate stops.[8][9] It runs along the track bed of the former Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, which runs parallel to the Union Pacific (then the Chicago & Northwestern) North Line. The Shore Line was abandoned in 1955; the right-of-way was then leased to the Green Bay Trail Committee for development. In 1965, the city of Winnetka purchased the section that traversed that city with the intention of developing it with the Committee's involvement.[10]

Design and construction
Limestone Bench designed by landscape architect Jen Jensen at Glencoe Trail Head, Heading North towards Highland Park

Most of the rail trail is paved except for the portion between the Highland Park Metra Station and Glencoe, which is primarily crushed stone. Running parallel to the Metra North Line, riders can access the train directly from the trail at the following Metra stops: Highland Park, Ravinia, Braeside, Glencoe, Hubbard Woods, Winnetka, Indian Hill, Kenilworth, and Wilmette.[2][11] The trail is wheel-chair accessible. There is also an elevator at Winnetka Station that allows access to the trail. For the most part the trail follows a designated path except in Kenilworth where it runs along Abbotsford road. In Glencoe, the trail also runs along Old Green Bay Road for less than one mile. The work of local landscape architect Jens Jensen can also be seen at various points throughout the trail. In August 2014 a crossover trail was installed running westward along Lake-Cook road to connect to the North Branch Trail.[12]

Amenities

The trail has parking at every trail head, which is also at every Metra station. It also has picnic areas in Shelton Park in Glencoe and in other community park areas in Winnetka and Kenilworth. Attractively designed benches are strategically placed for resting.[2] In Highland Park, the trail travels through the site of the Ravinia Festival,[11] the oldest outdoor music festival in the U.S. There are no bathrooms on the trail itself, but facilities are available at several parks and at many of the Metra stations along the route.[2]

Connecting trails
The Green Bay Trail has examples of art along the line

The Green Bay Trail connects with several other recreational trails including:

Supporters

The Green Bay Trail is managed by each respective town that it runs through.[15] However, when the trail opened in the 1960s, it was managed by The Green Bay Trail Committee.[16][17] Volunteer beautifying projects including flower and vegetable gardens alongside the trail are also popular.

Environmental stewardship along the trail is coordinated by the Friends of the Green Bay Trail, a 501(c) non-profit organization created for this purpose in 2010.[18]

References
  1. Google. "Green Bay Trail" (Map). Google Maps. Google.
  2. "Where to go biking and hiking". Chicago Tribune. June 6, 1979. p. 73 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Starrett, Laurie (Winter 1996). ""G" is for Green Bay Trail". Winnetka History. Winnetka Historical Society. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012.
  4. Weiss, Suzanne. "A Short History of Glencoe". Village of Glencoe. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017.
  5. Ozanne, Minnie (December 14, 1935). "Green Bay Trail in Town of Somers Established in 1832 by Government". The Journal Times. Racine, WI. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Green Bay Road pursued as historical landmark". Kenosha News. Associated Press. March 1, 1993. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Cary, Joan (February 4, 2004). "Railroads retain their importance". Chicago Tribune. p. 9-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Green Bay Road's Stage Coach Days Described in Talk". Kenosha News. October 4, 1932. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Old Green Bay Trail County's First Roadway". Kenosha News. June 15, 1935. p. 125 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Bike Path Receives Boost". Chicago Tribune. September 26, 1965. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Trotter, Gregory (May 29, 2014). "Biking improvements planned this summer for Highland Park". Chicago Tribune. p. 35-5 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Crowder, Courtney (August 26, 2010). "Ride the rails to suburban fun". Chicago Tribune. p. 5-6 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Ibata, David (June 1, 2000). "Trail opening with miles to go". Chicago Tribune. p. 104 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Cox, Brian L. (October 10, 2013). "Green Bay Trail caretakers schedule fundraiser". Chicago Tribune. p. 35-5 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Green Bay Trail Group Plants Hedge". Chicago Tribune. May 2, 1965. p. 351 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Plan to Dedicate Green Bay Trail". Chicago Tribune. June 15, 1969. p. 355 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Why We Do It". Friends of the Green Bay Trail. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
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