PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria Park District is hopeful to complete the puzzle of gaps on one of its trail systems.
The district is receiving a $255,000 state OSLAD grant for the propose of acquiring 40 acres of land along the Illinois River Bluff Trail.
“The target of this grant is to try to connect all the parts, so that our trail can go all the way from Forest Park Nature Center to Camp Wokanda,” said PPD Executive Director Emily Cahill.
Cahill says it’s a plan that’s been in the works for several years.
She says it’s an opportunity to make the trail more complex and challenge people who may hike it.
“We know that having trails that are challenging and engaging and that are long enough that people don’t just do a loop over and over and over again. That’s something that draws people to a community,” Cahill said.
The grant funding could also be used to add new signs that teach conservation efforts and different habitats. Cahill cited as one example a sign telling people about the growing population of rusty patch bumblebees along the trail.
