DOC Urges State to Purchase Railroad Rights-of-Way

The Illinois Department of Conservation has gone on record as supporting the development of a funded state program which would result in the purchase of abandoned railroad rights-of-way for public recreational lands.

In a written statement presented to the Illinois Transportation Study Commission, Conservation Director David Kenney pointed out that these rights-of-way should be retained in public ownership to provide badly needed recreational lands. Kenney also said the corridors provide valuable wildlife habitat and rare prairie remnants which could be destroyed should these areas be sold into private ownership.

Pointing out that railroad rights-of-way provide valuable 'edge' vegetation, Kenney said: "Agricultural activities in Illinois have intensified to the degree that we now cultivate nearly every available acre of rural land. In many parts of the state railroad rights-of-way provide practically the only remaining habitat available for wildlife survival. To allow these rights-of-way to be sold, cleared of their vegetation and cultivated will deal yet another serious blow to the diminishing wildlife populations of Illinois."

Kenney pointed out that the prairie remnants found along railroads represent the only remaining high quality examples of prairie vegetation found in many parts of the state, and said the value of these unique areas in terms of scientific research, classroom education and natural heritage appreciation is immense.

Abandoned railroad rights-of-way also offer significant recreational potential, according to Kenney. "In Illinois, where land is at a premium and recreational land is seriously lacking, the use of abandoned rights-of-way for recreation could substantially increase public recreational opportunities." Kenney noted that many rights-of-way could be developed easily into high quality recreation trails providing excellent opportunities for a diversity of recreational activities, including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. In addition, abandoned railroad rights-of-way, because of their even grade, provide ideal opportunities for handicapped and elderly persons who cannot make use of trails which feature rough terrains.

Kenney pointed out that neighboring states, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, have developed highly successful trail programs by converting abandoned railroad rights-of-way, and said abandoned rights-of-way in Illinois could be similarly developed into high quality trail facilities by both state and local governments. "Recreational trail opportunities are greatly needed in Illinois, especially long distance trails—the kind which, in many cases, could be provided by using abandoned rights-of-way," Kenney said. "Bicycling and hiking rank second and fourth, respectively, among all recreational pursuits in the state, and participation is projected to increase by more than 50 percent within the next 20 years."

Kenney said the state also should not assume that the need for abandoned railroad rights-of-way as valuable transportation corridors is gone forever. "We must look beyond current transportation needs to these corridors' value as established, intact rights-of-way available for future transportation purposes, should the need arise. The existing energy crisis and the anticipated escalation of this situation is creating a greater demand for mass transportation and, clearly, there is a good possibility of future need for these existing corridors. In this time of high gasoline costs, corridors linking communities which facilitate foot and bicylce travel can make significant contributions to energy conservation."

"If the railroad rights-of-way currently being abandoned in Illinois are permitted to be absorbed into the general landscape, then this state will have lost invaluable transportation and conservation corridors and important elements of our cultural and natural heritage."

This article is reprinted from the March 17, 1980 issue of Outdoor Highlights published by the Illinois Department of Conservation.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 37 May/June, 1980