Illinois
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CONNECTING EVERYONE TO
THE OUTDOORS
Building a Parks and Open Space Legacy in Illinois
Trust for Public Land’s story in Illinois began in 2000 with the acquisition of a modest three-acre parcel along the Chicago River for what would become A. Montgomery Ward Park.
Since then, we have emerged as a vital force in Chicago, creating beloved neighborhood parks like Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown, Mary Bartelme Park in the West Loop, and Palmisano Park in Bridgeport. Our early involvement in acquiring land for the Julia de Burgos Park in Logan Square led to our most ambitious endeavor to date: The 606, a series of grade-level parks connected by the elevated 2.7 mile Bloomingdale Trail. Since opening in 2015, the repurposed rail line and surrounding city infrastructure has served as an oasis for over 10 million neighbors and visitors in a vibrant, nature-rich setting.
Beyond Chicago, our impact over the past 25 years extends across Illinois, from the acquisition of 32 acres along the Kishwaukee River for the Boone County Conservation District to the preservation of a 40-acre farm near Collinsville to the protection of Starved Rock State Park’s Plum Island . Each of these projects has furthered our mission to safeguard natural landscapes and promote outdoor access for all Illinois communities. We are now working on Mark Clark Park in Peoria, advancing our commitment to Black History and Culture and increasing access to open space.
In addition to our built projects, TPL Illinois has helped to create new and strategic investments in park creation and land protection, including a 2022 ballot measure that will generate $1 billion for the Forest Preserves of Cook County over the next 20 years and the Natural Solutions Tool that helps guide green infrastructure investment throughout Cook and Lake Counties.
As we look to the future, we remain rooted in our belief that access to the outdoors is essential to everyone’s well-being, and carry forward the lessons we have learned over the last 25 years. We are grateful to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with so many dedicated partners like YOU who share our vision of creating
beautiful outdoor spaces and resilient communities for everyone in Illinois.
When we unite to achieve our goals, the possibilities are endless. It is fitting that our first project in Illinois is named for A. Montgomery Ward, who was tireless in his efforts to maintain equitable access to nature for everyone. We are proud to have built on such an important legacy and are grateful for your partnership today as we create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable tomorrow for everyone.
With gratitude,
Caroline O’Boyle Associate Vice President, Illinois State Director
Trust for Public Land
Completed land protection or park development work
Other active work
Park or protected land
Kinnikinnick Creek
WISCONSIN
Hackmatack
National Wildlife Refuge
Coon Creek Knolls Park
Prospect Heights Plum Island Tyler Creek
Grass Lake Park
Glenview Fitness Zone
Hazel Johnson Memorial Parkway
MISSOURI IOWA
Gompers Park
Margaret Donahue Park
Haas Park
Future 606 Park
Julia De Burgos Park
The 606
Carroll Park Mary Bartelme Park
Sears Sunken Garden Douglass 18
Clyde Park North
Chicago area detail
Neighborhood House Campground
Mark Clark Park
Jardincito
Palmisano Park WACA Basketball Court
Senka Park A. Montgomery Ward Park
Marian Fathers
Major Taylor Trail Park 567
Ping Tom Memorial Park
Englewood Nature Trail
Mamie Till Mobley Forgiveness Garden
Betsy Ross Campus Park
Chouteau Island
Mosenthein Island
Alton Lake Willoughby Heritage Farm
Reeds Creek Farm
Rich's Cave
Cache River
Hawke Farm
Parks and Trails: Vision to Vitality
In too many communities, chronic underfunding has created barriers to outdoor access. Across Illinois, 1 in 5 residents lack close-to-home access to a park or green space. This is why TPL works closely with residents and community partners to overcome these barriers and build local capacity for long-term impact. When we invest in the creation and maintenance of safe and inclusive outdoor spaces, we are not only expanding access to nature—we are mending our frayed social fabric and fostering community cohesion.
TEN YEARS OF THE 606
Whether commuting to a nearby recreation destination, traveling to a neighboring community, or just enjoying the freedom of a close-to-home trail, trails promote healthier, connected communities.
On June 6, 2015, The 606 first opened to the public. What was once a freight rail line that divided neighborhoods is now a link that unites them. Both an urban oasis and an accessible trail for biking, running,
and strolling, The 606 connects communities and attracts visitors throughout Chicago and beyond.
