The Illinois Prairie Path Newsletter
Summer 1996

- Jean C. Mooring, Editor -

A Friendly Railroad City To Visit: Historic West Chicago

The CA&E was just a johnny-come-lately among West Chicago's famous railroads. The roster of names includes the Galena and Chicago Union (predecessor of the Chicago and NorthWestern), the Aurora Branch Railroad (today the Burlington Northern Santa Fe), the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern, and the Union Pacific (successor to the NorthWestern). The G&CU was the earliest built in the area and dated from 1849.

As the railroads grew so did the community. Changing times brought changing names: Junction (When the Chicago Branch Railroad joined the main line of the G&CU to go into Chicago the town was called Junction); next Turner Junction and later Village of Turner (named for the president of the G&CU; then Village of West Chicago; and finally City of West Chicago. This year the city celebrated on January 25 the centennial of its name.

West Chicago has many attractions including an outstanding park district, many charming old homes, a beautiful new library and a carefully preserved C&NW railroad station. A newly built section of the Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur parallels the route of the old CA&E trolley line through the heart of the city's charming historic district. All year round but especially during the annual Railroad Days festival this hospitable city welcomes visitors from near and far to remember a romantic past and look forward with confidence to an even more prosperous future.

A GREAT DAY FOR TRAILS IN ILLINOIS

The day began early, at 8:30 a.m., at First Avenue, Maywood. Mayor Freelon, on behalf of the Maywood Village Board, read a proclamation extending a warm welcome and best wishes to Mike Ulm and Kandee Haertel representing the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The two were starting the last leg of their epic journey around the 475-mile Grand Illinois Trail, proposed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to cross northern Illinois twice between Chicago and the Mississippi River. Also present to cheer on the adventurous duo and their entourage, which by then included Illinois Prairie Path President Paul Aeschleman and board members David Tate, Eric Keeley, John Kacich and many other trail fans, were most of the members of the Maywood Village Board and State Representative Eugene Moore (D-7), who expressed his enthusiastic support for the trail movement. The Mayor then gallantly escorted the travelers all the way through the village to the Bellwood village limits. In Bellwood the group observed that the village had been working hard to clean up the Path and had installed Illinois Prairie Path logo signs in anticipation of major improvements scheduled for next year by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Then the adventurers proceeded through Hillside (where the detour at Mannheim is now well marked) and through Berkeley picking up new recruits en route to the first official stop at Spring Road in Elmhurst, where Keith Olson and the Great Western Prairie stewards had set up a table and were prepared to lead tours of their beautiful prairie. State Senator Dan Cronin (R-39) was on hand to congratulate Mike and Kandee; he promised to support projects such as the Salt Creek Trail, which will be a part of the Grand Illinois Trail System some day. In Villa Park the group noted with appreciation the two beautifully preserved Chicago, Aurora and Elgin railroad stations now on the National Register of Historic Places, and in Lombard they admired the Finley Road bridge built by the village for the Illinois Prairie Path. It was here that Mike spoke to a very young boy who had been riding his bike proudly with the group from First Avenue, Maywood. "Does your mother know you're with us?" asked Mike. "Well, no," replied the youngster, who was obviously ready to ride the whole 22 miles. "You've come a long way," said Mike, "but your mother will be worried so you had better go home now." The boy reluctantly agreed and turned around to pedal home, but his eyes were shining because he had proved he shared Mike and Kandee's adventurous spirit.

Another notable adventurer was the 19-year-old runner from Carol Stream, Glenbard North graduate Mitch Isaac, who ran all the way from First Avenue to Reed-Keppler Park, just four miles short of a marathon. "I wanted to show my support for trails," he said at the finish.

The next stop was Prairie Path Park in Glen Ellyn where the Glen Ellyn Park District had set up its portable bandshell and public address system. Joining forces to double their impact were the sponsors of two events observed nationwide on June 1, National Trails Day and Stand for Children. In attendance were representatives of the village, the park district, the Glen Ellyn Library, School Districts 41, 87, and 89, and The Illinois Prairie Path; also present were Girl Scouts planting a tree, an eighth grader speaking on ways to help our children, a group of children singing patriotic and well-loved songs, and some sixty appreciative local residents. Village Trustee Vicky Hase read proclamations recognizing the two events on behalf of President Demling and the village board. The speakers for Stand for Children emphasized the importance of cooperation among government agencies and citizens in providing a secure future for our children in an uncertain and changing world. Cooperation as it applies to trial-building was also Jean Mooring's theme when she introduced Mike and Kandee for brief remarks.

