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The first phase of the Kickapoo Rail Trail is now under construction. Work on the trail began in the spring of 2016. By July 2017, the 6.7 mile Urbana to St. Joseph trail segment is expected to open to the public for hiking, biking, and other non-motorized uses.
The project was originally spearheaded under the leadership of Heartland Pathways and the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation. The Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Vemilion County Conservation District own and manage the portion of the trail within their respective counties.
The natural resources of this area provided prehistoric peoples, Native Americans and early non-native immigrants with the materials they needed to survive. This rich environment allowed local populations to settle, grow, and develop new technologies, leading to the 1869 construction of the railway that will serve as the base of the Kickapoo Rail Trail. This line, originally the Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Western Railway, will allow travelers of today to ride and walk in the footsteps of Native Americans, early settlers, and even the young attorney Abraham Lincoln, who rode a nearby route on horseback as part of the 8th Judicial Circuit.
To become part of the exciting project, you can make a tax deductible donation by check, payable to Kickapoo Rail Trail or online at the link below.
Donate Online Today
September 30, 2017 Homer Lake Forest Preserve - New Location! Check back in May for registration.
More information about the trail will be provided as plans develop. Individuals interested in learning more about Kickapoo Rail Trail can get more information by contacting the CCFPD at hq@ccfpd.org or (217) 586-3360. Follow the trail on Facebook (facebook.com/kickapoo.railtrail/) and Twitter (@KickapooRT) too.