Congrats to a new GIT Trail Blazer!
Congratulations to our newest GIT Trail Blazer-Bernd Von Sosen of Elgin, IL. What’s a GIT Trail Blazer you say? Complete the Grand Illinois Trail and visit all of the checkpoints and send a journal to the Illlinois Department of Natural Resources and YOU can be a Trail Blazer too!
Proposed bike path would connect Oak Lawn and Cal-Sag
The Reporter Online
Oak Lawn officials are attempting to pedal the village closer to its goal of becoming a sustainable community that encourages and enables active living.
The Village Board on Jan. 26 saw and heard a comprehensive bicycle plan created by the Active Transportation Alliance. Steven Buchtel, Active Trans’ Southland coordinator, presented a 31-page plan and PowerPoint overview at a meeting attended by many avid area bicyclers.
Oak Lawn hired Active Trans, formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, in 2008 to put the plan together at a cost of $10,000.
Adopting the plan would make Oak Lawn sustainable and “green” in a couple of different ways, according to Buchtel.
“It’s sustainable on at least two fronts,” he said. “One from an energy conservation standpoint, and secondly from an economic standpoint.
“Obviously, the more car trips you can replace with a non-motorized trip — biking or walking, the lower a community’s carbon footprint will be.”
Sangamon Valley Trail to open 2011
By TIM LANDIS (tim.landis@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Feb 03, 2010 @ 10:45 AM
The Sangamon Valley Trail should open in the spring or summer of 2011 local transportation and park district officials said at a press conference today outlining a construction schedule for the nearly $3.6 million project.
“Trails are one of the most challenging opportunities we put together, but they are worth it,” said Springfield Park District president Leslie Sgro said during an announcement held at the south end of the trail in Centennial Park.
The 5.5-mile trail will connect Stuart Park and Centennial Park along an old railroad bed on the west side of Sangamon County.
The cost includes nearly $2.9 million from federal economic-stimulus money, $568,000 from the county and $150,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
County highway engineer Tim Zahrn said bid-letting is scheduled for April 23 with construction starting about four to six weeks later.
“It’s estimated it’s about a yearlong project, starting early to mid-construction season. It’ll carry over to 2011, so we’re looking at spring or early summer of 2011 (to open),” said Zahrn. He added that the work includes conversion of five former railroad bridges, similar to the work done on the Interurban and Wabash trails.
While no immediate funding is available, Sgro said the district next would begin to look at ways to connect existing recreation trails in the city and county. The park district will take over the Sangamon Valley Trail once it is completed.
“Not only will this create jobs. It’ll be a regional draw for tourism,” said Sgro.
Copyright 2010 The State Journal-Register. Some rights reserved.
Next stretch of county trail ready for bids
Bill Grimes
Effingham Daily News
A group trying to develop a trail system in Effingham County has embarked on the next step of its quest.
The Trail Recreation Effingham County (TREC) board unanimously agreed Thursday to let bids for Phase 1B of the system, a 3,280-foot stretch from the Little Wabash River west to Nazarene Church Road. Board President Frank Brummer said it is possible construction on the segment will begin this summer.
TREC has the money to pay for the estimated $270,000 cost of Phase 1B, according to financial records released Thursday. Treasurer Ken Vogt said the organization has $362,106.14. Most of that money — $307,391.94 — is in a savings account at Crossroads Bank. Another $34,861.96 is in a checking account at the same bank, while the other $19,851.24 is in a stock account managed by Raymond James.
Moreover, the organization is still waiting for more than $940,000 in pledges from a total pledged amount of more than $1.36 million. More than $417,000 in pledges from individuals and organizations has been collected.
But TREC isn’t just relying on donations, Brummer said, adding he would like to have an application for a bike path grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources completed by March 1.
Brummer said TREC board members also have been in contact with the Lumpkin Foundation for additional funding.
Brummer outlined his hopes for TREC in his annual “State of the Trail” presentation Thursday. Additional goals for 2010 include:
• Supporting the city of Effingham’s pending bicycle/pedestrian comprehensive plan.
• Finish construction on Phase 1A of the trail that stretches from Calico Road to the river.
• Continue the engineering and bid process for a bridge and elevated walkway over the river to link phases 1A and 1B.
TREC has evolved since its 2004 founding into an organization that has progressed far beyond the process of trail development, Brummer said.
“TREC is about promoting active lifestyles,” he said. “It’s more than building trails.”
Also Thursday, the board unanimously agreed to retain Brummer as president for another year. Other officers elected Monday were Frank Kabbes, vice president; Dan Woods, secretary; and Ken Vogt, treasurer.
Kabbes, who has been heavily involved in the fund-raising process, had earlier been elected as a new board member.
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.
Mountain Bike Session – Februrary 20, 2010
Feb. 20
Mike Staub and Terry Carter of the Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association, will lead a trail-building and care training session at Wildlife Prairie State Park, west of Peoria. Visit http://www.imba.com /tcc/ trailschool.html and http://www.pambamtb.org. E-mail swickle6@yahoo.com to register.
Signs of recovering market? Homebuilders drawn to Shiloh – Metro-east news – bnd.com
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via Signs of recovering market? Homebuilders drawn to Shiloh – Metro-east news – bnd.com.
Springfield, IL Westside trail work could begin in spring
File/The State Journal-Register
The overpass on Old Jacksonville Road will be part of the Sangamon Valley Trail.
By TIM LANDIS (tim.landis@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Jan 07, 2010 @ 10:30 PM
Last update Jan 08, 2010 @ 04:58 AM
Construction could begin this spring on the first six miles of a bike trail across western Sangamon County.
Local transportation planners said Thursday bids would be opened in March for the first phase of the Sangamon Valley Trail, subject to final approval by the county board. The goal is to open the trail in the summer of 2011.
