Naperville Park District agrees on trail

Naperville hikers and bikers may not have to avoid 79th Street for much longer.

The Naperville Park District on Thursday approved spending $13,750 to help fund a trail connection between 79th Street and the Greene Valley Forest Preserve near Woodridge.

The project will be a partnership of the park district, Naperville, Lisle Township and the DuPage County Forest Preserve.

Park board President Mike Reilly was absent Thursday but in a statement read by Vice President Gerry Heide he praised the cooperation of the four entities.

"This is a very good example of common sense, especially public safety triumphing over bureaucratic hurdles for the benefit of our residents," Reilly said in the statement.

Naperville's bike trail currently ends at 79th Street and Yackley Avenue, leaving about a one-third mile gap between the trail and the forest preserve, an area just outside Naperville city limits. Those who walk and bike in the area say it is a dangerous gap as 79th Street - a Lisle Township road - does not have a shoulder or sidewalks.

Forest preserve officials are overseeing the project, which they expect to cost $110,000. They believe they can secure a grant to pay for half of the project. The four entities involved will split the remaining cost.

The park board voted 6-0 in favor of the project.