DECEMBER 2009 TRAIL NEWS

 

HAPPY WINTER HOLIDAYS FROM FLORIDA

ITC HAS A BUSY 2010 COMING UP:  #1 – CALENDAR OF EVENTS ON THE GRAND ILLIOIS TRAIL #2.   APPLICATION FOR TOURISM BROCHURE FOR ROUTE 66 & #3 – AN INTER-ACTIVE WEB SITE WITH TRAIL INFORMATION which will be undertaken by Board Member Ray Hoven from American Bike Trails.  Bev will need your help on these projects.  Let me know how you can help or what you can do.    

 

ITC ACTIONS IN A VERY BUSY NOVEMBER INCLUDE:

·         November 1 - Created and Distributed 213 issues of TRAIL NEWS to ITC MEMBERS.  Can you  encourage a friend to become a member.  This will help us continue our mission to assist communities to build, connect and maintain more recreation trails for all of us.

·         November 2 – Received a document from Granddaughter Kelly Sobiek in Hamond, Indiana about plans for Trails in their community.  Kelly can ride her bicycle from Indiana to Illinois on Trails and roads. YEAH.

·         November 2 – Received e-mail from Rory Robinson thanking Bev for sending him November TRAIL NEWS.

·         November 2 – Received e-mail from Friends of the Hennepin Canal Chairman, Gary Wagle thanking Bev for forwarding him comments from a person who had taken a ride on the Hennepin Canal and asked how they managed to keep their end of the trail so beautiful.  He was comparing it to the I & M Canal.  OOPS.

·         November 3 – Received e-mail from Jim McFarland saying that he missed Bev’s participation in Conservation Congress.  Hopefully Bev can get back in CC when she returns from Florida in spring.

·         November 4 – Responded to a letter from IDOT Plan Engineer regarding improvements on Illinois Route 23 in DeKalb.  Bev forwarded the information to DeKalb Planning so they would be aware if this roadwork.

·         November 4 – Received a forward from Dick Westfall re “Request for US State Trail Legislation”   Information from Jennifer Wampler, Trails Coordinator in Richmond, Virginia indicated the existence of legislation authorizing their agency to establish, maintain, protect and regulate a statewide system of trails, but no funding attached.  SO SAD.  The document indicates that a Statewide System of Trails shall be composed of Scenic Trails, Recreation Trails and Connecting Trails for walkers, horses and bicycle use.  YEAH.

·         November 6 – Received e-mail that blasted IDOT regarding refusal of a request to provide a road crossing in North Aurora.  BEV ALWAYS LOOKS FOR THE REST OF THE STORY and contacted Ed Barsotti regarding this issue.  Ed indicated to Bev in a phone call that THIS WAS NOT A CONCERN.  Before you act, be sure to check out all the details.

·         November 8 – ITC ANNUAL BOARD MEETING took place in Normal at the Ecology Action Center.  Goals, Plans, Budget and Projects were approved by six Board Members who attended.  ITC Member Bob Clay attended and shared his thoughts and concerns.  Bev will not be providing a printed ANNUAL REPORT for 08-09 since we need to use funds for the projects planned which are listed above. 

·         November 10 – Received e-mail from Ed Barsotti regarding the North Aurora story.  He shared that it was actually the first grant Application that he wrote for CMAQ as a followup after doing the North Aurora bike plan in 2000.  After winning the grant, it went downill due to the fact that a switchback to the Fox River Trail was not included in the cost estimate.  They then switched the funds to a much less desirable route which Ed says was a poor plan.  Ed would have preferred that North Aurora should have pushed harder for the original plan.  THIS IS THE REST OF THE STORY FROM ONE WHO KNOWS. 

·         November 10 – Received another e-mail “Walking to their deaths” informing us that Chicago area is in 12th place for more pedestrians killed or injured.  COMPLETE STREETS SHOULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

·         November 13 – Received a thank you from Ecology Action Center for a check Bev sent them for the use of their facilities during the ITC Annual Board Meeting.

·         November 16 – Participated in a Conference call for the Grand Illinois Trail Executive Council.  Bev agreed to keep a CALENDAR OF EVENTS on the GRAND ILLINOIS TRAIL that could be used to celebrate the 19th Anniversary of the Grand Illinois Trail.  You can help by sending me Events & Dates in your area.

·         November 16 – Attended a Planning Forum of the I & M. Canal National Heritage Corridor Group.  Four meetings were being held to provide a mission statement for the Corridor Group, Concerns and Guidelines. 

·         November 16 – Received a letter of thanks from IDOT Enginners for our response to their roadway improvement plans in DeKalb.  The letter stated that “The district is aware of the Complete Streets legislation and will continue to include local and regional governments and planning agencies in the planning and design process.”  They encourage local governments to provide bicycle accommodations on municipal streets and dedicated paths on local or private rights of way to provide safe separation of motor vehicles and bicycle traffic. 

·         November 17 – Another response to a roadway improvement in Mendota was provided to IDOT Engineers.

·         November 24 – Forwarded e-mail asking for information about Trails in Peoria to ITC Board Member George Burrier.

·         November 25 – Received e-mail from Ed Barsotti about a newspaper article about “Complete Streets”.

·         November 30 – Received a phone call from ITC Member Helene Savill in Chicago asking Bev to extend her membership due to short funds…ITC WILL ALWAYS EXTEND YOUR MEMBERSHIP IF YOU ASK.

