EFFINGHAM — Work has begun on a major expansion of TREC trail as board members close in on reaching the fundraising goal for the project.
The 2,600-foot trail expansion will complete the approximately 2-mile loop around the new 53-acre Nature Park along the Little Wabash River. TREC (Trail Recreation Effingham County) was awarded a matching grant, overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to construct 1,400 feet of the expansion; however, more money was needed to complete the remaining portion. Rather than wait two or three years to pursue another government grant — and to save significant expense — the TREC Board opted to raise the money through private funding needed to complete the project now. They have nearly reached their $75,000 goal.
“We’re close enough that we’re going ahead with it,” said TREC Board President Mo Dust. “Because there’s so much upside in doing it, we save two or three years of time. It’s a lot cheaper to do now if they do it all at the same time, rather than have to make the trip back into the park. The upside is too big to pass this up.”
Plans are to finish the project this summer. Once it is finished, Dust said people will be able to walk to the Nature Park, continue walking, and make a full loop back to the main trail.
Trail users can access the Nature Park from the Outer Belt West trailhead parking lot in Effingham. Take Calico Trail for a quarter of a mile before turning left and crossing the river bridge. On the other side of the bridge, to the right, is the new trail leading to the Nature Park. The Nature Park features a shaded area with picnic tables and tree swings, offering a spot for a family outing.
Dust credits community support for enabling the loop to be completed and said the board appreciates the generosity. Having spent several hours at the Nature Park in the past couple of weeks with volunteers, Dust has seen firsthand the interest in it.
“You see families out there taking a picnic lunch, and the kids will play on the sandbar there by the river. It is really gratifying to see the community support it and use it,” he said.
If you would like to support the trail expansion, donations made out to “Trail Recreation Effingham County” may be mailed to TREC, P.O. Box 353, Effingham, IL 62401, or dropped off at Crossroads Bank, 2000 S. Banker St., in Effingham. For questions about supporting the TREC trail expansion, call Mo Dust at 309-339-5915.