The Forest Preserve District’s 135 miles of trails are constantly evolving – with repairs, extensions and long-range plans that promise even more miles and connections in the years ahead.

“Our trails are one of the biggest draws for nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts,” said Cindy Wojdyla Cain, the Forest Preserve District’s public information officer. “If we build them, people come. It’s not unusual to see people running, walking, pushing strollers, roller blading and biking along our paths as soon as they are opened.”

In addition to extending and linking trails, path maintenance also is a priority. That’s why, for instance, a major section of Old Plank Road Trail will be closed this year to rehab the pavement. See below for more information.

Whether you hike, bike, roller blade, cross-country ski or snowshoe, here’s a look at what’s new, what's coming this year – and what’s in the works for the near future.

Rock Run Greenway Trail 
Improvements have been completed along the Rock Run Greenway Trail between the Paul V. Nichols access and Black Road. Blind spots in the trail were corrected, and a boardwalk was added over a wet area. 

Old Plank Road Trail
A 7-mile section of the Old Plank Road Trail will close this summer for a $1.3 million rehabilitation project. The work, which includes Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at street crossings, will take place from Schoolhouse Road in New Lenox Township west to Washington Street in Joliet. The trail connection from Old Plank Road Trail to the Spring Creek Greenway Trail at Hickory Creek Junction also will be repaved. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

Plum Creek Greenway Trail
A 1-mile extension is planned for the Plum Creek Greenway Trail from Plum Valley Preserve – Burville Road Access to Goodnow Grove Nature Preserve. The project includes a 400-foot bridge over Plum Creek and a partial street route. Tree clearing will begin this year, with construction to follow as weather allows. Completion is expected by the end of 2026. This trail addition will link amenities in the greenway including the Plum Creek Nature Center, Goodenow Grove campground, Plum Valley Dog Park and existing nature trails within Goodenow Grove. 

Spring Creek Greenway Trail
A 950-foot section of the Spring Creek Greenway Trail in Hadley Valley preserve will be paved east of Interstate 355 to the Bruce Road Access area. The grass will be mowed along the trail in this area to allow for equestrian use. A contract for this could be awarded in September and the work would be completed by the end of the year. 

Future projects

DuPage River Trail
Phase 1 engineering is underway to convert a section of Book Road from 119th Street south to 127th Street in Plainfield into a new portion of the regional DuPage River Trail. The sides of the now-closed road will be removed to create a 10-foot-wide path. 

Theodore Marsh
A crushed limestone loop path at Theodore Marsh has been slated for paving to improve accessibility and streamline maintenance. The work will most likely be completed in 2026. 

Weber Road Trail
Phase 1 engineering has begun for a trail along Weber Road that will travel from DuPage River Park in Naperville to Indian Boundary Park in Bolingbrook. The new path will connect with an existing section of the DuPage River Greenway Trail owned by the Bolingbrook Park District that leads east to the Forest Preserve’s Hidden Lakes Trout Farm and Whalon Lake preserves and north to the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Greene Valley Preserve. Partners on this project include the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District and Bolingbrook Park District. Construction is tentatively set for 2027. A public open house is set for September to review plans and gather feedback. 

Wolf’s Crossing Road Trail
Also in Phase 1 engineering, this project will add a 0.75-mile trail along Wolf’s Crossing Road filling in a key gap between Hoffman Boulevard in Aurora and the Normantown Trail near Vermont Cemetery Preserve. It will connect users to the Normantown and Tallgrass Greenway trails. Partners include the City of Aurora and Wheatland Township Road District. A public open house is planned for September.

Veterans Memorial Trail
An extension is planned for the Veterans Memorial Trail. The new segment would head north from 159th Street in Homer Glen to either 135th or 127th Street. Phase 1 engineering will determine the route. Eventually, the existing trail also will be extended south to Route 6 near Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and west to Schneider’s Passage in Romeoville.