The first section is to run between Centennial Park, north of Interstate 72 on Springfield’s west side, and Stuart Park, which is southwest of Capital Airport. Eventually, planners want to build a 38-mile path cutting through the west side of the county.
County planning engineer Brian Davis said Thursday the trail would be similar in design to the Interurban and Wabash trails in Springfield and Chatham.
While this phase of the trail will not link to existing bike paths, county planners do expect it will be heavily used.
“It’s probably going to be more popular than the Interurban because of all the subdivisions in that area,” said Davis.
Federal dollars
Federal economic stimulus funds totaling more than $2.8 million will pay most of the trail’s $3.6 million cost. The money is designated for an “enhancement” program for projects such as trails, beautification, alternative transportation and landscaping.
“Enhancement money can only be spent on specific projects. It cannot be used for road overlays or bridges,” said Davis.
County engineer Tim Zahrn said the local share will come from motor-fuel tax funds set aside for federal matching projects.
The county board is scheduled to consider the project next week.
Two Springfield members of the League of Illinois Bicyclists welcomed news that construction could be about to begin on a project that has been stalled for years by a lack of funding.
“This is huge,” said Lynn Miller, who added that the section is an important first step toward an interconnecting network of bike paths.
Bill Donels said he has heard suggestions that taxpayer money could better be spent on roads and other improvements that benefit the general public, rather than bike trails.
But he pointed out that the money for the Sangamon Valley Trail was specifically intended for such projects.
“Springfield, Sangamon County and central Illinois have been way behind in capturing these kinds of funds compared to the rest of the state, especially the northeast part of the state. Taxpayers should be very pleased that we are finally getting some of these funds in our area,” Donels said.
The next section
The long-term plan is for a 38-mile trail from Athens in southern Menard County to just north of Girard in northern Macoupin County.
Davis told committee members the next phase of construction will take the trail into northern Sangamon County, but he said money hasn’t been set aside for that work.
“This is six miles of a 20-some mile section for us,” he said. “If it’s taken us six years to get six miles, what’s it going to take us for another 20?”
Tim Landis can be reached at 788-1536.
About the Sangamon Valley Trail
* The project, proposed six years ago, would create a bike and recreation path from Athens to just north of Girard, about 38 miles. Construction of the first six-mile section will be between Centennial and Stuart parks on the west side of Sangamon County.
The first-phase funding breakdown
* $2.872 million from federal economic-stimulus funds.
* $150,000, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
* $388,500, Sangamon County.
* $179,500, county engineering costs.
Source: Springfield Area Transportation Study
Hennepin Canal – Steve Moser Retires
Devoted to preservation: Hennepin Canal superintendent retires after 28 years
By SAM SMITH
ssmith@svnmail.com
800-798-4085, ext. 525
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Steve Moser stands at the lock of Hennepin Canal in Rock Falls. Moser recently retired after 28 years as Hennepin Canal State Park’s site superintendent. (Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@svnmail.com) |
STERLING – A man who loved the Hennepin Canal in childhood, then devoted his career to preserving the 105-mile national landmark, has retired after 3 decades of working to transform the abandoned shipping route into a recreational state park.
Steve Moser grew up along the canal banks in Kewanee where he fished the Hennepin with his grandfather. He retired Thursday after 28 years as superintendent of the Hennepin Canal State Park.
“I was a fan of it from being a little guy on up,” said Moser, 60, now of Sterling. “I was lucky enough to get the [superintendent] position, and I fell in love with it even more … This is the second-best job I could have had [behind playing third base for the St. Louis Cardinals.]”
When he took the job, the Army Corps of Engineers recently had abandoned the commercially useless canal, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources had put little money into its upkeep.
The eastern 30-or-so miles were dry, with trees sprouting up from the canal bed. Levees were washed out and no one had the money to repair them.
“It wasn’t so much used as it was abused,” Moser said. But, “from small things come big things.”
Thanks largely to Moser’s advocacy, collaboration with area stakeholders, governments at all levels, and plenty of donations and volunteers, IDNR was able to repair the levees a few miles at a time, eventually refilling the canal and stocking it with fish.
“We were fortunate to be able to do it right,” Moser said.
Gary Wagle, 70, president and founder of the nonprofit Friends of the Hennepin Canal, sings Moser’s praises.
“There’s just all kinds of good things to say about the guy. … Because of him, we got to know the canal much, much better.”
Moser won’t take credit for transforming the waterway into a park – “I was in the right place at the right time for a lot of things,” he said.
Joanne Gernant, treasurer of the Friends, has been riding horseback along the canal’s towpath for 70 years. She calls the state park “my peacemaker.”
“Steve really wants to please all disciplines of recreation,” Gernant said. “I thought he was one of the gentlest, kindest people I knew. … The more I knew him, the more respect I had for him.”
Since 2003, Moser and his staff have had to work harder to maintain the park, plus thousands of acres of nearby wildlife preserves. In 6 years, IDNR has cut staff from a high of 22 to 13 this year, and no one has been announced to replace him, Moser said.
“I realize tough times call for tough decisions … but we’re spread really thin,” Moser said. “You can’t take a staff of 22 and cut it almost in half and expect to get the same quality of work.”
Among the projects Moser is most proud of are the levee repairs and paving towpaths, which were originally designed for animals to pull barges, turning them into bike trails.
He was at the visitor’s center in Sheffield when the Rock River Development Authority’s Rock Falls chapter asked what it could do to help restore the canal. That was 1988, and it marked the start of the trail initiative. To date, IDNR has finished 91 of the canal’s 105 miles.
“It’s just grown and grown to the point where it’s a part of the community, and that’s been rewarding.”
Illinois Trails & Greenways 
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