Then the grand adventurers headed off to Wheaton as a few raindrops began to fall. By the time they reached Volunteer Park and the adjacent PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) parking lot it was raining pretty hard but spirits remained high. In the event of a real cloudburst North Face had provided a tent they could have squeezed into, and toilet facilities had been made available to them in the PADS building. Food and services were donated to the travelers by various businesses along the way: Duke of Oil, Maywood (parking lot and restroom); Stemple's Cyclery, Elmhurst, Pro Bikes and Likes, Glen Ellyn, Midwest Cyclery, Wheaton (bicycle repair); Water One, (water cooler); Front Street Cocina, Wheaton (chips and salsa); Convenient/Subway, Wheaton (sandwich discount); North Face, Oak Brook (tent and Power Bars); PADS (parking lot and restroom).

City council member Linda Johnson read a Trails Day proclamation on behalf of the city. After lunch and a bit of picture-taking (one newspaper photographer and one independent photo-journalist accompanied the group the whole day), it was time to push on to West Chicago. Everyone made it to Reed-Keppler Park although some of the equestrians including Kandee Haertel missed the very new (finished the day before!) IPP Geneva Spur connection at County Farm Road and lost time wandering on the IPP Elgin Branch before they found their way. The rain did some good though, because it helped pack down the newly laid limestone screenings along the north side of Geneva Road to the Winfield Road crossing light.

The Grand Celebration was a smash. It was held in a spacious, flower-bedecked hall provided by the West Chicago Park District and located next to the Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur and the Jack T. Knuepfer Bridge. The spanking new portable stage was donated for the day by the Elmhurst Park District and music was provided by the Retired Rhythm Rascals from the Glen Ellyn Park District. Besides hundreds of trail fans the audience included many state and local government leaders: Rep. Tom Johnson (R-50) West Chicago; DuPage County Board members Dean Westrom (R-West Chicago) and Roger Kotecki (R-Glen Ellyn); Rae Rupp Srch, president of the Village of Villa Park; Norm Smalley, Elmhurst Park District commissioner; Bill Brauer, West Chicago Park District commissioner; and Judge Mike Galasso, 18th Judicial Circuit. Some longtime friends of the Illinois Prairie Path who rode with Mike were Craig Williams, bicycle coordinator for the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Bob Thornberry of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Leading the speakers was Master of Ceremonies David Tate, Illinois Prairie Path membership chair, who exemplifies the ideal trails advocate as avid bicyclist and hiker, enthusiastic trail worker and happy homeowner (he and his wife Benna bought their house because it adjoins the Prairie Path).

Steve Lakics, Mayor of the City of West Chicago, took the microphone next to welcome everyone to his hospitable city. He introduced, to loud applause, the Grand Adventurers Mike Ulm and Kandee Haertel together with Paul Aeschleman, president of The Illinois Prairie Path. Kandee joked that on their long trip it rained every time Mike got on his bike. "He should hire himself out as a rainmaker to those drought-stricken farmers in Texas," said she. Mike said that the best part of their trip was the many friendly people they met. Following him was Tom Flattery, director of the Office of Realty and Environmental Planning, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, who brought along from Springfield a large map of the proposed Grand Illinois Trail. He also presented to Jean and Paul Mooring a handsome proclamation signed by Governor Jim Edgar and bearing the seal of the State of Illinois declaring June 1, 1996, Illinois Trails Day.

Jean Mooring gave a brief but heartfelt statement on behalf of all trail users thanking government agencies at all levels, from local to federal, for working with citizens to build the wonderful trail system we enjoy today and urging them to keep up the good work. "It's taken thirty-three years to complete the Illinois Prairie Path in DuPage and Kane Counties, and the Path is still not finished in Cook though that may happen next year," said she. "If we want to build the Grand Illinois Trail by the year 2000, we'd better get moving!" Much applause.