 

ITC BOARD MEMBERS ARE BUSY WORKING FOR YOU:

·         George Burrier from Peoria & Sandy shared a letter they received from the City of Oak Hill, West Virginia in response to the letter they wrote about trails in the area plus a news photo of Sandy & George on the Trail.  They also sent Minutes of the Peoria Trail Advocates Meeting in November.  LOCAL TRAIL GROUPS HELP.  George sent info on the Allen Road Crossing planned by IDOT.  George shared a letter that he sent to Governor Quinn about “Complete Streets Legislation that went into effect July 2008”

·         Bob Hargis from Ohio asked Bev if she got the latest information on Accessibility Guidelins from American Trail which she now has. He shares that he rode the Little Miami Trail in Loveland, Ohio.

·         Bruce Perry from Port Byron had computer problems and missed out on the GIT Conference Call.  He has been working with the Friends of the Hennepin Canal to acquire their 501c3 credentials.  Bev shared copies of documents that ITC filed when we got our 501c3 credentials.  They are also looking to set up a new web site.

·         Diana Cooper – ITC Staff Person from Rockton has videos of the Route 66 Ride, the Long Prairie Trail Poker Run and the Boone County Fair Exhibit.  Now we have one from the Kal-Haven Trail in Michigan.

ITC MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE AND SO VERY SUPPORTIVE….

·         ITC RECEIVED A CHECK FOR $500.00 FROM McHENRY COUNTY BICYCLE CLUB.  THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

·         Bill Bruse from Petersburg thanks Bev for using older formats so everyone can open TRAIL NEWS.

·         Deborah Fagan from DuPage County Planning shares how difficult it is to work with utilities when we use their row for a trail..but COMPROMISE.. is the answer to GETTING THE JOB DONE. She is the BEST.

·         Maurice Gianesin from Rockford plans to attend one of the Planning Meetings on the I & M Canal Corridor

·         June Ground from Mattoon was not able to open November TRAIL NEWS.  Bev will mail her one.

·         Louise Grobl from Naperville called about the status of the Tunnel Hill Trail.  Bev gave her Don Lawrences’ phone number to call and find out first hand.  SURE ENOUGH he called her and she had a fun ride.

·         Mike Incopero from Wheaton laments that there is no way to enlarge TRAIL NEWS font for those who could use larger print for older eyes.  He used a speech feature to have it read to him.  WOW. 

·         Gordon James from Elgin sent Bev a newspaper article “Village celebrates the opening of a bike trail”  about a realignment of the Fox River Trail.  He also shared that he had NO PROBLEM opening Trail News. YIKES.

·         Charlie Johnson from Lisle is back on line. YIPPEE.  He reports that the MCCD PrairieT rail South of Rakow Road in LITH is very nice.  Stearns Rd. detour for IPP Elgin is nearing completion. 

·         Sylvia Kellog from Hinsdale asked Bev for a copy of the DVD of the Route 66 ride.  Address problems occurred but she has it now.  She and Mike attended the I & M Planning Meeting in Lemont.  She also shared minutes from the Nov. 10 BRATS meeting.  Next meeting is Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Wheaton Park Dist. Ctr.

·         Karl Kohlrus from Springfield shared the news that the new 1.5 mile Interurban Trail Loop is open.

·         John Newberry from Seneca sent ITC his new e-mail address.  HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?

·         Chuck Oestrich from Rock Island sent ITC information about the 2010 GITAP (Grand Illinois Trail & Parks Ride) that starts June 13, 2010.  He also sent Bev a list of events on the GIT during 2010.

·         Starved Rock Cycling Club is concerned about the poor condition of the I & M Canal Corridor.

·         Bill Tornow from El Paso also has difficulty opening TRAIL NEWS.  Bev mailed him a copy.

·         Eberhard Veit from Crystal Lake shared minutes from the Nov. 16 McHenry County Bicycle Advocates Meeting.  LOCAL BICYCLE ADVOCATES ARE A BLESSING.  Every community needs one.

·         Terry Witt from Bartlett is another Bicycle Advocate working in his community for trails & bike lanes.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU

·         December 8 – BRATS Meeting @ 7:30 p.m. at the Wheaton Park District Community Center

·         January 15, 2010 – Deadline for Proposals for Eagle Creek Resort operations

·         May & June 2010 – 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the GIT GRAND ILLINOIS TRAIL

·         June 12-13 – TOMRV, QuadCities BC

·         June 13-18, 2010 GITAP RIDE – Contact Chuck Oestrich @ chuckace2@gmail.com for information.

·         June 20 – Ride the River, River Action

·         August – Quad Cities Marathon

 

ITC HAS NEW IDOT REGION 1 CHICAGOLAND BICYCLE MAPS & NEWSLETTERS TO SHARE:  American Trails, CMAP Weekly,  Friends of the Parks in Chicago, Illinois Trail Riders, Trailnet, Natural Land Institute in Rockford, MeHenry County Pedaler, National Park Service, Riffles & Eddies from Boone County Conservation Dist.,  Outdoor Illinois from IDNR and Rails to Trails in Washington DC.

CONTACT ILLINOIS TRAILS CONSERVANCY at www.ILLTrails.com or Bev at bebomoore@aol.com regarding anything mentioned in TRAIL NEWS.  The address until April 1 is 251 Patterson Rd. A-33, Haines City, Florida 33844, the cell phone is 815-289-1024 and Florida land line is 863-419-0365.