Aurora, DuPage get grant money for trail projects

The city of Aurora and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County each will get a share of nearly $1.6 million in grant money for recreational trail projects across the state.

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Monday that grants for recreational trail development projects have been awarded to 11 governmental communities to help them "meet the growing demand for improved trails and outdoor recreation facilities."

Aurora will receive $140,000 to replace a "crumbling" concrete staircase that connects the south end of the east branch of the Fox River Trail with New York Street in the city's downtown. The Fox River Trail extends nearly 60 miles from Oswego north to near the Wisconsin border.

The city will install a metal stairway to replace the concrete steps, officials said.

Meanwhile, the forest preserve district will receive $200,000 to construct .6 miles of multiuse trail along the northern boundary of St. James Farm Forest Preserve near Warrenville.

Officials said the trail will expand the preserve's equestrian recreational opportunities. It also will provide a link to a future trail through Cantigny Park, they said.

Funding for the grants is supported by the federal government's Recreational Trails Program, which provides up to 80 percent reimbursement to local grant recipients for the cost of the trail projects. Grant recipients pay the remaining cost of the projects.

The grant program in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation.