Multipurpose Trail will bring visitors through McCormick Woods, connect to other trails
A new 1-mile trail for hikers, bikers and horseback riders is being built through McCormick Woods on the north side of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s St. James Farm Forest in Warrenville.
The trail will connect a recently installed pedestrian bridge over Spring Brook Creek to an existing 2-mile looped trail, which circles around the equestrian facilities at St. James Farm and connects to the Illinois Prairie Path.
The Forest Preserve District has already started to prepare the proposed trail corridor. By working during the dormant winter months, crews are able to lessen the effects heavy equipment may have on native vegetation.
“This work at St. James Farm will provide people with even more ways to enjoy and connect to nature,” said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Al Murphy, District 6.
“We always look for ways to improve the visitor experience at our preserves,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore. “These improvements will give DuPage County residents more recreational opportunities.”
The Spring Brook Creek bridge was built in 2015 as part of the ecological restoration of 2.3 miles of the floodplain that runs through St. James Farm. Both the bridge and trail are part of a multiphase development plan which includes bringing sewer and water lines to the east side of St. James Farm via Wiesbrook Road along Hoy Avenue by spring 2018. Other plans call for improvements to the indoor riding arena to accommodate public use, programs and equestrian events.
For more information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.
