Constitution Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Constitution Trail |
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A "fork" or the "Y" in the trail featuring an old railway signal.
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| Established | May 6, 1989 |
| Use | Running, walking, biking, inline skating |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | All |
| Surface | Asphalt |
The Constitution Trail is a super cool path in Illinois that's great for many activities! It's built on old railroad tracks that aren't used anymore. This awesome trail goes through the 'Twin Cities' of Bloomington and Normal in McLean County, Illinois.
The cities of Bloomington and Normal own this trail. People love to use it for biking, inline skating, walking, running, and even skiing! It covers about 37 miles (60 km) of old railway lines. A special spot on the trail is the Camelback Bridge in Normal. This bridge is so important that it's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The trail officially opened on May 6, 1989. In the year 2000, it was even named a "Millennium Trail" by the White House Millennium Council.
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Camelback Bridge, overlooking the trail.
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One of the many wooden bridges overlooking Bloomington City streets.
Exploring the Constitution Trail
The Constitution Trail has over 45 miles of paths for you to explore! It even connects to the historic Route 66 Trail in McLean County. There are 32 different places where you can start your adventure around Normal and Bloomington. You'll find many historic spots and interesting sights along the way.
Different Paths to Explore
The Constitution Trail has several branches, each offering a unique journey:
- Illinois Central: This is the main path that runs north and south through the Bloomington-Normal area. It starts north of Normal and goes for about 6.5 miles.
- Northtown: This path splits off from the Illinois Central branch. It runs alongside the Ironwood Golf Course and is almost 3 miles long.
- Bloomer Line: You can find this branch splitting off from the Illinois Central path near the Allers Shelter Wayside. This path goes from west to east and is about 4.5 miles long.
- Collegiate: This branch also splits from the Illinois Central path near the Normal Parks & Rec Office. It ends at Heartland Community College and is about 3.5 miles long.
- Southtown: This is a longer path, about 7 miles long. It starts at Pepper Ridge Park.
- Interurban: This path is a little over 4.5 miles long. It begins at the West Route 9 Wayside.
- Route 66: This path follows the famous US Route 66 as it goes southwest through Normal and Bloomington. You can access it from Pepper Ridge Park in Bloomington. The trail from Bloomington to Normal is 7.8 miles, and the total Route 66 trail is 37.2 miles.
Cool Features Along the Trail
The Constitution Trail has many helpful things for visitors. You can find restrooms, shelters or gazebos, and plenty of parking spots. There are also benches where you can rest, water fountains to stay hydrated, and trash cans to keep the trail clean. Plus, you'll find picnic tables if you want to stop for a snack!
