A work in progress

OUR NATURAL RESOURCE

A -Work in Progress

When it comes to seeing Illinois, we're all familiar with traveling
by rail, by air and by highway. Now there's another option-
the Grand Illinois Trail

BY LIZ PENSONEAU PHOTOS BY ADELE HODDE

Consider this scenario. It's summertime and your vacation time looms on the horizon. You'd like a change of pace from the usual road trip. You'd like to see some sights from a new perspective, get some exercise and maybe even connect with nature. If you can identify with this, consider a trip across the Grand Illinois Trail.

June marked the official celebration of the trail and its nearly 500 miles of scenic vistas. Myriad partnerships have allowed Department of Natural Resources trails to couple with local existing trails, making it possible to travel from

northeastern Illinois to northwestern Illinois via a network of trails that offer expansive opportunities for hiking, hiking and other recreational activities.

Dick Westfall, head of the Greenways and Trails Section in DNR's Division of Planning, said much of the GIT is completed and open to use. However, other sections-especially in the north central and western regions—are either in the planning or construction stage, with interim routes currently paralleling some of the construction zones. Regardless of the status of

44 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

any specific section, Westfall said the goal is to have a continuous route in place early in June.

"Clearly the most developed area in the state in terms of trails is northeastern Illinois," Westfall said. "And that is a reflection of the area's multitude of agencies and organizations that are interested in trails.... There are very few places in northern Illinois, where you'll be more than 10 miles from conveniences when traveling by bicycle."

Northeastern Illinois

The northeastern Illinois section of the GIT includes trails in McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook and Will counties. Keep in mind that trails in this region do not take the form of a single trail, but rather a system of trails that comprise a grid—a connecting infrastructure of trails in the six-county region. To simplify it, think of three main north/south corridors—one along the Chicago lakeshore, one along the Des Plaines River and a third along the Fox River- and three main east/west trails-North Shore Path, Illinois Prairie Path and Old Plank Road Trail. From any of these, you access the GIT.

The most exciting news about the GIT system in this region is that it provides access to western Illinois either by a southern route or a more northern route. If you are so inclined, you can make connections at Joliet and head out on the I&M Canal State Trail toward the Quad Cities, or you can connect with the Long Prairie Trail at the Boone-McHenry county line (west of Harvard) and continue on toward Galena. (Information about specific trails is given in the sidebar accompanying this story.) A brochure with a map will be available this month from DNR's Clearinghouse, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, 111. 62701, phone (217) 782-7498, or you can order the brochure online from DNR's home page: http:// dnr.state.il.us.

The GIT travels through state and local parks, conservation and recreation areas, forest preserves, and business and historic districts. Its Chicago Lakefront Path meanders through Grant Park and along the Magnificent Mile, affording a view of both Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. In many areas, the trail places users near restaurants and overnight accommodations. The Fox River Trail, at one point, even curves around a restaurant. At state park sites, concession operations await visitors.

Currently, the northeastern portion of the GIT connects with Moraine Hills State Park at McHenry; provides access to Illinois Beach State Park via the McClory Trail (go north from Lake Bluff); and links William W Powers Conservation Area in southeastern Chicago, Tri-County

Park in Elgin and the I&M Canal State Trail at Brandon Road in Rockdale, just west of Joliet.

LIZ PENSONEAU is a staff writer for Outdoorillinois. a publication of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This article is reprinted with permission from the June 2000 issue of Ouldoorlllinois

ADELE HODDE is the staff photographer for Outdootillinois.

