Description
Running from East Peoria to Morton, The River Trail of Illinois was resurfaced in summer 2011. From East Peoria, the hiking and biking trail travels southeast along the old Illinois Terminal Railway line. Trail users can experience a bit of tall-grass prairie, bluff and forest habitats that comprise the Illinois River valley. This portion of the trail was recently named for Carl "Bud" Schmitt, a long-time advocate for East Peoria's parks and trails.
Begin across the road from the Fondulac Park District headquarters on Veterans Drive in East Peoria. Picnic tables are situated along the trail in East Peoria's 4.8-mile jurisdiction, between Veterans Drive and Hawthorn Avenue.
The Morton portion of the trail is 2 miles long and begins near the intersection of W. Jackson Street and Detroit Avenue. A 0.5-mile extension spur leads to Westwood Park.
Parking and Trail Access
In Peoria, you can access the River Trail of Illinois from the Fondulac Park District headquarters at 201 Veterans Drive. In Morton, you can access the trail from Westwood Park (Veterans Road north of Jackson Street/US 150) or from West Jefferson Street southeast of its intersection with Detroit Avenue.
I Think I Can, I Think I Can
By
wilhelmggw
in
October, 2012
Who knows why this is called "River Trail"--it doesn't even get close to the Illinois (or any other) River. "Big-Hill-Down-Towards-The-River" might be a better name. There is a long and gradual railroad grade down towards the Illinois River (going west), ...
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*****
By
ukaly
in
July, 2011
I live close to this trail and walk/bike on it often. It was completely resurfaced this summer and is better than when it was new. New benches to rest on, new garbage bins on poles and new signs. Part of this trail goes through a very shaded, wooded area ...
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Trail connection
By
kelton95
in
October, 2010
Bridge is now complete over farm creek and is now paved to the foot of the bob micheal bridge. Kellar Branch trail work going on also. The rails and ties have been pulled up
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