Forest preserve district officials join local trail enthusiasts to celebrate important trail connection

On Oct. 18, Forest Preserve District officials joined representatives from a local bike-and-run advisory committee along a new 1.7-mile section of limestone trail in Pratt's Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne to celebrate an important connection between the forest preserve's trails and the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.

The new trail segment marks the completion of the nearly 20-mile North Central DuPage Regional Trail, which spans northern DuPage County and connects the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path on the west to Cook County's Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village on the east.

It includes side paths as well as on-road and off-street trails.

The final segment runs along the west side of Munger Road from Forest Preserve Drive, crosses Army Trail Road, and ends at Smith Road, where it connects to the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.

The Forest Preserve District has been working cooperatively with DuPage County, local municipalities, and park districts to implement the North Central Regional Trail for more than 25 years.

The DuPage County Division of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation also had a role in its development.

The district recently received $1.5 million in Surface Transportation Program funds and $152,000 from the federally funded locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program for the construction of this final segment.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years.

More than 6.2 million people visit its 60-plus forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year.

For information, call (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the district's e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok pages.