Fulfillment of a Challenge
On Aug. 13,1995, DNR director Brent Manning and Department of Transportadon Secretary Kirk Brown jointly launched the Grand Illinois Trail plan by challenging hundreds of potential partners attending the Grand Illinois Trail Forum to join in developing a new type of transportation and recreation trail that would link Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River and connect metropolitan Chicago, Rockford and the Quad Cities with rural communities, state parks and other attractions.
Five years later, that challenge has been met through the utilization of 250 miles of existing trails, 40 miles of new construction and 185 miles of city streets, low-volume local roads and state highways. The GIT is actually a 475-mile super loop that makes it possible to bicycle across the state and return by a different route, taking in an entirely different landscape than what was seen on the first half of the trip.
The success of the concept can be attributed to the support the project has received from local and regional governmental agencies, communities and constituent organizations and five years of hard work by partners, communities, trail supporters and DNR staff.
The Grand Illinois Trail is an ongoing Illinois Department of Natural Resources partnership and includes three regional coalitions representing northeastern Illinois, canal country and northwestern Illinois. Additional partnerships exist with the Illinois Departments of Commerce and Community Affairs and Transportation, the Illinois Historic Presentation Agency, the Illinois Trails Conservancy, the League of Illinois Bicyclists, Illinois Trail Riders and the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
"It has been exciting to hear the level of support expressed by local governments for the concept," said Ders Anderson, greenways director for the Chicago region Openlands Project. "Many local governments pushed their individual trail plans into projects at a faster pace than originally intended in order to provide necessary links for the GIT. For those sections not yet built as of this spring, most expect their respective sections to come on line either later this year or by next summer. Some of the more difficult sections should be accomplished within two years."
Al Sturges, executive director of the League of Illinois Bicyclists, believes the trail is serving many useful purposes. "The GIT furthers the league's goals by, first, encouraging people to get out and ride their bikes. But perhaps even more importantly, by virtue of the trail's long distance, it has focused attention on the bicycle as transportation. In populated areas, trail segments are being used for transportation-to schools, to shopping and for other errands, to work, as well as for recreation and fitness. Of course, even the trail's recreational uses often reduce automobile usage, which in turn reduces pollution and roadway congestion. In summary, the League believes the GIT is just the kind of multipurpose, multi-benefit project Illinois needs. It's great."

July/August 2000 / 45

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS

Disabled Outdoors Program
Wins Honors

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was honored for its Disabled Outdoors Program by both the Illinois State Rifle Association and the state's In- teragency committee on Employees with Disabilities.

DNR director Brent Manning accepted the Illinois State Rifle Association's President's Award for the agency's "outstanding efforts to promote hunting opportunities for handicapped outdoors enthusiasts."

The Department also was recently named the large agency of the year by the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities for "its efforts to make state parks and other recreation areas accessible to people with disabilities." Specifically, the accessible outdoors program was recognized by the committee for organizing and offering activities such as pheasant, deer and dove hunts throughout the state for hunters with disabilities, and for providing special nature interpretation programs for people with developmental disabilities.

"The Disabled Outdoors Program is an aggressive, innovative program that offers outdoor activities—previously considered impossible due to outdoor, physical, logistical or governmental barriers—to the physically challenged," said Manning. "It truly is an honor to be recognized for our efforts. But the real reward is seeing the looks on the faces, the big smiles on the faces of the older hunters and anglers who once again are able to do something they haven't been able to do for 20 or 30 years, or the faces of the young hunters and anglers who are experiencing the thrill of the hunt or the rush of catching fish for the first time in their lives.

The program, still in its infancy, already is offering disabled hunters and anglers a full slate of hunting and fishing events in 2000. In addition, the program's administrator, Charlie Pangle, is continuing to work with sites throughout the state to identify new event possibilities and with private and public organizations to bring in more manpower and additional resources to expand die program.

"In one sense, we have an established program which already is producing positive results as evidenced by the awards being bestowed upon us," Pangle said. "However, we're only one year into this program and we're hoping to build on our successes from that first year. With the wonderful cooperation and assistance from a growing list of partnering organizations throughout the state, and energized by the excitement and overwhelming interest of the disabled hunters and anglers, we are looking forward to a promising future for the Department's Disabled Outdoors Opportunities Program."

In fact, the department is expanding the program. Jay D. Williams of Saline County is now overseeing the program for the southern portion of the state.

I've been in a wheelchair since I was 13 years old," said Williams, 40. "I've never missed a hunting date, season or opportunity. I know how to do this, I've been doing it for years, and I look forward to helping others do it by teaching, by leading as an example and by opening doors for other physically challenged hunters and anglers."

Persons interested in getting involved in the program as a hunter, angler, host, volunteer or sponsor should contact Pangle at 815.929.1223.

