BEST BIKE TRAIL
Lost Bridge Trail The Lost Bridge Trail has been called a “nice rural escape in the middle of an urban area” by one of our favorite local bicyclists. The five-mile, paved trail connects Springfield to Rochester via an old railbed. Built in 1995, the community’s oldest bike trail begins near the Illinois Department of Transportation building on the east side and continues further east through dense trees and cornfields and over the Sangamon River. Rochester added offshoots to its community park and baseball complex on its end; future developments on the Springfield side call for extending the trail southeast to Taylorville and Pana.
Runner-up: Interurban Trail

BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH
Illinois State Fair Illinois State Fairgrounds Somewhere in the neighborhood of 700,000 people attend the Illinois State Fair each year, making it the perfect venue to see and be seen. The fair, created in 1853 to celebrate the state’s agriculture industry, pulls in families in a 100-mile radius to participate in various activities from the hog-calling contest to the new demolition derby and wine-tasting. If the crowd’s still not diverse enough for you people-watchers, head over to the Ethnic Village, where you’ll find food from 14 different countries and a daily lineup of stage performances from area cultural music and dance groups.
Runner-up: Washington Park

BEST ANIMAL RESCUE GROUP
Animal Protective League 1001 Taintor Rd., 544-7387 Looking to adopt a new furry friend? Nearly 950 voters — the most who voted in any category — want you to check out the Animal Protective League. The nonprofit makes adopting easy, giving you immediate insight into potential pets. For example, Richie, a hound mix, was chained outside and abandoned for a year, so the APL lets you know that he’s skittish around kids, cats and tiny dogs. Its Web site quotes Richie saying, “But I have so much love to give. Everyone who gets to know me says that I am a delightful, charming gentleman.” The APL finds permanent homes for 2,000 animals annually; all of them are up-to-date on shots and spayed/neutered. They’re located behind the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Taintor Road, across from Gate 6.
Runner-up: Illinois Humane Society

BEST RESALE SHOPPING
The Kids Closet 130 S. John St., Rochester, 1-888-537-2578 Since Kitty Boyce launched The Kids Closet 18 years ago the store has matured. Though she no longer sells items on consignment, she gives in-store credit to those who bring in freshly laundered clothes three years old or less in good condition. Her customers range from Petersburg to Pana. Times were rocky from February to mid-May this year when a federal edict forbade sales of toys and baby furniture. Though some toy sales are permitted today, baby furniture sales are permanently discontinued due to lead and chemical concerns. The Closet has also expanded, offering ladies and juniors clothing, home décor, furniture and books. “Jeans are hot these days, from newborn to plus-size ladies and young men student sizes. We can never get enough,” she says. “Depending on the brand, they sell for from 25 percent to maybe half of retail for new.” Their Web site is also worth a look-see: www.thekidscloset.net. Second and third behind the top vote recipient were Sojourn Resale and Just Kids.
Runner-up: Sojourn Resale