A Forest Preserve District of Will County trail connection that stretches from Shorewood to Joliet along Black Road opened for public use on Friday, November 12, following a public ribbon cutting ceremony.
The trail connection links the DuPage River Trail in Hammel Woods with the Rock Run Greenway Trail in Rock Run Preserve. The new path includes pedestrian bridges over the DuPage River and Interstate 55. The ribbon cutting was held on the DuPage River bridge portion of the trail connection.
“This bridge is going to increase the safety of walkers, runners and bikers,” said U.S. Rep Bill Foster. “… And it’s going to help everyone who is trying to get out on these trails to explore everything our region has to offer.”
Forest Preserve Executive Director Ralph Schultz said the project, which was first conceived in 1999, was long overdue.
Now that it has been completed, the trail connection will tie together more than 35 miles of trails in Will County and three times that using an interconnected network of roads and other regional trails, Schultz said. “The completion of this project furthers our ongoing efforts to make multi-modal transportation, wellness and enjoyment of our natural spaces more real.”
Forest Preserve Board President Joe VanDuyne said partnerships played a big role in getting the trail connection and other Forest Preserve improvements built.
“Our local, state and federal partners are important to achieving our mission to reconnect people to nature and to connect our communities,” he said. “Through the years, we’ve worked with local municipalities, park districts and townships along with state and federal agencies to build our forest preserve system and our trail network, and to restore natural habitats throughout the county. We know that together we achieve more.”
The project is a great addition to both the Village of Shorewood and the City of Joliet, said Forest Preserve Board member Don Gould. “I’m just glad to have worked on this, and I’m really glad to see this day,” he said.
Connecting trails for safety and recreation is one of the ways the Board provides a healthier community for all residents, said Denise Winfrey, who chairs the Forest Preserve Board’s operations committee. “Will County is a great place to live, work and play and this is just another example of how we make that happen,” she said.
Among the elected officials who gathered for the ribbon cutting were two frequent Forest Preserve path users who were thrilled they were finally able to walk the new stretch of path over the DuPage River and I-55.
“I’m so excited,” said Susan Wietlispach. “I can now ride farther on my bike. It keeps me grounded and healthy and it’s fun.”
For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.
