Glen Carbon Heritage Bike Trail Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Trail The Glen Carbon Heritage Trail was dedicated to Ronald J. Foster Sr. in 1991 in recognition of his meritorious service to the Village of Glen Carbon as Trustee from 1965 to 1981 and Mayor 1981 to 2001. His dedication and outstanding contributions to municipal government covered a span of three decades and will be forever remembered.  The Ronald J. Foster Sr. Glen Carbon Heritage Trail will perpetuate the Village's cultural heritage along with our natural recreational and environmental resources for present and future generations. The trail has developed into a real jewel for all to enjoy.

The trail features 11 miles in length with Mile/kilometer markers, oil and chip merimac gravel surface, parking areas, trail maps, historical markers, restored prairie areas, and restrooms along with water facilities.

Activities: Walking, Jogging, Biking, Cross Country Skiing, Wheelchair Accessible, Dogs permitted on leash -- (Please curb your pets.)

Hours: Dawn to dusk all year round.

Nearby Communities: Troy, Edwardsville, Maryville, Southern Illinois University Campus at Edwardsville (SIUE).


For more information about our bike trails, please visit Madison County Transit Trails.  MCT has converted over 75 miles of rail corridors into user-friendly bikeways and walking trails, which also links with its transit system. It is the only bike system in the country to create such an integrated transportation system. MCT has equipped all of its buses with bike racks to provide accessible connections between the MCT bikeway and bus systems.

Glen Carbon Parks Residents of Glen Carbon have a variety of options when finding places to spend time with their family and friends, enjoy group gatherings or watch a sporting event. Three parks in the Village offer relaxing locations to enjoy just about any activity. Groups wanting to hold special functions and reserve areas in any of the parks need to obtain a form from Village Hall or click here for the on-line form, complete it and submit it to Public Works for approval.
	Citizen Park Citizen Park is located behind Fire Station #1 and off Main Street and Daenzer Avenue in Old Town. It serves as the entrance point for the Ronald J. Foster Heritage Bike Trail. Citizen Park serves primarily as a Village sports facility. It boasts the following features: Lighted baseball field Concession stands Comfort stations Bleacher seating Parking area beyond right center field fence line

Miner Park

Miner Park is located in Old Town, and is the Village's true family picnic area. Spread out over several acres, the park provides users with a variety of recreational activities for the young to the old. Whether it's a picnic with lots of people around or you just want some quiet solitude, Miner Park will meet your needs with the following features:

Comfort stations Barbecue grills Passive areas to view wildlife Variety of playground equipment Sheltered pavilions Band stand for special events Baseball fields Parking  Basketball

Village Hall Park

Village Hall Park is a 3 acre facility located directly behind the Village Hall at 151 North Main Street. This park is the primary sporting and recreational complex within Glen Carbon. Among its many attractions the park boasts a Little Folks Playground constructed at the urging of Village moms that had older children in league baseball activities. A "Bright Ideas" grant from Illinois Power made it possible for young children to play in a safe area during sporting and non-sporting events. Village Park is a primary gathering area for activities within the area. Its host of services include:

	Lighted baseball field Concession stand Comfort stations Little folks playground Sheltered pavilions

 

Greenspace North Greenspace North is a 34 acre conservation area that includes a hiking and bike trail immediately to the west and across the street from the Glen Carbon Village Hall, 151 N. Main Street. The park features public parking, access to the Madison County Transit Nickel Plate Bike Trail as well as a beautiful nature walk within its boundaries. The Park was officially dedicated in October 2007.

Greenspace East
If you like nature, walking and a whole lot of clean, fresh air you may do yourself well to venture over to Glen Carbon’s more easterly side. In a much-anticipated development, the Village has announced the completion of Phase I of its Green Space East Recreational Trails Project — by far the largest and most significant portion of the development. The project spreads over a rolling, picturesque 80 acres in an area just west of Old Troy Road, east of Route 159 and in relatively close proximity to South Trace Court and the Cottonwood area. Main access points include trails at the end of South Trace Road and off the Ronald Foster Heritage Bike Trail near Oaklawn Drive. The area is designed strictly for walking, jogging or hiking — bicycling is prohibited — and includes various covered picnic table stations and approximately 9,500 feet of quality, asphalt-covered trails.