Sixty-five feet of recycled refuse. That’s Mount Trashmore. A hill built from garbage. Can you believe it?
Welcome to Mount Trashmore in Evanston Illinois. This isn’t your average park hill. It started life as a landfill. Closed in 1965 it was transformed into the park you see today. A testament to resourcefulness.
Imagine the transformation. Mountains of trash became a recreational area. People used to ski here. Yes really. In the 1970s Evanston even installed a tow rope and snow-making machines. Skiing stopped in the 1980s. Now it’s a popular sledding hill in winter. A haven for runners and hikers in the summer.
Northwestern University’s football team even used Mount Trashmore for training. In 1995 coach Larry Lilja had his players run up and down this hill repeatedly. They went on to play in the Rose Bowl. A seemingly unusual training method with a successful outcome.
Mount Trashmore is more than just a hill. It’s a symbol of urban renewal and creative problem-solving. It’s a place where the past and present meet. Garbage transformed into a beloved recreational space. A unique spot in Evanston that continues to surprise and delight. A true testament to turning something unwanted into something wonderful. A quirky reminder that even from refuse something beautiful can grow. Enjoy your time exploring this remarkable hill.