New trail segment links 'two jewels' in eastern Will County
A new 1.5-mile segment of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail in Crete Township is making it easier to explore the natural beauty of eastern Will County.
"This new stretch of trail is the culmination of years of planning and hard work to link two jewels in eastern Will County — Plum Valley Preserve to Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve," Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners President Judy Ogalla said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Oct. 26, attended by local elected officials, regional planning partners, contractors who were instrumental in the project's completion and Forest Preserve District leadership and staff.
The trail segment, now open to the public, traverses picturesque terrain at Plum Valley Preserve before connecting to a short, marked street route that connects with a section of the trail at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve.
"Today, we celebrate more than the completion of a construction project. We celebrate a connection between two preserves, the protection of irreplaceable natural resources and another step toward a more connected trail system for Will County and the surrounding region," said Forest Preserve District Executive Director Tracy Chapman.
The extended trail complements recent land acquisitions, including a 495-acre parcel at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve that had been on the Forest Preserve's radar since the 1970s, Chapman said.
"This is what makes projects like today’s so meaningful," Chapman said. "We are not simply building trails. We are protecting land, connecting natural areas and creating opportunities for people to experience the outdoors."
The trail connection is a boon for year-round recreation pursuits in the eastern part of the county, with the Plum Creek Greenway Trail suitable for everything from a nature walk or bike ride to cross-country skiing or snowshoeing when winter weather cooperates.
"Whether you’re looking for a new place to take your morning walk, a scenic route for your next bike ride or simply a chance to slow down and enjoy nature, we encourage you to come back, bring your family and friends and experience this trail for yourselves," Chapman said.
Future phases of expansion of the Plum Creek Greenway Trail will provide a critical north-south connection that extends north into Cook County and south to Beecher via the proposed Vincennes Trail.
"Each new connection brings us closer to a larger regional trail network, creating more opportunities for residents to explore our preserves and travel between communities," Chapman said.
Designed with nature in mind
The trail route and its construction were designed to minimize effects on the preserve's natural areas, which include wetlands and ravines as well as sensitive habitats. The area surrounding the new trail is home to plants and wildlife with specific habitat needs, and the Forest Preserve District is committed to ensuring that improvements like these work in concert with the environment so it remains a good steward of these resources, said Forest Preserve landscape architect Matt Novander.
The new trail segment includes two concrete pedestrian boardwalks — one 600 feet long and the other 200 feet long — that were used to elevate the trail through sensitive ecological areas. Also included in the project is a 150-foot bridge.
"These features do more than make the trail accessible. They allow visitors to experience the landscape in a way that respects and protects the natural environment around them," Chapman said.
To offset ecological impacts from the trail, restoration of disturbed areas is included as part of the project and will be done in accordance with Illinois Department of Natural Resources guidelines. In addition, the Forest Preserve District will evaluate the need for tree replacement through its Annual Tree Replacement Program.
"While the trail is an important multi-use corridor for transportation and recreation, the resources that it effects are paramount in importance," Novander said.
Funding the way forward
The trail extension, which cost about $5.3 million, was funded through the Forest Preserve District's 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program, with supplemental grant funding support provided through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's 2024-2028 locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP-L).
"That partnership helped us turn this vision into a reality while continuing to invest in the long-term value of our natural resources and recreational opportunities," Chapman said.
TAP-L funds for construction and engineering contributed 80% of the total project cost, with the Forest Preserve District covering the remainder of the design and construction costs.
"The grant funds contributing 80% of the funding is what makes projects like this possible," Novander said.
The goal of the TAP-L program is to provide funding for non-motorized transit projects. Locally, funding is used on projects to help complete the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan. The Forest Preserve District has also secured TAP-L funding for a planned DuPage River Trail connection at Weber Road in the Bolingbrook/Naperville area.
