Governor Announces Grants for Recreational Trail and Off-Highway Trail Development and Maintenance Projects

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced more than $1 million in grants to 14 communities and organizations for recreational trail development and maintenance projects.

"Trails are increasingly popular destinations in Illinois for everything from hiking and bicycle riding to snowmobiling and horseback riding," Ryan said. "Many of these projects expand and improve the wide variety of trails found in the state, including improved access in some locations for all-terrain vehicle and off-highway motorcycle riders."

Funding for the grants is from two sources. The federally-funded Recreational Trails Program (RTP), administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation, provides up to 80 percent reimbursement for an approved project's cost. The Illinois Off-Highway Vehicle Recreational Trails Program (OHV), funded through title fees paid by off-highway motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle owners, provides up to 100 percent reimbursement for approved project costs.

RTP projects are recommended for funding by the Illinois Greenways and Trails Council, composed of representatives of statewide and metropolitan area user organizations with expertise in trails and greenways, with technical assistance by IDNR and IDOT staff. OHV projects are recommended by the Illinois Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Advisory Board.

Application forms and more information on the RTP and OHV grant programs are available by contacting the IDNR Office of Grant Administration, 524 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1787, by calling 217/782-7481, Ameritech Relay 800/526-0844, TDD 217/782-9175, or on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

Listed below are the grant recipients, source of funding, county location, grant amounts and project descriptions for this year's RTP and OHV grants:

Canal Corridor Association (RTP), (Cook and Will counties) $45,600 to erect 23 mile-markers, five trail entry signs and two historic silhouettes along 15.95 miles of the Illinois and Michigan (I & M) Canal Trail. The I & M Canal Trail is a hiking/biking trail and is open for snowmobiling in season. It is part of both the Grand Illinois Trail and the American Discovery Trail. (Local contact: Valerie Garry, 312/427-3688).

Canal Corridor Association (RTP), (Grundy and LaSalle counties) $36,800 to place 150 bicycle racks along 39.7 miles of the I & M Canal Trail on public property in seven cooperating towns along the trail. (Local contact: Linda Garfield, 312/427-3688).

Coyote A.T.V. Trail Riders, Inc. (RTP and OHV), (Perry County) $50,400 to develop a formerly private 120-acre motorized recreation area near Coulterville into a public area with a restroom/storage building, primitive campground and perimeter fencing. (Local contact: Sam White, 618/758-2851).

Crystal Lake Park District (RTP), (McHenry County) $80,700 to widen 0.27 miles of an existing nature trail to eight feet with a crushed limestone surface to better accommodate persons with disabilities; widen 0.29 miles of an existing nature trail with a wood chip surface through a wooded area; replace two wooden footbridges with steel bridges; and, develop a parking area and two seating areas along the trails. (Local contact: Ann Viger, 815/459-0680).

Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (RTP), (Kane and Kendall counties), $21,600 to develop Fox River Water Trail signs to identify trail locations and access points for this canoe and kayak trail along the Fox River. (Local contact: Laura Ross, 630/879-2084).

Freeport Park District (RTP), (Stephenson County) $48,000 for improvements to the 14.5-mile Jane Addams Trail. The work will include toilet facilities at two trail head areas, as well as gravel parking areas and other site amenities at selected access points along the trail. The Jane Addams Trail, an equestrian/hiking/biking trail open for snowmobiling in season, is part of the Grand Illinois Trail. (Local contact: Steve Ehlbeck, 815/235-6114).

Joliet Park District (RTP), (Will County) $168,029 to develop an interpretive trail through mature woods that will be accessible to visitors using wheelchairs. The trail will also be open for cross-country skiing in season. (Local contact: Debbie Green, 815/741-7277).

Lake Zurich, Village of (RTP), (Lake County) $101,800 to construct a 5-ft. wide, 0.66-mile interpretive trail to provide public access to Oak Ridge Marsh. Development will include a parking area, electricity and lighting, a water fountain, benches and footbridges. The trail will also be open for cross-country skiing in season. (Local contact: Vijay Gadde, 847/540-1759).

Little Egypt Off-Road Motorcycle Club (RTP and OHV), (Williamson County) $46,080 for improvements including earthwork, completion of a welcome center, and the purchase of tractor implements for use in trail development and maintenance at the 398-acre motorized recreation area located near the town of Crab Orchard. (Local contact: Lance Martin, 618/252-3821).

McHenry County Conservation District (RTP), (McHenry County) $24,000 to construct a 50-ft. long by 10-ft. wide bridge over Nippersink Creek in Glacial Park for use by snowmobiles and cross country skiers. (Local contact: John Kremer, 815/678-4431).

Monmouth College (RTP), (Warren County) $131,216 to develop an 8-ft. wide, 1.25-mile interpretive loop trail and two bridges in a 32-acre ecological restoration area. (Local contact: Pete Loomis, 309/457-2300).

Springfield Park District (RTP), (Sangamon County) $70,400 to acquire 16.45 acres of wooded property adjacent to the10-acre Dreamland Park. The site will be developed with 1.5 miles of mountain bike trails. (Local contact: Michael Schneider, 217/544-1751).

Triple H. Inc. (RTP and OHV), (Christian County) $189,375 to develop a formerly private 340-acre motorized recreation area into a public area with the extension of the site entrance road, a restroom/storage building, site restoration, fencing and the purchase of a tractor and implements for trail development and maintenance. (Local contact: Leroy Harris, 217/237-4752).

Williams Hill Pass Association (RTP and OHV), (Saline County) $38,080 for improvements including the completion of a welcome center/registration building and a site security system at the 220-acre site near Rudement. (Local contact: Jimi Williams, 618/252-3978).