4 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 
THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH 
By The Open Lands Proyect 
“WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS. We are able to walk upright on two feet. 
We need a footpath. Right now there is a chance for Chicago and its 
suburbs to have a footpath, a long one. The right-of-way of the Aurora 
electric railroad lies waiting. If we have courage and foresight, such as 
made possible the Long Trail in Vermont, and the Appalachian Trail from 
Maine to Georgia, and the network of public footpaths in Britain, then 
we can create from this strip a proud resource.” 
— May Theilgaard Watts 
THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH 
on the former 
Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Electric Railway 
KANE 
COOK May Theilgaard Watts, Originator 
MAYWOOD 
SS$s 
LEY SSIES, 
Nil BELLWOOD SS —> TO CHICAGO 
FOREST PARK 
A green ribbon of beauty through the countryside. 
BACKGROUND — About five years ago, the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin 
Electric Railway ceased operation after many years of providing commuter 
service to Chicago from the western suburbs (see map). Since then the right- 
of-way has been abandoned, the tracks and ties have heen sold and re- 
moved, the stations have been sold or rented. 
PRESENT USES AND OWNERSHIP — In addition to ownership by the 
railroad, Commonwealth Edison Company maintains power lines over the 
major portion of the right-of-way. This Company has title to a portion of 
the roadbed. It also has perpetual easements over the entire system for 
power lines. In some areas the original land-owners have cultivated 
portions of the right-of-way. The remainder of the property is standing 
idle. There is some usage of the roadbed as an alley and as a dumping 
ground. 
SOME PROPOSED USES —- Consideration has been given by the State 
Highway Department to an inter-community highway. This has encountered 
opposition in the suburban towns (Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton) because 
it would mean added traffic through the centers of these communities. 
Suburban officials would much prefer establishment of parking lots to 
provide easier shopping in the towns. Some communities are pursuing this 
