News Release
Forest Preserve District Officials Join Local Trail Enthusiasts to Celebrate Important Trail Connection
1.7-mile multipurpose segment completes 19.75-mile North Central DuPage Regional Trail
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Forest Preserve District officials joined representatives from a local bike-and-run advisory committee along a new 1.7-mile section of limestone trail in Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne to celebrate an important connection between the forest preserve’s trails and the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.
The new trail segment marks the completion of the nearly 20-mile North Central DuPage Regional Trail, which spans northern DuPage County and connects the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path on the west to Cook County’s Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village on the east. It includes side paths as well as on-road and off-street trails.
The final segment runs along the west side of Munger Road from Forest Preserve Drive, crosses Army Trail Road, and ends at Smith Road, where it connects to the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.
“Trails are some of the most popular things we have here in DuPage County, 166 miles at the Forest Preserve District alone. But we have so many partners that we have over 250 miles of trails throughout DuPage,” said Forest Preserve District President Daniel Hebreard.
The Forest Preserve District has been working cooperatively with DuPage County, local municipalities, and park districts to implement the North Central Regional Trail for more than 25 years. The DuPage County Division of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation also had a role in its development.
The Forest Preserve District recently received $1.5 million in Surface Transportation Program funds and $152,000 from the federally funded locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program for the construction of this final segment.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Forest Preserve District officials joined representatives from a local bike-and-run advisory committee along a new 1.7-mile section of limestone trail in Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne to celebrate an important connection between the forest preserve’s trails and the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.
The new trail segment marks the completion of the nearly 20-mile North Central DuPage Regional Trail, which spans northern DuPage County and connects the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path on the west to Cook County’s Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village on the east. It includes side paths as well as on-road and off-street trails.
The final segment runs along the west side of Munger Road from Forest Preserve Drive, crosses Army Trail Road, and ends at Smith Road, where it connects to the Elgin Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.
“Trails are some of the most popular things we have here in DuPage County, 166 miles at the Forest Preserve District alone. But we have so many partners that we have over 250 miles of trails throughout DuPage,” said Forest Preserve District President Daniel Hebreard.
The Forest Preserve District has been working cooperatively with DuPage County, local municipalities, and park districts to implement the North Central Regional Trail for more than 25 years. The DuPage County Division of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation also had a role in its development.
The Forest Preserve District recently received $1.5 million in Surface Transportation Program funds and $152,000 from the federally funded locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program for the construction of this final segment.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 6.2 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers, and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok pages.
Left to right, Forest Preserve Commissioner Al Murphy (District 6), Forest Preserve District President Daniel Hebreard, and Bartlett Bike & Run Plan Advisory Committee Member John Goetz officially open the new section of trail to visitors.
