Thanks to a donation of land owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and investment made by Cook County, a new Cal-Sag bike and walking path extension will allow for more recreation, connecting more people to the waterway.

MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn and MWRD staff joined Palos Hills Mayor Gerald R. Bennett, city leaders and Cook County officials to cut the ribbon on the new 1.5-mile extension of the Cal-Sag Trail network on Aug. 19. The new trail extension will improve access and connectivity to the Cal-Sag Trail that runs alongside the Cal-Sag Channel and will help trail users access nearby Moraine Valley Community College, Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, the Palos Heights Metra Station and other amenities, transportation hubs, businesses, parks and neighborhoods. 

"Thank you to Cook County leadership for making this investment and the City of Palos Hills for making these trails a priority,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “At the MWRD, we have developed meaningful land use opportunities that promote our work as responsive neighbors who protect the health and safety of the public, improve regional water quality, mitigate flooding and manage water as a vital resource.” 

The Cal-Sag Trail will eventually stretch 26 miles from Archer Avenue near Lemont to the Burnham Greenway near the Indiana border. The first 13 miles of the trail on the western section opened in June 2015 with half the land donated by the MWRD.

The MWRD constructed the 16-mile channel in 1922 as part of the reversal of the flow of the Calumet River system and construction of the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant. Much of the land the MWRD purchased to build the channel has led to more recreational opportunities. Today, the MWRD makes more than 8,000 acres of land available for recreation and green space.

“We are happy to make this contribution to connect more riders, runners and walkers to the Cal-Sag Channel and Cal-Sag Trail. We pride ourselves on protecting and improving the quality of the Cal-Sag Channel and now we have an opportunity to highlight our work and share that pride with the community who calls it home,” said Vice President Flynn.

Funding for this project was provided by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways through its Invest in Cook Program.

“It’s truly rewarding to see this 1.5-mile extension come to life,” said Commissioner Beth McElroy Kirkwood. “This project not only enhances access to nearby schools, transit, and Moraine Valley Community College but also underscores the MWRD’s dedication to fostering community connections and promoting active, healthy transportation alongside our waterways. We’re proud to be part of this growing network that brings residents closer to nature and one another.”

The MWRD leases large parcels of land to other governmental entities, such as park districts, municipalities, and forest preserve districts, for a nominal fee and with the purpose of enhancing public access to the waterfront, and the development of parks, hiking and bicycle trails, and passive recreational use along area waterways.