A greenway is a natural corridor of land connecting existing areas of open space. Greenways are typically in the form of shared-use paths and trails. They connect parks, preserves, wetlands, unique habitats, and other environmentally sensitive areas across urban and rural lands.

Regional examples of greenways can be found in the following areas:

• Kinnikinnick Creek Conservation Area: 3.5 miles of trails through meadows and woodlands as well as an equestrian trail.
• Nygren Wetland Preserve: Dianne Nora Nature Trail is an unpaved 2.5-mile hiking trail around the wetland.
• Lowden - Miller State Forest: 22 miles of maintained trails that allow for horseback riding, hiking and cross-country skiing.
• R. Robert Funderburg Forest Preserve: 8 miles of hiking trails with various lengths and difficulties for all abilities.

The vision for regional greenways plans throughout Illinois was first conceived during the Governor’s Workshop on Greenways and Trails held in Springfield in May 1995, launched by then-Governor Edgar and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The workshop led to the creation of a program designed to “encourage and facilitate comprehensive, cooperative, and coordinated planning to protect high-priority greenways and, where appropriate, provide public access by developing trails...protecting greenways and developing trails requires cooperation and coordination amongst several jurisdictions.”

The IDNR created a grant program to provide financial assistance for the creation of regional greenways plans. Funded plans were required to:

• Explicitly consider bike trail projects;
• Identify priority greenway and trail projects;
• Include an action plan identifying sequential activities and responsible parties; and
• Consider potential linkages to state sites and trails, greenway and trail initiatives of statewide significance, and priority greenways and trails in neighboring communities, counties, and metro areas.

A group of local agency staff and community citizens convened in 1996 to discuss developing a greenways plan for the Rockford Region. The group successfully received funding from the IDNR to develop a greenways map and plan document, establishing a collaborative effort to identify existing trails, open space, and future linkages to the greenway network. The finalized map was published in December 1997.

Since then, the Greenways map for the Rockford Region has been consistently updated every 5 to 7 years. 2015 was the first year the Greenways map was accompanied by a planning document, which is also updated every 5 years alongside the map.