THE TRAIL IS OURS

Sangamon County is the proud owner of a new stretch of land, thanks to the Illinois General Assembly. Former Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill Jan. 9 transferring ownership of the Sangamon Valley Trail from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Sangamon County for the princely sum of a single dollar. The 5.5-mile trail opened in 2011 and is mostly shaded. It runs from Centennial Park in southwest Springfi eld to Stuart Park on the northwest side of town, following the abandoned right-of-way of the former St. Louis, Peoria and North Western Railway. If the stars align, the trail has potential to expand in the future to a much longer trail when funding becomes available. If that expansion happens, the trail could link Athens north of Springfi eld to Girard in the south, for a stretch of roughly 40 miles.