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<DIV>Below is the latest article (from this past Friday) from Des Plaines Journal, regarding the River Trail. The article notes "the possibility of a horseback riding trail" (that's what would make the trail 22 feet wide, rather than just 12 feet). Hope we can keep it to the less wide trail ...</DIV>
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<DIV>Last week I went to part of the forest preserve trail through Campground Road Woods, to take measurements of the current trail (at 10 points randomly selected). The trail width currently ranges from 7 to 13 feet (liberal range ... as edges of trail aren't really ridable as they are filled with ruts and hills). I also took measurements across the trail from tree to tree at those spots. It ranged from 12 feet to a maximum of one point where is was 22 feet from tree to tree, but most locations it was 13 to 15 feet.</DIV>
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<DIV>Althought I didn't count the trees that would be needed to be removed in any section yet (I suppose I could check a random marked off 22 ft wide x 10 foot length area and count all trees in that area ... for extrapolation purposes), a trail of 22 feet wide would certainly cause many trees to be removed, some up to 2 1/2 foot in diameter or more. Benjamin Cox, of Friends of the Forest Preserves, is going to visit the area with me soon, so he can have a better idea of the situation. Hopefully the trail can be kept to 12 feet wide ... Alan</DIV>
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<DIV><A href="http://www.journal-topics.com/dp/08/dp080328.6.html" target=_blank>http://www.journal-topics.com/dp/08/dp080328.6.html</A></DIV>
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<P class=date>THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2008</P>
<H1>Federal Grant Helps Pave Way To Improved Trails</H1>
<P class=copy>By TROY BRUZEWSKI
<P class=copy>Journal Reporter</P>
<P class=copy>Improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail between Golf Road and Touhy Avenue could be completed by the end of 2009.
<P class=copy>Des Plaines received a federal Congestion Mitigation for Air Quality grant in the amount of $1,048,000 for the improvements, which are components of the Des Plaines Riverwalk project. The <FONT size=4>money will be used for amenities like signs, lighting and clearing brush and trees.</FONT> City Engineer Tim Oakley said the grant program is an effort to try and lower emissions from vehicles.
<P class=copy>"It focuses on alternative modes for transportation," Oakley said. "Trying to get people out of their cars and using other forms of transportation like walking or riding a bike." Des Plaines will pay $209,600 in matching funds.
<P class=copy>The trail segments lie within the jurisdiction of the Forest Preserve Dist. of Cook County (FPDCC), which recently approved an intergovernmental agreement with Des Plaines for the project.
<P class=copy>"We looked at what it would take to improve the trail systems throughout Des Plaines," Oakley said. "We are going to improve the trail, so it can be multi-purpose. Right now it's dirt and mud with a few trees that fell down and are blocking the path."
<P class=copy><FONT size=5>Other improvements include a crushed limestone surface suitable for running or bicycling, and the possibility of having a horseback-riding path along side. </FONT>
<P class=copy>After receiving permission from the FPDCC earlier this month, the city's next step is accepting bids for consultative services on design and civil engineering.
<P class=copy>Oakley said his office currently is reviewing submitted bids and should be making a recommendation to City Council in April.
<P class=copy>The project could be completed by the end of 2009. Oakley said.
<P class=copy>"Because these are federal funds, there are a lot of requirements for the grant, which is administered by IDOT (Illinois Dept. of Transportation," Oakley said. "It's usually a 12-month process, but after that we get a bidder awarded and it will be about a year to complete. A full construction year in 2009 will get it done."
<P class=copy>After completion, the trail will be maintained by the forest preserve district.</P></DIV></WMFILTERED></DIV>
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<DIV class=signature id=signature>--<BR>Alan B. Anderson <BR>casresearch@comcast.net <BR>Des Plaines, Cook Co.</DIV></body></html>