Riverside finalizes alignment for Displayplains River Trail south extension

The Village Board approved a resolution on May 7 finalizing the alignment for phase-one engineering of the Displayplains River Trail South Extension for parcels within Riverside’s ownership, a step manager Francis said is needed before detailed engineering proceeds.

Manager Francis explained the resolution reflects coordination with the village of Brookfield, Cook County Forest Preserve and neighboring municipalities. He said the county agreed to assume future replacement costs for the segment where the alignment crosses county-owned land near Wabansy; Riverside will limit its approval to segments it owns so other jurisdictions are responsible for their pieces.

"We're narrowly focused on the alignment within Riverside for the parcels that we own," Francis said in presenting the resolution. The board approved the resolution so staff can proceed with phase-one engineering and later intergovernmental agreements for construction responsibilities.

Francis noted that much of the proposed trail will be on property owned by other agencies — Illinois Department of Transportation or Cook County Forest Preserve — and that future intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) will clarify construction and long-term maintenance obligations.

The approval authorizes staff to finalize the alignment and proceed with next steps in engineering and coordination with partner agencies.