Conclusion

Accessibility, cleanliness and interactivity are at the core of our design. With our proposed solutions, the trail would be transformed from a neglected, deteriorating asphalt trail to a location in Winnetka where residents can admire the beauty of their community and local environment. Most importantly, the trail will also become an area for future development of community events and interactivity.

The tiered retaining walls will address the drainage issues that threaten the cleanliness of the trail. With less excess water, there will be less of a threat from mosquitos and methane gas, resulting in a cleaner, safer place for users. Not only that, but the retaining walls will also make the trail more accessible. The cleaner surfaces will make it easier for the park district to construct new ramps for cyclists or people that use wheelchairs.

The mural and the plants will also help restore the trail's cleanliness, so much so they will even make the trail beautiful again. The implementation of the mural will add color to the dark and bland underpasses. The plants will add to this by giving the underpasses a sense of life and beauty that concrete walls lack, and make the underpasses match the rest of the trail more. The murals will also increase user interactivity in the trail. Since they are made by local artists, users will be able to learn more about and interact with the talent found in Winnetka.

Lastly, the QR code will make the trail interactive and academic given the fact that they provide resources people can look at and learn from. The QR codes will be linked to the Friends of the GBT website and other resources that teach about the plants around the trail and also educate on the need for more native plants to be at the GBT.