West Fork River Corridor

Project Overview

Many people enjoy walking or biking along the river that runs through the center of Glenview. But as “natural” as it may seem in its present state did you know that 100 years ago it looked very different?

Our river – the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River – originally meandered through town, providing valuable habitat for wildlife and creating wetlands that helped filter and clean our water supply. But as Glenview changed and developed over time, the river changed too. Its original path was forced into a straight, man-made channel, where it remains to this day.

But that’s about to change again for “Reach 1” of the river – the part that runs between Willow Road and the Techny Basin. Thanks to federal stimulus funding received through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency this portion of the river will soon once again meander through wetland terraces, open water pockets, and a more natural environment, enhancing its value as part of our “green infrastructure” as it increases biodiversity, improves water quality, and reduces erosion.

Made possible through a $654,841 Water Pollution Control “enhanced loan” (meaning that 25 percent does not need to be repaid and the balance has no interest), construction of the project began in July 2010. Much like any remodeling project, things will look worse before they look better. Expect to see a lot of mud and construction equipment as work gets underway – but by spring of 2011, new plants will be going in and the re-naturalization of this important natural resource will be nearing completion.

It’s all part of the Village’s West Fork River Corridor project to improve habitat along the river in Glenview. So far, steep slopes and invasive plants along the river have been replaced by gentler grading and native vegetation at two other locations near the Techny Basin and near the war memorial in Glenview’s downtown (see project map on reverse). In June 2010, these combined efforts received a Silver Ribbon Award from the Friends of the Chicago River organization’s inaugural Chicago River Blue awards program.

Keep in touch with this project and all of the Village’s efforts to protect and enhance our natural resources! Visit Natural Resources Site

Project Map.