Rock Island Trail State Park (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock Island Trail State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Wyoming station, the trail headquarters
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 Rock Island Trail State Park
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Stark and Peoria counties, Illinois, USA |
| Nearest city | Wyoming, Illinois |
| Area | 26 miles (42 km) |
| Established | 1989 |
| Governing body | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
The Rock Island Trail State Park is a public path in west-central Illinois. It is about 26 miles (42 km) long. This special path is a "rail trail," which means it was once a railroad track. In 2003, it was named a National Recreation Trail.
The trail goes through parts of Peoria and Stark counties. Its southern end is in north Peoria, Illinois, and its northern end is in Toulon, Illinois. The land for the trail was used as a railroad from 1871 to 1963. After being unused for many years, it became a public trail in 1989.
Contents
Discovering the Rock Island Trail
The Rock Island Trail State Park is a great place to explore nature and history. It offers a flat, easy path perfect for walking, running, and biking. Along the way, you can see different landscapes and learn about the area's past.
What is a Rail Trail?
A rail trail is a path created from an old railroad line. When trains stop using a track, the land can be turned into a trail for people to enjoy. These trails are often very straight and have gentle slopes, making them easy to use for many activities.
History of the Trail
The Rock Island Trail gets its name from the old Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. This railroad was often called the Rock Island. The trail you see today is a small part of a much older railroad. This older line, called the Peoria and Rock Island Railroad, was built between 1869 and 1871. It connected the Quad Cities in Illinois and Iowa to Peoria.
From Railroad to Recreation Path
The Rock Island railroad soon bought the Peoria and Rock Island line. This new line became part of their large network of tracks across the North American Great Plains. This specific branch line was once very busy. It carried large amounts of grains like barley and rye. These grains were used by companies in Peoria to make different products.
However, after 1920, the use of this railroad line decreased. The last train ran on the track in 1963. The land was then unused for many years.
Opening as a Public Trail
The Rock Island Trail was one of the first old railroad lines in downstate Illinois to be turned into a public trail. The state bought the land for public use in 1965. It was officially given to the State of Illinois in 1969. However, it took 24 more years for the path to open to the public in 1989. The trail was officially dedicated in May 1990.
Places to See Along the Trail
As you travel the Rock Island Trail from south (Peoria) to north (Toulon), you will find several interesting spots:
- Pedestrian Tunnel: This tunnel goes under Illinois Route 6. It is part of the Kellar Branch extension.
- Kickapoo Creek Recreation Area: This area is north of Alta. It has a camping spot and 14 acres (5.7 hectares) of restored tallgrass prairie. A prairie is a large area of flat land covered with grass.
- Kickapoo Creek Bridge: You will cross a bridge over Kickapoo Creek. This bridge is south of Dunlap, Illinois.
- Tallgrass Prairie Remnant: North of Princeville, Illinois, you can see a small piece of original tallgrass prairie. This shows what the land looked like long ago.
- Wyoming Station and Trail Headquarters: In Wyoming, Illinois, you will find the old Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Depot. This building now serves as the main office for the trail.
- Spoon River Bridge: About 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Wyoming, you will cross a bridge over the Spoon River.
