RAILS to
TRAILS
CONSERVANCY
Working to convert
Illinois" abandoned
railroad right-of-ways
into a statewide
system of restored
trails and preserved
prairie land.
By Karen Fonte
Trails have come a long way
from pioneer days. Wagon
routes were eventually proceeded by railroads. Who would have
ever thought back then that railroads
would some day become recreational
trails?
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Whatever leisure activity interests
you — hiking, biking, walking, cross
country skiing, running, or just plain
escaping the traffic and bustle of the
city — trails have it all!
Trail Appreciation Month
The month of May has been proclaimed Trail Appreciation Month
in Illinois by Governor Thompson.
Trails throughout the state will conduct special activities to celebrate this
month. Everyone is encouraged to explore and enjoy trails during May and
show their appreciation by helping to
promote the development of a statewide trail network.
The concept of converting abandoned railroad right-of-ways into recreational trails is rapidly gaining popularity. Governmental officials and
dedicated trail enthusiasts have recently formed the Illinois Rails to
Trails Conservancy, a state chapter
of the national organization, with the
purpose of preserving abandoned rail
corridors for the public's enjoyment.
Often called greenways, linear
parks, rail trails, and emerald necklaces, railroads converted into recreational trails provide maximum recreational potential for a minimum
amount of land and development costs.
The popularity of trails such as
the Illinois Prairie Path, the North
Branch Trail and the Fox River Trail,
has sparked a grassroots support network for the development of a statewide system of trails linking urban,
rural, natural and cultural areas.
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A group outing converts to a pastoral brunch
overlooking the water along the Rock Island
Trail.
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Illinois Parks and Recreation
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May/June 1989
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Illinois currently ranks fourth in the
nation, with 20 rail to trail conversions, totaling over 200 miles. By comparison, Wisconsin has 16 trails, surpassing Illinois by over 400 miles of
trails. Since 1960, the number of people using bicycles has tripled to over
100 million. This increase also contributed to an increase in bicycle/car
accidents. The need for safe bicycle
paths is an important issue.
Public Input Requested
On weekends in May, several trails
throughout the state will be conducting a survey of trail users. Public input is needed to help assist in the planning of future trails. Proponents of
trails need to voice their support to
counteract the arguments of trail opponents. Their fears of crime and vandalism are unsubstantiated. Studies of
existing trails show that trails have
not contributed to increases in crime.
Rather, trails have actually increased
property values and generated new
revenue for local businesses.
Saving Prairie Land
The preservation of abandoned
railroads includes the preservation of
some of the last remaining stretches of
Illinois prairie land. This is significant; less than one percent of original
Illinois landscape remains intact and
protected today. Prairie ecology has
survived in these areas because the
railroads were laid out prior to intensive land use and also because of fires
sparked by the trains.
Tourism becomes another benefit
of developed greenways, as Wisconsin's trail system proves. Illinois has
just begun to capitalize on the benefits
trails can generate for tourism. Trail
enthusiasts become customers at local
restaurants, hotels, bike shops, and
other businesses many towns have to
offer.
Dotted with old graineries, tressle
bridges, depots, and an occasional ice
cream stand, Illinois' greenways connect our state's cultural, historical and
natural features. Greenways are not
only a scenic way to exercise, they are
places to explore with families, group
outings or by oneself.
For information on trails across the
state, contact the Illinois Department
of Conservation at 217/782-3715. For
information on how you can lend your
support of the conversion of abandoned railways to trails, write the
Illinois Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
at 711 First National Bank
Building, Peoria, Illinois 61602. For
information on local trail systems,
contact local park districts or county
forest preserve districts.
Two state trails to
explore this May.
The Rock Island Trail
A recent addition to the state trail
system, it runs 27 miles between Alta
(near Peoria) and Toulon, Illinois.
Typical of all railways, the trail is on
a graduated grade, tree-shaded, with
openings of prairie and panoramic
views of the countryside.
The trail passes through three small
towns. In Wyoming, Illinois, an 1871
trail depot graces the trail. The depot
is on the National Register of Historic
Places and is being restored to its
original charm. It will soon function
as a rest area and museum. The Rock
Island Trail is currently open for hiking and will be suitable for bicycling
by October, 1989.
For more information on the Rock
Island Trail, contact the Department
of Conservation, Rock Island State
Park, 215 S. Santa Fe, Princeville,
IL 61559, 309/385-2086.
The Illinois and Michigan
Canal Trail
The I&M Canal was built from
1836 to 1848, linking the Great Lakes
and the Mississippi River System. The
canal is very significant to the history
of the area by being the vehicle for the
opening up of the midwest for growth
and development. Most of the trail
is located on the actual towpath on
which mules and horses pulled tow
barges during the canal's heyday. The
corridor extends 120 miles from Lake
Michigan to Peru, Illinois. There are
approximately 50 miles of trail suitable for bicycle usage from Channahon to Peru. Additional trail mileage
in the corridor is currently being
planned. The Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District, formerly the
Metropolitan Sanitary District, is donating land to help extend the trail 26
miles from Lockport northeast to
Summit, Illinois. The trail will be
called the Centennial Trail in honor
of the MWRD's 100 years of operation. The Forest Preserves of Cook,
Will and DuPage Counties will be
responsible for trail management.
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The cultural heritage of the I&M
Canal, in itself, makes this trail worth
exploring. Learning more about the
history of the corridor will only increase the enjoyment of any visit to the
area. For a more detailed account of
the history and a map of the I&M Corridor, contact or visit the I&M Canal
Visitors Center, 200 W. Eighth St.,
Lockport, IL 60441; or Gebhard
Woods, P.O. Box 272, Ottawa St.,
Morris, IL 60450, 815/942-0796.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Fonte is communications
director with the Illinois Rails to
Trails Conservancy.
Illinois Parks and Recreation
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May/June 1989
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