48 ¦ Illinois Parks and Recreation

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS

Five Natural Areas Now Official Nature Preserves

Five new natural areas are being protected by the state as nature preserves because of their significant ecological features.

"The owners of these new nature preserves should be commended for voluntarily agreeing to give up their development rights in order to protect the natural features on their land. Their commitment to conservation is good news for the continued existence of Illinois' remaining natural areas," said Carolyn Grosboll, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission director.

Areas include:

A 4-acre addition/buffer to Sleepy Hollow Ravine Nature Preserve in Kane County; six acres of prairie in Macoupin County that includes Roderick Barrens natural area and adjacent woodlands; a 2.43-acre addition to the Boone Creek Fen Nature Preserve in McHenry County; 40 acres of uplands adjacent to the 172-acre Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve in McHenry County; and a 62.4-acre addition to the Kettle Moraine Nature Preserve in McHenry County.

Areas dedicated as nature preserves can be used for activities such as wildlife observation, hiking, nature photography and scientific research. Illinois now has 295 nature preserves in 77 counties totaling 39,115 acres. Nature preserves must have the approval of the Director of the Department of the Natural Resources and the Governor, after being approved by landowner and the Commission.

Ryan Dedicates Cullerton Complex

Governor George H. Ryan dedicated Illinois Beach State Park along with North Point Marina as the Cullerton Complex in honor of William J. Cullerton, Sr., a much decorated war hero, radio personality, entrepreneur and outdoorsman. While the two sites will be known as the Cullerton Complex, each will retain its own name and management.

"From his early years, Bill has demonstrated true American grit and has dedicated much of his life to encouraging others to participate in the great outdoors, safely, effectively and ethically," Ryan said. "He has had a long and distinguished career and continues to be a strong advocate for outdoorsmen and outdoor issues."

Cullerton, 76, retired in December after 20 years as host of WGN-AM Radio's Saturday outdoors program. He most recently spearheaded efforts to install an artificial underwater reef in Lake Michigan to enhance fish habitat.

Cullerton, a distinguished and highly decorated pilot during World War II, has been honored by the United States, French, Polish and Russian governments. He is in the Illinois Military Aviation Hall of Fame and is enshrined in the Champlain Fighter Aces Museum in Phoenix, Az. His U.S. military honors include the Presidential Citation, andAir Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross. He has served on a variety of boards and won numerous honors.

"Bill Cullerton grew up around the shores of Lake Michigan and has been a strong spokesman for sportsmen and the outdoors in the northeastern Illinois," said DNR director Brent Manning. "As a member of the Illinois Conservation Foundation Board, he has been a tireless advocate for natural resources programs, particularly those that involve kids."

Wearing PFDs Saves Lives

As the boating session gets into high gear, boat operators and passengers are reminded to use life jackets, stay sober and to be considerate of others who are using the water.

"Last year, 11 of the 13 people who died in boating accidents in the state were not wearing life jackets, and alcohol was involved in nearly two- thirds of the fatal accidents," says DNR director Brent Manning. "There is no question that lives can be saved if boat operators are sober and if they make sure everyone aboard is wearing an approved life jacket."

The 13 deaths and 75 injuries as a result of boating accidents in Illinois in 1999 compare with 19 fatalities and 107 injuries in 1998, 14 deaths and 81 injuries in 1997, 27 fatalities and 90 injuries in 1996, and 16 deaths and 88 injuries in 1995.

There were a total of 159 boating accidents involving 238 vessels in Illinois last year. This compares with 176 accidents in 1998, 146 in 1997, 155 in 1996, and 178 in 1995.

Illinois law requires that life jackets, also known as personal floatation devices (PFDs), be available for each person aboard a boat or other water- craft. State law also requires anyone operating a personal watercraft to wear a life jacket. Anyone under the age of 13 is required to wear a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26 feet in length at all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin.

DNR offers free boating safety courses to persons age 10 and older that include a review of boating laws and instruction on the safe operation of watercraft. The course is required for 12- to 18-year-olds who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft without adult supervision. Course schedules are available by calling: 1.800.832.2599, TTY 217.782.9175 or on-line at: http://dnr.state.il.us.

July/August 2000 / 49