The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) would like your input on the draft 2009 Update of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan. The draft plan and official procedures to comment are posted at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/greenwaysandtrails.aspx. However, discussion of the plan is welcome here on the chainlink. Such discussion will be considered in this and future plan updates.

At the request of the OpenLands Project, the official public comment period has been extended to end on Friday, July 24, 2009, at 5:00 p.m.

Originally completed in 1992 and updated in 1997, the plan envisions a network of continuous greenway and trail corridors, linked across jurisdictions, providing scenic beauty, natural habitat, and recreational and transportation opportunities for our communities. The draft plan presents a vision with an anticipated horizon year of 2040.

The proposed plan features both greenways and trails. The proposed Trails Element system has about 2,700 miles, or about 700 more miles than in 1997. New additions for 2009 were focused on Kendall County (not in the 1997 Plan) and on the City of Chicago. Almost 1000 miles of the trail system are completed, or about 500 miles more than in 1997.

Thanks to the chainlink for helping to coordinate and publicize this notice and for any feedback. Note: Following some friendly advice, an earlier calendar post has been modified into this forum item.

- Tom Murtha