Construction, Safety and Flooding Work to Last Approximately Two Months

A portion of the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s North Branch Trail on Chicago’s Northwest Side will be closed beginning September through October to allow for significant improvements aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility for trail users as well as flood relief for the area.

The closure will affect the segment between Forest Glen Avenue and Central Avenue, including the trail and parking lot at Thaddeus S. “Ted” Lechowicz Woods. During this period, no access will be available through this section and no detours will be provided. Cyclists and other users are advised to plan alternate routes during the construction period. To ensure public safety, barricades will be installed at the Forest Glen parking lot and at the pedestrian bridge entrance.

The project will resurface the trail and add new paved sections. A portion of the parking lot beyond the existing roundabout will be converted into a dedicated trail connection, eliminating confusing overlaps between vehicle and bike traffic. Another paved portion of the lot will be removed and replaced with a native rain garden to help alleviate flooding in the area. The change aligns with green stormwater initiatives that the Forest Preserves is implementing throughout the county through a partnership with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

“We understand this closure may cause inconvenience, but it’s a necessary step toward improving the trail system and shrinking pavement to address area flooding for the long term,” said Chris Slattery, Director of Planning & Development for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. “Once complete, this segment will be safer, smoother and more scenic for everyone.”

The Forest Preserves will provide ongoing updates through signage at key locations, website alerts and social media. For the latest information, visit fpdcc.com/north-branch-trail-updates.

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About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.