The Englewood Trail: Soon to be Chicago's Newest Rail Trail and Linear Park!

Almost eight (!) years ago, I came up with my own list of ideas for new rail trails in the Chicago area, that might piggyback off of the success that The 606 Trail has had with regards to community redevelopment, developing excellent bike infrastructure, and connecting neighborhoods across Chicago's North Side.

One of the proposals at that time was just gaining steam, the Englewood Trail, which would use a abandoned spur owned by Norfolk Southern Railway between 58th and 59th St in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, and if all goes according to plan, will be opening as a linear park late next year!

While projects like the 606 or the High Line focused heavily on recreation and aesthetics, the Englewood project is designed as an economic and ecological engine. It aims to serve the people currently living in the neighborhood by addressing decades of systemic disinvestment through urban agriculture and local job creation.

For those following the history of Chicago’s industrial archaeology and rail infrastructure, this project is a landmark case of reclamation. Here is the technical and historical breakdown of how this century-old rail line is being reimagined as a catalyst for a greener and more equitable city.

The right of way of the Norfolk Southern Railway, soon to be the Englewood Trail (City of Chicago)

The history of this corridor begins in the 1880's. During this era, the Chicago St Louis and Pittsburgh Railroad, a predecessor to the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), constructed an elevated line to serve the massive industrial density concentrated near 59th St. (City of Chicago) It would be known as the Englewood Connecting Railway, which was a subsidiary of the CS&P, otherwise known as the Panhandle Route. 

At the peak of Chicago’s industrial power, Englewood was a primary hub for freight movement. The elevation of the tracks was a structural necessity, much like the case of The High Line in New York City, yet despite an ordinance passed by the city in 1898 requiring elevation of existing rail lines, it would take until 1934 before the connecting railway would be fully elevated. (Englewood Trail Land Use Plan) The elevation finally lifted heavy freight traffic above the street grid to eliminate dangerous crossings and allow the commercial life of the neighborhood to continue unimpeded beneath the viaducts.

David Daruzska enhanced photo of a PRR Caboose on the Englewood Connector at Peoria St. (Image via Industrial History)

The line was a vital connector for decades, as it connected local manufacturing plants in Englewood to the broader national rail network. However, as the 1960s brought a shift in American manufacturing and logistics, the volume of freight began to dwindle. By the early 1970s, the tracks were in disuse, but would continue as active until the early 1980's. For the next forty years, the corridor existed as a ghost in the landscape.

Sadly, this mirrored the plight of the neighborhood of Englewood, as well as West Englewood. Virtually all of Englewood and West Englewood would be subject to pervasive disinvestment trends that would characterize the communities for decades to come. (Englewood Trail Land Use Plan)

Nature eventually took over the gravel and steel. Today, approximately 1,400 trees have taken root in the ballast. Many of these are invasive species, but they have created a "hidden forest" that residents have viewed with a mix of frustration and hope. To the city, the abandoned line was a liability. To the community, it was a 1.75-mile stretch of potential that had been locked away by private railroad ownership.

Chicago Sun Times photo, 2022.

The transition from an abandoned rail line to a public park was not a linear process. It required nearly twenty years of community organizing and high-level negotiations. In 2005, local leaders began identifying the vacant land around the tracks as a solution to "food deserts," which are areas lacking access to fresh and affordable produce. 

In addition, abandoned railroad crosses 26 separate viaducts. These are century-old structures made of steel and reinforced concrete. For a trail to be a viable use of the land, there needs to be remediation of these bridges, involving tripping away lead-based paint, repairing rusted steel members, and ensuring the concrete supports can handle the weight of modern landscaping and large crowds.

A major shift occurred in 2014 when the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) adopted the Green Healthy Neighborhoods Plan. This document was the first to officially designate the rail corridor as the center of an urban agriculture district. The plan noted that Englewood possessed a massive surplus of vacant land, including approximately 2,500 city-owned lots. The trail was envisioned as the "spine" that would connect these disparate parcels into a unified agricultural network.

The primary obstacle was ownership. The corridor remained the property of the Norfolk Southern Railway. The relationship between Englewood and Norfolk Southern has been historically difficult, particularly due to the expansion of the 47th Street intermodal yard. That expansion led to the demolition of hundreds of homes in a section of the neighborhood known as "The Area," causing significant community displacement, which spawned a 2018 documentary of the same name.

In 2018, a deal was finally struck. As part of a larger agreement related to the intermodal yard expansion, the City of Chicago acquired the 1.75-mile corridor from Norfolk Southern. This acquisition was the turning point that allowed the project to move into formal design and engineering.

Site plan of Englewood Nature Trail by Gensler

The Englewood Nature Trail is distinct because of its integration with the Agro-Eco District. This plan, developed by the architecture firm Gensler and the organization Grow Greater Englewood, views the trail as a functional tool for economic sovereignty, which will aid in creating locally grown food, creating both economic opportunity and food resilience, especially as "farm to table" has been the norm of our agricultural output, rather than the exception, for almost all of human civilization. In addition, the Trail's design uses the trail’s soil and vegetation to manage heavy stormwater runoff. This is a critical technical feature, as it reduces the pressure on the city’s sewer system and helps prevent the basement flooding that often plagues nearby residential blocks.

The Agro Eco district is home to Growing Home; Located at 58th and Wood, this is the first USDA-certified organic high-production farm in Chicago. It serves as a model for how the trail can facilitate the movement of goods and people within the agricultural sector, which can also spur employment opportunities in an area struggling with economic development. 

A rendering of the Englewood Nature Trail (Gensler)

The existing "forest" on the trail presents a unique challenge. While there are 1,400 trees currently on site, many of them must be removed. This is necessary for two reasons: the soil is contaminated with heavy metals from decades of industrial rail use, and the roots of many invasive trees are damaging the structural integrity of the viaducts. The plan calls for "soil capping," where contaminated earth is sealed and replaced with clean, nutrient-rich soil. The new landscape will feature native Illinois prairie plants and hardy canopy trees designed to filter urban air.

One of the other points of contention and possible issues surrounding the project would be avoiding the "green gentrification" that often follows large-scale park projects, making sure those in the community can enjoy the benefits that flow frow investment and redevelopment. The Englewood Agro-Eco District Land Use Plan (adopted in August 2024) includes specific policy recommendations, focusing on housing stabilization and support for small businesses to ensure that long-term residents can afford to stay in the neighborhood as property values rise. Additionally, the City has committed to prioritizing local hiring for the construction and long-term maintenance of the trail. This includes specialized training in ecological restoration and urban farm management.

Image of the current status of the Englewood Trail (Grow Greater Englewood)

As of 2026, the site is currently in the clearing phase, which involves invasive species removal and beginning the structural repairs on the 26 viaducts. Time will tell as to whether the grand vision of the Englewood Trail can be realized, and if infrastructure revitalization can be used to repair the social fabric of a neighborhood. It is a transition from a closed industrial corridor to an open, productive landscape. By the end of next year, the "heavy lifting" of construction will be well underway, turning a century-old rail line into a new kind of urban commons. I'm definitely optimistic, and I believe the citizens of Englewood should be as well.

Thanks as always for reading!