Forest district moves to complete regional trails
Plans are moving ahead to complete the West Branch DuPage River and North Central DuPage regional trails.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County board recently approved proceeding with the first phase of engineering for the West Branch DuPage River Trail at Blackwell and West DuPage Woods forest preserves, and for the North Central DuPage Regional Trail at Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve.
The projects are the last segments needed to complete both trails. When done, the 35-mile North Central DuPage Regional Trail will connect the Elgin branch of the Illinois Prairie Path to Forest Preserve District of Cook County trails and the Schaumburg Bikeway System.
The 23-mile West Branch DuPage River Trail will connect the North Central DuPage Regional Trail south to Will County, where it will extend to Channahon as the DuPage River Trail.
"The citizens of DuPage County will benefit greatly from completion of these regional trails connecting to miles of forest preserve trails, residential areas, parks, train stations and other destinations," said Joe Cantore, forest district president.
"Regional trails provide alternative transportation options, help promote an active, healthy lifestyle and improve the overall quality of life."
The district has been working for decades with DuPage County, numerous municipalities, park districts and other organizations to complete the regional trails. Work is being funded through a variety of sources, including county, state and federal dollars.
"We're saving DuPage County taxpayers money and completing these projects in the most cost-efficient way possible by securing funding from outside sources, providing visitors with additional ways to connect to nature," said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Marsha Murphy, District 1.
In June, work began on a pedestrian bridge over County Farm Road in Hanover Park that will connect Mallard Lake and Hawk Hollow forest preserves. The bridge and a new 1-mile trail at Mallard Lake will provide a missing link in the greater North Central DuPage Regional Trail. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2017.
In May, work began on a 1.4-mile stretch of the West Branch DuPage River Trail along Fair Oaks Road between St. Charles Road at Timber Ridge Forest Preserve and Lies Road at West Branch Forest Preserve. Construction should be completed by the end of the year.