The 606 is an example of what’s possible when a bold community vision is met with the support and partnership to transform it into reality. TPL is incredibly proud to have helped acquire land, raise funds, and organize community engagement for many years prior to opening day. The project’s success is the result of a strong partnership among TPL, community leaders, and government officials, all of whom joined together to realize the decade-long dream of an elevated trail through the heart of four Chicago neighborhoods.
The 606 is now a 2.7-mile trail with four parks, lush landscaping, and art embedded into the design. The 606 sees approximately 1 million visitors per year—it has become a beloved part of the everyday lives of the people who live nearby and a must-see destination for visitors.
Milwaukee/Leavitt Park 567 on The 606.
REPURPOSING URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
In the decade since The 606 opened, TPL has continued to provide support and guidance to similar projects. Through the Chicago Infrastructure Reuse Network (CIRN), we partner with community leaders who seek to transform dormant railways, vacant lots, and abandoned properties into green, inclusive, and dynamic public spaces that improve quality of life for their neighborhoods. CIRN is a way for community members and government officials to come together in a shared, neutral space to learn from each other and collaborate to enhance urban livability.
Through our work with CIRN, we have partnered with Friends of Major Taylor Trail and the Major Taylor Trail Keepers to bring much-needed improvements to the Major Taylor Trail . The trail—named for celebrated cyclist and civil rights advocate Marshall “Major” Taylor, who in 1899 became the first African American world champion in cycling—spans 8.6 miles through the South Side of Chicago and nearby suburbs, linking diverse neighborhoods from 82nd Street to the Little Calumet River, and providing a vital green recreation and transportation corridor.
TPL
has been the best advocate. They’re the people who are really focused on what we are trying to achieve in improving and activating the trail. TPL keeps us on track and reminds us of what is possible.”
Peter Taylor, President of the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail, the Vice President of Major Taylor Trail Keepers, and an original member of CIRN
With support from Norfolk Southern, TPL convened government and community leaders together to create a consolidated plan that will serve as a roadmap for future investment and improvements to the Major Taylor Trail. With additional support from CapitalOne and Salesforce, we are working with Chicago Park District to restore a natural area along a one-half mile stretch of the trail. This area was overgrown and full of low-quality, invasive species, but by summer 2026 it will be full of native species of high-quality trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that support pollinators. Thanks to our strong partnerships and their invaluable investments, we are making the trail a more inviting, vibrant, and resilient space for everyone to enjoy.
Exploring Chicago’s Major Taylor Trail.
Parks Tell Our Story
Neighborhood parks are where we spend time with friends and family, let kids play, or take a moment to digitally disconnect and spiritually recharge. In addition to connecting people to nature, our parks connect us to the stories that shape our communities and provide tangible links to our shared history.
SEARS SUNKEN GARDEN
One such space is the Sears Sunken Garden in North Lawndale—a once-vibrant neighborhood landmark now being restored through a partnership with the Friends of the Sears Sunken Garden, the Foundation for Homan Square, and the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council’s GROWSS (Greening, Reclaiming, Open Space, Water, Soil, and Sustainability) Committee. More than 150 residents have taken part in design workshops and engagement sessions, shaping details of the garden’s layout, plant selection, and water feature.
The first phase of the restoration—a full rehabilitation of the historic pergola—is underway. Next, the site will be excavated to install underground stormwater storage, ADA-accessible pathways, and a Piet Oudolfdesigned garden. When complete, the Sears Sunken Garden will once again serve as a welcoming gathering space rooted in community stories.
MARK CLARK MEMORIAL PARK
TPL is also partnering with the Historical Preservation Society of the Black Panther Party (BPP) and Ward Chapel AME Church in Peoria to create Mark Clark Memorial Park , a stop on the BPP Heritage Trail. The trail marks significant historic BPP sites in Illinois and draws attention to the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans, ensuring their stories, contributions, and legacies are tattooed on the land.
TPL brings both a deep passion for Mark Clark Memorial Park and sorely needed expertise. We know we’re in good hands with TPL on board.”
Rev. Dr. Elaine P. Gordon, Retired Presiding Elder, Ward Chapel AME
Mark Clark, founder of the Peoria chapter of the BPP, was killed in Chicago in 1969 during a police raid. Last summer, along with multiple generations of the Clark family and dozens of community members, TPL celebrated the dedication of Clark’s Heritage Trail plaque at Ward Chapel. We continue to support planning for the park, which will provide a serene space for quiet reflection and an opportunity for visitors to honor the past, connect with the present, and carry forward the values that shaped Mark Clark’s life and work.
