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Print Friendly MapThe Lincoln Park Trail runs along the wooded north banks of the Sangamon River. It's mostly flat with a few low hills. Visible from the trail are Decatur's Lincoln Park, some classic old neighborhoods (with brick streets), and the old sections of historic Greenwood Cemetery.
At the east end of the trail, one can see the old and current dams that have formed Lake Decatur. Several central Illinois towns were settled along the Sangamon River, including Springfield, Petersburg and New Salem, all prominent in the life of Abraham Lincoln.
From the west end of this trail, it's less than 1 mile via city streets to connect to the Kiwannis Park/West Side Trail, and on to other trails on the west side of Decatur.
Both the west and east ends of Lincoln Park Drive have trail access and parking. The street ends in the west at State Route 48, with parking in Lincoln Park. It ends in the east at US Business Route 51, with parking near the trail end.
I checked out this trail today as it was the right distance for todays goal. Drove to Taylorville first and took about 20 min finding the Trail head. No bike trail signs around it. I got on and 1 mile into the ride a chain and a sign “ BRIDGE OUT”. Could not pass. I put the bike back on my car and drove to the PANA end of this 14 mi trail and a nice big parking lot ( none at the Taylorville end) and got a great ride in. So instead of 14 mi at this time its only 13. U have to stop at he bridge blocked . It was concrete with intermittent trees and long stretches of open field. Start at Pana cant start at Taylorville.
This is the most overlooked of Decatur's west side trails, mostly because it's not connected directly to the others. Sunset Ave. is the street that connects this trail westward to the Kiwannis Park/West Side Trail. The street west of Fairview Ave. is through a nice old city neighborhood. The closeness to the river on the south makes this trail interesting and beautiful.
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