TRAIL of BENEFIT

By Paul V. Swanson Superintendent of Recreation

Zion's bike trail is utilized by all ages.

Thousands of bicycle riders played their roles last summer as the Zion Park District dedicated a 7 mile circular bicycle trail for public benefit. The development of the Zion Bicycle and Hiking Pathway began in 1899 when Reverend John Dowie laid the plans for Zion City, Illinois. Included were wide boulevards and sizable parks which not only created the outlines of Britain's Queen Anne Flag, but insured the presence of open space for the generations ahead.

Approximately three-quarters of the trail lies on present day parkland preserved as open space in the original plan. The remainder runs over lightly traveled streets. Riding the circuit takes the cyclist through lakefront marshes, along the original Lake Michigan Shoreline, through oak and maple woodlots, grasslands, across a 250 foot bridge over one of the deepest ravines in Northeastern Illinois, and through shaded residential neighborhoods.

People without bicycles may hike the trail or rent a bicycle from the boat and bike concession in Shiloh Park. Though the trail is complete, tourers can look forward to the establishment of several rest areas, play sites, and continued landscaping along the route. In addition the trail passes near the site selected for a Nature Center in 50 acre Beulah Park.

The desire for a trail has existed since 1963 when the District received the first of two H.U.D. grants for the purchase of open space. In addition, half of the cost of construction of the trail was funded from a third H.U.D. grant. A referendum asking to sell bonds for the development of twelve parks, the Leisure Center-Ice Arena, a neighborhood recreation center, a second swim pool tank and new bathhouse, and the bicycle-hiking trail, passed in April 1972. The Board of Commissioners became the general contractor.

The route was laid out by Zion's Director of Parks and Recreation. Many bends and curves protect trees that otherwise would have had to be removed. Clearing the path and obtaining fill was assumed by the Superintendent of Parks and his maintenance crew. Street repairs by the Zion City Street Department helped provide some of the hundreds of yards of fill needed to cross the lake marshes. Drain tiles were placed under the trail bed to continue the natural water flow. A six inch bed of road gravel, eight feet wide, underlies the 11/2 inch by six foot asphalt surface.

Meanwhile the Maintenance Department had undertaken the task of constructing a 150 foot bridge over Kellogg Creek in Beulah Park and in bringing the trail to the bridge on either side. The topography of the bridge location prevented the use of maintenance vehicles and

Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 July/August. 1974

The trail passes through many wooded areas.

power equipment in the construction of this portion of the trail and the bridge.

By Memorial Day 1973, the trail was complete and officially opened for public recreation. The pathway was an immediate success. Most mornings one could find joggers using the trail. Daytime would find youth riding throughout the trail. Evenings the trail provided an opportunity for couples and families to ride. The circular path enables one to get on and off at will without the need to reach an end or starting point. Seldom are riders more than a mile from their homes.

The western side of the route doubles as a sidewalk for youth going to and from school or to the corner stores.

Maintenance includes keeping the trail free of gravel, glass and brush, repairing washouts in the marshy areas after heavy rains, and replacing route signs. This work has been shared by Park Maintenance employees and the District Pathway Patrol. These are youth hired to ride the trail, clean up the gravel and glass, assist riders in distress (flat tires, skinned knees, etc.) and report general trail conditions and incidents of vandalism. Their equipment includes a bicycle with cart attached, brooms, a shovel, a first aid kit and a two way radio.

The Zion Bicycle-Hiking Pathway provides easy access to the expanded Illinois Beach State Park and their proposed system of pathways. The Trail will also become a part of the proposed Green Bay Pathway.

While the Zion Trail waits for these future developments it already has become a benefit to the Park District and the community by providing a safe interesting riding area, by providing an opportunity for individual, family, and group recreation and by providing a means for the residents of Zion to utilize the benefit directly from the open space preserved by Reverend Dowie in 1899.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 July/August, 1974