Next on the program was DuPage County Board Chairman Gayle Franzen. He introduced his friend and mentor, former Chairman Jack Knuepfer, for whom the nearby suspension bridge over the Union Pacific and Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroads had just been named by the DuPage County Board. Everyone admired the handsome bronze plaque to be installed near the bridge. Also on the platform were two former Kane County Board chairmen who are staunch trail advocates, Philip Elfstrom and Frank Miller. Phil, the father of the beautiful Fox River Trail, brought down the house with the funniest speech of the day. He compared DuPage County's little "cricks" the Salt Crick and the DuPage Crick, to Kane County's "real river", the majestic Fox. He explained that Kane County has many nice bridges carrying the trail over its real river, and so Jack Knuepfer in DuPage, not to be outdone, wanted a big beautiful bridge too. Without a real river Jack kept looking around to find something to build his bridge over and finally he found it: "about a hundred railroad tracks" in West Chicago that were almost as hard for a trail to cross as a river, and that's where he built his bridge. Jack had to respond in defense of his beloved DuPage County as the audience roared. The unspoken truth was that the Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur would never have been completed without Jack Knuepfer's bridge.

"That's a hard act to follow," laughed Mike Formento chairman of the DuPage County Board Transportation Committee, who had been asked to preside over the Grand Opening of the Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur. He said that the successful completion of this nine-mile trail, a major trail in its own right, is due to the cooperative effort of seven agencies: the DuPage County Division of Transportation, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Commonwealth Edison Company, the City of West Chicago, the DuPage Airport, the City of Geneva, and the Kane County Forest Preserve District. Then he asked representatives of the two lead agencies who are both longtime trail advocates, Chuck Tokarski, director of the DuPage County Division of Transportation, and Jon Duerr, superintendent of field services for the Kane County Forest Preserve District, to unveil the new sign, donated by The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation. The handsome sign displays the logos of the seven cooperating agencies. The audience applauded warmly to show its approval.

Concluding the ceremonies, David Tate introduced the committee that had planned the event, and then Dave Thomas, director of the West Chicago Park District, invited everyone to watch the installation of the sign, visit the bridge, enjoy cake and punch, and view the many interesting exhibits ringing the room. It was an extraordinary day and a magical milestone in the history of trails in Illinois.

The organizing committee members were Jean and Paul Mooring of The Illinois Prairie Path, Connie Schmidt of Trail Riders of DuPage, Sue Ferguson of the Conservation Foundation of DuPage county Trails Project, and Dave Thomas. With energy, efficiency, and unfailing tact, Connie coordinated the publicity in cooperation with DuPage County Board Chairman Gayle Franzen's public relations office and recruited some twenty environmental and outdoor recreation organizations to sponsor booths and/or cakes (and help boost attendance); and she recruited riders of old-fashioned bicycles from the Chicago Bicycle Museum to entertain the crowd. She found tables at the DuPage County Election Commission and had them transported to the site courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. She also acted as official hostess at the party.

Sue Ferguson, design consultant, had the idea of serving punch and sheet cakes decorated with the logos of the various sponsoring organizations (those that donated cakes). The cakes were displayed on tables flanking a lovely ice sculpture (also Sue's idea), shaped like the arch of the Jack T. Knuepfer Bridge for a very elegant look. Sue decorated the portable stage (generously donated for the day by the Elmhurst Park District) with terra cotta pots of flowers and augmented them with more flowers and shrubs grown by the West Chicago Park District. She also provided colorful balloons, ribbons, and sparkling white table covers and skirts, which gave a bright and festive look to the 5000-square-foot hall.

Jean Mooring selected and recruited the speakers and provided the general plan for the Celebration: Purpose--To thank government leaders at all levels for the wonderful trail system we enjoy today and to urge them to continue improving it; Location--Reed-Keppler Park in West Chicago; Main Events--Return of the Grand Illinois Trail Adventurers, Naming of the Jack T. Knuepfer Bridge, and the Grand Opening of the Geneva Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path. She sent out announcements of the National Trails Day events to some eighty environmental and trail related organizations. She commissioned Hart Design Co. of Wheaton to create the striking Geneva Spur sign and suggested the wording of the bronze plaque to be made and installed next to the bridge by the DuPage County Division of Transportation. She also arranged for the Glen Ellyn Park District's Retired Rhythm Rascals to play their foot-tapping Golden Oldies music.

