Vernon Hills Considers New Bike Path

Cyclists could one day have a direct route from Butterfield Road to Indianwood Drive, if plans for a new Vernon Hills bike path come to fruition.

A plan to create a new path that would connect two existing bike paths was presented this month to Vernon Hills trustees during a committee of the whole meeting. The path would run parallel to the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern railroad tracks. It would connect with the existing path along Butterfield Road and run mostly northeast until it connects with the existing path near the intersection of Indianwood Drive and Cedar Court.

The proposed path would run about 100 feet from some residential lots, Public Works Director David Brown said.

While some might not like that proximity, "some will look at it as a useful trail," Village Manager Mike Allison said. Residents in the affected area will be invited to meet with village officials in the summer or fall to learn more about the plan.

Brown said the village has applied for a grant to help fund the project, which is estimated at $220,000.