The MeTrail: An Urban Elevated Park for Evanston

Running seven miles along the elevated Metra embankment from the Wilmette/Evanston border to Bryn Mawr Avenue in Chicago is a vacant third track-bed which has sat out of use for many decades. This underutilized space, currently overgrown and overlooked, has tremendous potential to be transformed into the “MeTrail”, an urban linear park with multi-use path. Similar to Chicago’s 606 or New York City’s High Line, the MeTrail would be a tree-lined path winding its way above busy streets, serving not only as a park itself but a vibrant public amenity connecting Evanston’s major business districts: Central Street, Downtown Evanston, The Main-Dempster Mile, and Howard Street.

Unique green spaces would provide never before seen perspectives on our city for cyclists and pedestrians, while also promoting active, healthy lifestyles. Native plantings, benches for relaxation, picnic tables for socializing, and educational displays highlighting the area's local history, would be scattered along the route. The park could even incorporate interactive elements like play structures for children, encouraging families to enjoy the outdoors together in a safe, car-free environment.

Not only a recreational facility, this trail would draw new riders to the adjacent UP-North Metra Line, expanding access to current station locations in the diverse and high density neighborhoods along the route in Evanston, Rogers Park, and points south. Existing bike corridors could see ground level connections at multiple streets in Chicago at Howard, Touhy, Morse, and Pratt, and in Evanston at Oakton, Main, and Church/Davis.