Paul Mooring attended all but one of the planning meetings, devised the program for the Celebration (copy enclosed), made the colorful street signs directing visitors to Reed-Keppler Park, delivered IPP logo signs to West Chicago, Bellwood, and Hillside, printed on his computer letters, speeches, and resolutions drafted by Jean and later presented by her to various governmental agencies, and generally kept her focused on the task at hand.

"Guardian angel" of the event was Dave Thomas, director of the West Chicago Park District, who was ably assisted by Jesse Felix; superintendent of parks, and the entire park district staff. The park district provided insurance, indispensable for an event of this size, and donated the use of its spacious maintenance building, which had to be cleaned and polished and decorated inside and out with flowers and shrubs from the park district greenhouse/nursery. Park district employees (after the ceremony and in the rain) installed the new Geneva Spur sign at the foot of the ramp east of the Jack T. Knuepfer Bridge. Dave participated generously in the entire lengthy planning process, offered excellent advice on ways to make the Celebration go more smoothly, and never lost his cool or sense of humor.

REPORTS ON SPRING CLEANUP

Bellwood. Susan Wisniewski

"Soon after we began we were joined by Mayor Lemm, several village trustees, and a reporter. When I told Mayor Lemm that I had brought OJ and doughnuts provided by our organization, he offered to reimburse me for it and did. We cleaned up from Mannheim to beyond Eastern from 9:00 to 11:30; and afterwards the mayor bought us all pizza, ordered from Nick's, a local restaurant."

Elmhurst, Jean Korleski, Volunteer Coordinator, Elmhurst Park District

Lombard, Connie Sichrovsky, Communications and Marketing Specialist, Village of Lombard

Glen Ellyn. Jean Mooring

Wheaton, Winfield, West Chicago, and Wayne. David Tate

Wheaton.

Winfield.

West Chicago.

"The Prairie Path Elgin Branch behind Oliver Square Shopping Center, between North Avenue and Illinois Rte. 59, was cleaned by both the DuPage DOT and the shopping center's maintenance firm, The Sweeping Doctor. As regular trail users know all too well, this section of the Path behind the Oliver Square Shopping Center has been the most litter-plagued section of the 55-mile trail for several years. Early this spring the DuPage County DOT picked up fifty 30-gallon bags of wind-blown litter on the Path behind the shopping center. In addition, at The Illinois Prairie Path's request, the shopping center's manager, Mid-America Asset Management Company, had a walk-through behind the shopping center with The Sweeping Doctor. Mid-America put The Sweeping Doctor 'on notice' regarding wind-blown litter on the Path from the shopping center, and these parties have agreed that litter on the Path must be picked up twice a week.

Wayne.

Warrenville, Bob and Maureen Rawls.

"This year we were fortunate to have a very enthusiastic Brownie Troop 305 from St. Irene's School. Leaders Donna Coleman, Donna Bovine, Iona Sirotek and Sue Cirock were joined by Brownies Suzy Johnson, Elizabeth Marshall, Meagan Rawls, Meghan Mitchell, Cindy Pratcher, Jacqueline Sirotek, Kristine Coleman, Kristine Bovine, Jenny Cirock and Beth Rybarski to clean the Path. Other individuals joining the cleanup included Kelly and Katie Coleman and Michael, Laura, and Maureen Rawls.

"The day started-out promising with sunshine but quickly turned to high winds, rain, and tornado warnings. The Brownies, however, were not to be denied their opportunity to fulfill their duty and proceeded to fill fifteen plastic garbage bags with trash. For her effort each Troop 305 Brownie received an Illinois Prairie Path patch to display proudly on her Brownie vest."

BATAVIA SPUR CONSTRUCTION

David Tate sends the following report:

"The construction along the Batavia spur is an AT&T project. The company is laying fiber optic cable under the Path and plans to complete the work in three sections. The first section, between Kirk Road and Butterfield Road, is expected to be completed in June. Construction will then begin on the second section between Butterfield Road and Bilter Road. Mike Pruyn, director of public relations for AT&T assures us that if the weather cooperates, the final Section between Hart Road and Kirk Road will be completed by August 2. Then back to smooth bicycling!"

What is ISTEA (and Why Do We Need It)?

By: Al Sturges

What exactly is it we're supporting?

