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    Illinois Prairie Path

    4.3 (39 reviews)

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    IPP - Elgin/Geneva start
    Don P.

    If you live in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, and enjoy walking, running, biking, or equestrian activities, the Illinois Prairie Path is a resource not to be missed. It is the heart of an overall system of trails that covers a good portion of northeast Illinois. First, some history: Today's Prairie Path was once the right-of-way for an electric train (Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railway), established in 1902. Towns like Berkeley and Villa Park grew up on the railway line, which explains why the town centers are where they are. By the late 40's, the line was in grave financial trouble, and in the early 50's, the right-of-way in Chicago was taken over by the 'new' Congress (Eisenhower) Expressway (and CTA), which effectively crippled operations - passenger service ceased in 1957, and freight ceased in 1959. The resulting holding company wanted to liquidate the remaining right-of-way assets as one parcel. A local activist and naturalist, May Theilgaard Watts, led the fight to establish the Prairie Path, and after many years of accumulating support the path was established in 1966, the first rail-to-trail conversion in the US. Today's path effectively starts in the east at 1st Ave., 4 blocks north of the Eisenhower in Maywood (there is access from the CTA Blue Line, Forest Park, from a recent bridge built over the DesPlaines River) , runs west to Wheaton (the main line (stem)), then branches north to Elgin, and south to Aurora, with spurs to Geneva (from the Elgin branch) and Batavia (from the Aurora branch). For those without a map handy, Elgin, Aurora, Geneva, and Batavia are all located on the Fox River. A former associated freight line, also part of the overall path system, The Fox River Trail, basically follows the Fox River from Aurora, north to Elgin (and well beyond these two points). The use of this trail allows triangular travel (on the 2 branches and spurs), so you never have to return the way you came, and allows greater distance to be covered; ideal for bicyclists. The basic path has a crushed limestone surface, which is as easy to walk or ride on as asphalt (and fine for road bikes). It also sheds water quickly, so rain does not greatly affect its use. There are water fountains along the path, and limited facilities in a few spots. The mile markers on the system all start in Wheaton, where the rail yard was located (now the Wheaton Center complex). Here are the approximate mile breakdowns: Wheaton to 1st Ave: 15 mi Wheaton to Elgin: 15 mi Wheaton to Aurora: 13 mi Wheaton to Geneva: 11 mi Wheaton to Batavia: 13 mi It is also worth noting that it is possible to triangulate on the main line, accomplished by using the Great Western Trail (also a crushed limestone surface, which parallels North Ave.), which intersects the Prairie Path (a block to the north on Villa) in Villa Park, and intersects the Prairie Path again on the Elgin branch, at Prince Crossing Rd, in West Chicago. For bicyclists, this gives you a quick 24 miles of controlled path riding, almost in your own back yard! For those looking at less distance, any north-south thru street in the area will connect these two paths. For bicyclists, the main line of the Prairie Path is intersected by many streets, especially Elmhurst to Lombard. Exercise care in this stretch! The path from 1st Ave. Maywood to Berkeley appears to be the least used stretch, but another area to exercise caution. Wheaton Update: Reconstruction of the Illinois Prairie Path structures over Wesley Street, Front Street, and the railroad tracks: This is mile marker 0 of The Prairie Path, and the nexus of the system. Elgin branch construction is behind, this was to be open 5/20/2010. Now the schedule calls for the end of August. We'll see, but I am not encouraged. Note: Bridge now done (late Oct 2010, in time for the crush of winter traffic). The old bridge has been retained, and the new structure is built within. From the right angle, it looks like a prop for the "ET Flyover."

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    15 years ago

    The prairie path is nice, its really well kept. Also there are these cool parks on the war, and nice sceenery.

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    13 years ago

    Beautiful path that runs through a lot of west and northwest suburbs! Great for walking/running and just getting outside!

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

    I've ridden portions of the trail Glen Ellyn to Wheaton and Glen Ellyn to Lombard - what a lovely asset!

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    Ask the Community - Illinois Prairie Path

    Review Highlights - Illinois Prairie Path

    s. For bicyclists, the main line of the Prairie Path is intersected by many streets, especially Elmhurst to Lombar

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    Lilacia Park - Lilicia park at Christmas.

    Lilacia Park

    (58 reviews)

    Beautiful park in Lombard with incredible views of lilacs and tulips. This is very well maintained…read moreand has a large variety of different colored flowers. Parking was a little challenging during my late April visit with all the beautiful flowers in bloom, but it was well worth parking a few blocks away and walking over for the experience. Scattered throughout the park are plenty of benches, a scenic lookout area, iron deer statue, and more. A stroll around the park is super relaxing here since you're surrounded by plenty of colors and pleasant aromas. Definitely a must visit for any tulip or lilac lover. Worth a special trip due to the quality of the park and the beautiful views.

    I probably should come here more often, but I make sure to come at least 2 or 3 times a year. Once…read morein April for the tulips and daffodils, then in April/May once or twice for the lilacs, and finally in December for the lights. There are so many lilacs here, and the park just keeps going. You can smell them from across the street, and wandering the park when they're in bloom makes me unreasonably happy. So I check the Bloom-O-Meter on the park's website / social media and you should too. The wide variety of lilacs means they all start blooming at different times, so the joy lasts for weeks. There are also huge plantings of multiple varieties of tulips and daffodils - they're pretty sad by the time the lilacs really get going, but earlier they're beautiful too. During the official weekend of "Lilac Time" the local garden club will sell you your very own lilac, and possibly some other plants, too (convenient parking in the spots by the Metra if you're hauling plants). The Historical Society across the street stocks extra lilac stuff (postcards, shirts, keychains, etc.) when the lilacs are blooming, so hit them up too. The winter holiday lights are also magical and they keep them up a fairly long time (into January) - so if you didn't get around to seeing a light display, they got you. I don't recommend coming the night they turn them on as it's a mad crush, but there's a wide variety of different kinds of lights and it's well worth a trip when it's less crowded. Lights are on until 10pm - most of the little kids are gone by 7pm or so. Street parking usually available, or the lot at the Historical Society is free after 11am.

    Illinois Prairie Path - parks - Updated May 2026

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