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The Village of Glen Carbon Heritage Bike Trail

Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Trail

Click to open detailed map.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.

Click map to open detailed Adobe Reader format map of bike trail.

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 at Citizen & Miner Parks along with water facilities.

Trail Update: The Ronald J. Foster Bike Trail is now open for use from the Silver Creek Waterway to Illinois Route 4. This 3 mile section has been completed with asphalt surface through the cooperation of the Madison County Transit District. Once the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has completed final work at the intersection of Illinois Route 4, users may continue east along an additional mile of trail which leads into a new park constructed by the Village of Marine.

The Trail will then extend 15 miles.

The Silver Creek Railroad tressel that extends over the waterway is 340 feet long and crosses over the creek bed about 50-75 feet high. The latest extension of the bike trail is due to grants from the Metro-East Park and Recreation District as well as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

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).

JoggingDescription: The original 3.2 mile Illinois Central passage was the first bike trail section of many to be encompassed by the "Heritage Trail" in 1991. Citizen's Park located behind Fire Station #1 off Main Street (Daenzer Avenue) in Old Town serves as the entrance point for the west trail head of the Heritage Bike Trail. A few blocks away is Miner Park. In both park locations trail users can find comfort stations and parking areas. Miner Park also offers picnic and other recreational facilities. The outstanding landmark in Old Town Glen Carbon is the covered bridge. The trail is currently being extended 3.5 miles further eastward for a total length of 6.7 miles.

BikingThe trail follows the Old Illinois Central Railroad right-of-way from Old Town up through a natural passage in the bluffs to the Heritage Trail Prairie Way through active farming areas on top of the bluffs. The trail currently ends just east of the 340 foot Old Silver Creek Railroad Bridge. Trail Map displays are at trail entry/exit points. In addition to the parking areas at the west end of the trail, there are parking lots and rest areas at Mont Station (3.5 mile trail point) and at Kuhn Station (6.7 mile trail point). Drinking water facilities are also available at the Mont Station Rest Area. The Heritage Trail provides an opportunity for bikers, joggers and walkers to enjoy recreation in a natural setting.

WalkingHistorical markers along the trail detail highlights of the old days in the Village of Glen Carbon. Most often, these are reminiscent of the railroading and coal mining "boomdays". Several restored prairies exist along the trail. There are 8 timber trestle bridges ranging up to 40 feet high where the trail criss-crosses Judy Creek as it winds up through the bluffs. The trail also has bridges across Interstate I-270, I-55 and Silver Creek.. In addition, there is a 150 foot tunnel under State Route 159 and a 60 foot tunnel under Old Troy Road.

Walking WestiesHistory: The Ronald J. Foster Sr. Heritage Trail was developed along the old abandoned Illinois Central (IC) railroad right-of-way. In earlier days, the Illinois Central Railroad was an integral part of the Village of Glen Carbon and its local coal mining operations. The railroad provided transportation for local residents to surrounding areas. At one time, three railroads ran through historic Old Town in the heart of the Village. One of these railroad right-of-ways, the Illinois Central, is now the Heritage Trail. The other two, the Nickel Plate Road and the L&M Line, are now abandoned and have been converted to Rails-to-Trails Corridors. Another Rails-to-Trails Corridor, along the old Illinois terminal right-of-way, crosses the Heritage Trail at Mont Station.

White House Millenium Trail500 Trails-One Great IdeaRecognition: The Glen Carbon Heritage Trail was one of the first 500 Rail-to-Trail conversions in the United States. In the year 2000 the Heritage Trail was designated as a Community Millenium Trail through the national initiative of the White House Millenium Council. In August 2001, the Heritage Trail was the Rails-to-Trails Website featured trail of the month. The Glen Carbon Heritage Trail provides an excellent example of how one local community can expand its local trail into a regional trail network that benefits the entire region.

Seniors WalkingConnecting Trails: In September 2001, The Heritage Trail connects to the new Madison County Transit (MCT) Nickle Plate Bike Trail in the Village's "Old Town" area. This trail link on the west end of the Heritage Trail provides a connection into Edwardsville and the SIUE Campus by the interconnecting MCT Nature Trail. A future MCT Schoolhouse Connector trail link at Mont Station will also provide bike trail interconnection between the Heritage Trail, Edwardsville, Troy, Maryville, Collinsville, Horseshoe Lake State Park and Granite City via the MCT Old Schoolhouse Trail. When completed, these MCT connections will enable users of the Glen Carbon Heritage Trail to access some 50 - 70 miles of bike paths in the surrounding area.

Kids PlayCommunity Support: Community involvement has been integral to the Heritage Trail's success. The Glen Carbon Kiwanis Club assisted with the trail's initial construction and created a bluebird trail along the old railroad. Vocational classes from the Collinsville Vocational Area Center constructed the historical and trail map display structures featured along the trail. Wooden benches have been installed by several Eagle Scout projects. Various community groups utilize the trail for Bike-A-Thon events along with other related activities throughout the year.

Bike IllinoisFunding: The Heritage trail right-of-way acquisition and bike trail development was funded by the Village of Glen Carbon and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In 1991, the Village received a 50% matching grant under the newly established DNR Bike Path Grant Program. In 1998, the Village was awarded an Acquisition Grant and subsequently in 1999 a Development Grant for a trail extension under the DNR Bike Path Grant Program. Currently, the Village has a pending Bike Path development application to extend the Heritage Trail further east across the Silver Creek Bridge.

BikersLegacy: 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.

Charles Juneau, Leroy Harris, Ronald Foster, William KleffmanTrail Founders: William I. Kleffman, Village Treasurer; Leroy Harris, Historian; Charles E. Juneau, P.E., Juneau Associates, Inc. (1991 Trail Dedication Photo, Left to Right, Charles Juneau, Leroy Harris, Ronald Foster Sr., William Kleffman)

Mapping by: Juneau Associates., P.C., 100 North Research Drive, Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

For more information about bike trails visit the following interesting web sites:

Madison County Transit BikewayMCT Trails Madison County Transit (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.

 

TrailnetTrailnet Trailnet is an organization dedicated to creating multi-use recreational trails, conserving greenways, and encouraging walking and bicycling for recreation and transportation in the St. Louis Metropolitan region of Missouri and Illinois

 

TrailLinkTrailLink TrailLink.com is a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy initiative dedicated to providing detailed, up to date information on trail access, services and activities.

 

Rails To TrailsRails To Trails Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is an organization that has acquired over 650 miles of corridor since 1993 through its Trail Conservancy program.

 

Millenium TrailsMillennium Trails Millennium Trails is a national initiative of the White House Millennium Council, Department of Transportation, Rail-to-Trails Conservancy, the American Hiking Society, and the National Endowment for the Arts, that recognizes, promotes and stimulates the creation of trails to "Honor the Past and Imagine the Future" as part of America's legacy for the new millennium.