• A full-time state bicycle coordinator
• The IDOT "Routine Accommodations" policy
• Metro area and local bicycle/pedestrian plans
• Public (bicyclist) participation in plans

The answer --- without ISTEA, we probably wouldn't have any of the above. ISTEA has created a culture, at least in Illinois, where bicyclists have the opportunity to interact with public officials to let them know what we want.

Before ISTEA, bicycle and pedestrian planning was largely done by parks and recreation departments. So, facilities tended to be loop trails developed for recreational purposes.

Unfortunately, local planners and officials often have very limited experience with bicycling and may be unaware of the problems facing bicyclists. The public participation specified under ISTEA has brought the knowledge of peoplc who actually ride bikes into the process.

Because of this, many of the bike/ped plans developed under ISTEA are better at addressing the needs and challenges facing bicyclists who ride on busy roads for transportation purposes. In addition, ISTEA still provides resources for trails along greenways, railroad rights-of-way and other corridors with limited intersections.

Still not convinced?

Transportation money programmed for bicycle projects in the entire country was $10 million during the 10 years prior to ISTEA. Since ISTEA, about $110 million has been funded in Illinois alone.

Okay, we need more ISTEA -- so what can I do?

   The Honorable ________________________
   United States House of Representatives
   Washington, DC 20515

Thank them for the 1991 ISTEA legislation and tell them to please protect the pro-bike sections of ISTEA, which have benefitted everyone by reducing road congestion, protecting air quality and conserving energy. For a list of ISTEA-funded projects in Lipinski's and Weller's districts, call (708) 481-3429 or send e-mail to AlbikeIL@aol.com.

Editor's note: The above article is reprinted from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation NEWS, Volume 11, Number 3, June/July 1996. Continued ISTEA funding is so important that we recommend sending letters not only to Reps. Lipinski and Weller but also to your own congressperson, whether or not he/she is a member of the House Transportation Committee.

WEST CHICAGO PRAIRIE EVENTS

Saturday, July 20, 1996
Butterfly Trip. Butterfly expert Doug Taron will lead this trip. The main purpose is to see and learn about the butterflies of our Prairie. We will also see many blooming flowers.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.

Saturday, August 17, 1996
Field Trip. Good displays of Prairie Dock, False Dragonhead, Nodding Onion, Tall Coreopsis, Prairie Sunflower, Blazing Star, and many others.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.

Saturday, September 7, 1996
Seed Collection. General seed collection, mostly forbs.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.

Sunday, September 22, 1996
Field Trip. Good displays of Asters (five species), Goldenrods (four species), Bottle Gentian and tall grasses in seed.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.

Sunday, September 22, 1996
Seed Collection. General seed collection, mostly forbs.
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

All events start from the West Chicago Prairie parking lot located on the east side of Industrial Drive between Wester and Downs. Information: Mel Hoff, (630) 393-4715, or JoAnn Monge, (630) 961-2041, day or evening. Special trips can be arranged for groups.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES, rain or shine

Saturday, July 20, 1996
Work Day. Move display case stand from Industrial Drive on Geneva Spur to Bennett Park, Geneva. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Members' Room, Wheaton (Delles Road north of Roosevelt).
Leader: Dick Wilson (847) 299-7882 (from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

Sunday, August 11, 1996
Bike Ride, round trip on Aurora Branch, Fox River Trail, and Geneva Spur. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Volunteer Park, Wheaton (Liberty at Carlton).
Leader: Paul Aeschleman (708) 848-6023.

Saturday, August 17, 1996
Prairie Work Day to remove brush and alien plants at junction of IPP and Great Western Trail. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Prince Crossing Road and Great Western Trail.
Leader: Dick Wilson: (847) 299-7882 (8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Saturday, September 21, 1996
Great Western Prairie Work Day and Festival. Begins at 9:00 a.m. at Berkley Ave. and IPP, Elmhurst.
Leader: Keith Olson (630) 834-7357

Saturdays, October 19, November 16, 1996
Regular Work Days at Great Western Prairie, Elmhurst. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Berkley Ave. and IPP, Elmhurst.
Leader: Keith Olson (630) 834-7357.

MEMBERSHIP RATES: Individual $20
                      Family $20
     Organization/Supporting $30
                  Sustaining $50
                      Patron $100
                    Lifetime $500

       Illinois Prairie Path
       P.O. Box 1086
       Wheaton, Illinois 60189