The newest segment of DuPage River Trail through Plainfield is now open.
The .75-mile 10-foot wide asphalt trail runs north from Riverview Park at Naperville-Plainfield Road east of Route 59, over a newly-constructed bridge crossing the DuPage River, to a loop turnaround at the Com Ed right-of-way at 143rd Street and Route 59.
The Plainfield Park District will host a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the new section of trail on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m. The ribbon-cutting will take place at Riverview Park. In addition, the Park District will name the newly-constructed bridge for Commissioner John M. Wilson Jr. in recognition of his five terms and almost 30 years of service and contributions to the Plainfield Park District.
When complete, the DuPage River Trail will be a 29-mile regional trail running along the DuPage River from Naperville to Channahon and connecting to the I & M Canal Trail. It is a collaborative effort of the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District, Village of Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook Park District, Village of Plainfield, Plainfield Park District, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, City of Joliet, Joliet Park District, Village of Shorewood, Village of Channahon, Channahon Park District, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
“When fully built-out, the DuPage River Trail will provide a better quality of life, not only for the Plainfield community, but for the entire surrounding region,” said Mike Brann, president of the Plainfield Park District Board of Commissioners.
“The Plainfield Park District has been working with multiple jurisdictions for more than 20 years to complete its portion of the DuPage River Trail,” said Plainfield Park District Executive Director Greg Bott. “We pursue funding for segments as opportunities become available. This segment, with the necessary bridge construction, was a good fit for the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funding when it became available. We were very fortunate to get one of the more difficult sections of trail done at this time.”
The Plainfield Park District received almost $2 million in federal funds for the project. The Plainfield Park District and Village of Plainfield also contributed $270,000 each in local matching funds.
Since a 1995 survey of residents showed bicycle paths as the most desired amenity in the area, the Plainfield Park District has been planning and developing a trail system throughout its boundaries. In 1999, the Park District completed a Plainfield Area Bicycle Plan in cooperation with the Village of Plainfield, City of Joliet, Forest Preserve District of Will County and Plainfield Township. Walking and biking trails continue to be the most important parks and recreation facilities to residents as indicated in the Park District’s most recent community needs assessment for its 2010 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Established in 1966, the Plainfield Park District encompasses all of Plainfield Township including Plainfield and areas of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Joliet, and Romeoville, as well as some unincorporated areas. The Plainfield Park District covers more than 40 square miles and serves a population of more than 100,000 people, making it the 9th largest park district in the state of Illinois based on population served. The Plainfield Park District maintains more than 80 parks comprised of more than 1,500 acres, and seven building sites including the Normantown Trails Equestrian Center, Ottawa Street Pool, and three recreation centers. For more information about the Plainfield Park District, visit www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com.