Mark Clark Memorial Park Plaque Dedication. PHOTO BY REGINALD BIRRIS
Designer Piet Oudolf visits the Sears Sunken Garden.
PHOTO BY FRIENDS OF THE SEARS SUNKEN GARDEN
Community at the CORE
Young leaders are not just the future of the outdoors movement—they are its present. And they are redefining what inclusive, community-rooted work looks like. TPL’s Community Outreach with Resident Experts (CORE) Fellowship is a two-year program that provides early-career changemakers with the tools, support, and paid professional experience they need to advance equity and center resident engagement in public space creation and green infrastructure implementation.
Chicago’s inaugural CORE Fellow, Isabella Bonito, is one of three fellows in TPL’s first national cohort, alongside peers in Atlanta, GA, and Greeley, CO. A 2023 graduate of the University of Chicago with a BA in Environmental and Urban Studies, Isabella is currently helping to deepen TPL’s partnerships in Chicago neighborhoods.
Working in collaboration with local residents and community leaders— whose vision, voices, and leadership shape the work—Isabella supports TREEmendous Lawndale , helping to create a healthier urban tree canopy in North Lawndale on the West Side, and she contributes to the development of an art installation at the Major Taylor Trail on the Far South Side.
Reflecting on her experience so far, Isabella shared, “One of the most meaningful experiences has been the relationship development process with community leaders. I am so inspired and honored to be learning from community members who truly live their lives in the service of others and bettering their environments. They fill me with hope.”
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH TPL EXPERTS
In addition to the parks and trails that TPL Illinois helped to create, in 2025 we partnered with national colleagues whose expertise enriches our local work. Here are a few examples:
• TPL’s Conservation Finance Team provided leadership on two Illinois efforts that will bring $155 million in funding to the Lake County Forest Preserve and $70 million to the McHenry County Conservation District.
• Our Climate Team led the expansion of the Natural Solutions Tool to include all of Lake County, Illinois, adding to the existing tool that guides green infrastructure investment in portions of Cook, Will, and DuPage Counties in the Chicagoland area.
• Our 10-Minute Walk Team collaborated with the Chicago Park District as part of our third cohort of Park Equity Accelerator to research anti-displacement strategies and investigate new opportunities for park funding.
CORE Fellow
Isabella at a North Lawndale Tree Walk.
THANK YOU
for helping improve the health, equity, and climate outcomes for communities in Illinois and beyond.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
There are so many ways you can make an impact by supporting TPL’s work in Illinois.
General Support: Make a gift to close the park equity gap by creating and enhancing parks and trails, ensuring that everyone has access to nature.
Neighborhood Parks: Help to create neighborhood parks that strengthen communities, improve health, and provide nature-based climate solutions.
Land Protection: Contribute to our ability to be nimble and act quickly to secure and protect iconic, at-risk landscapes throughout Illinois.
Black History and Culture Initiative: Join us as we create, protect, and activate public spaces of historical and cultural significance to Black communities across the state.
Planned Giving: Create an even bigger impact by making a planned gift to TPL. Make your legacy one of hope, humanity, and love of nature.
Join Us
Help ensure everyone has access to the outdoors. Every park we create, schoolyard we transform, trail we extend, and landscape we protect is thanks to supporters like you.
tpl.org/donate
In honor of our 25th anniversary, please consider a gift to TPL Illinois.
ILLINOIS ADVISORY BOARD
Kyle Barnett ,* Early Warning
Solomon Barnett ,* Optiver
Steve Baird , Baird & Warner
Jonathan Berger, Ashler Capital
Kenneth Gilkes, Jr. , Cook County Land Bank Authority
Trupti Guzraty
James Mann , Retired, Nonprofit Executive & Attorney
Anton Seals, Jr. , Grow Greater Englewood
Maulik Vaishnav
*Co-Chair
Caroline O’Boyle Associate Vice President Illinois State Director caroline.oboyle@tpl.org
Amy Kunz Engagement Officer amy.kunz@tpl.org
55 W. Monroe Street Suite 3360
Chicago, IL 60603