Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback
Standing at the future site of the Bronzeville Trail, John E. Adams, CPA, looked out over the remnants of a once-bustling railway embankment and saw a vision taking shape — a project decades in the making that could redefine a historic Chicago neighborhood.
The founder and executive director of the Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Adams spoke about how far the effort has come, and how close it is to reality.
A Legacy Reimagined
Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback
The embankment, part of the old Stockyards Line dating back to 1882, once fueled Chicago’s rise as the meatpacking capital of the world. After safety concerns prompted the city to elevate the line in 1907, it remained in operation for decades, including as the Kenwood “L” airline before being abandoned in 1957.
Now, the Bronzeville Trail Task Force — a coalition of residents, institutions and legacy stakeholders — is leading the transformation of that long-dormant space into an elevated park for walking, running and biking.
“In 2020, a group of community stakeholders came together and incorporated the Bronzeville Trail Task Force,” Adams said. “Since that time, we’ve accomplished several really incredible achievements getting this project off the ground.”
Those achievements include a 2023 feasibility study and a major boost in 2024 when the City of Chicago committed $5 million to help activate the project. The Chicago Department of Planning and Development also recently issued a task order to begin developing a framework plan, expected to be completed by early 2026.
Eyes on 2028
Adams said the goal is to finish “phase one” construction — the crucial first step in building the trail — by 2028.
“These projects don’t happen without federal dollars,” Adams noted, referencing how former Mayor Rahm Emanuel secured about $55 million to build the Bloomingdale 606 Trail on the North Side. That trail now draws more than 1.2 million visitors annually.
He expects the Bronzeville Trail could match or exceed that number, especially with the Roberts Temple — site of Emmett Till’s funeral — becoming a new national monument located right along the western edge of the future trail.
“What makes our trail unique is we’re connected to the lakefront bike trail,” Adams said. “Although we’re a mile and three-quarters long, we’re going to connect to a 28-mile lakefront bike trail.”
Before construction can begin in earnest, environmental remediation work must be done to address contaminated soil and remove asbestos, lead-based paint, and mold from old station sites.
“If we can get phase one construction done by 2028, then perhaps with federal assistance, we could begin construction of the Bronzeville Cultural Trail by 2030,” Adams said.
Bronzeville’s Beauty and Promise
Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) said the trail embodies a deeper commitment to the community.
“Bronzeville deserves to have everything that every other community in Chicago has,” Dowell said. “We’ve got a community of good people, riches, fantastic legacy and history and culture, and this trail symbolizes our commitment to continue to uplift this community.”
Beyond beautification, the trail will offer spaces for exercise and recreation, helping to improve the health outcomes of residents.
“It provides an opportunity for people to be healthy and to take part in activities that are going to improve our outcomes as we live our lives in this community,” Dowell said.
A Trail for the Future
Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback
The April 26 Celebrate Trails Day press conference brought together residents, stakeholders, and civic leaders to mark the project’s progress. Hosted by the Bronzeville Trail Task Force in partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy, the event doubled as a call to action: to rally around a project that could catalyze health, economic growth, and pride in Bronzeville.
Already, the project has secured significant financial backing, including a $900,000 Mellon Foundation grant, $75,000 from the Chicago Community Trust, and initial investments from the City of Chicago totaling over $5.5 million.
When fully realized, the Bronzeville Cultural Trail will not only honor the neighborhood’s role in the Great Migration and the Stockyards’ history, but also create a new artery of life — linking Bronzeville directly to the lakefront and anchoring it firmly in Chicago’s future.
“The project is real,” Adams said.
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