Could Southern Illinois University Carbondale soon boast one of the Midwest’s premier mountain biking parks?

Thanks to some imagination, hard work, determination and a new grant, that’s a very real possibility.

Staff and volunteers have already been hard at work SIU’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center forging a pathway through the beautiful Shawnee Forest — a pathway for biking and other recreational purposes. The recent award of a $200,000 federal grant is a big shot in the arm for the project, according to JD Tanner, Touch of Nature director.

It Began with a Vision
Mountain biking is becoming a big business these days, and the hunt is always on for great trails, Tanner said. He knows that the terrain in Southern Illinois is perfect for the sport, but there’s currently not much on the map. So, he and his team went to work about four years ago, dreaming and planning.

SIU’s forestry department and Touch of Nature have partnered to secure $47,000 in SIU Green Fund grant awards to develop a 10-year land management plan for the facility. Students and faculty have worked together on the project, giving students practical experience to supplement their classroom learning.

A substantial segment of that management plan includes the International Mountain Biking Association’s (IMBA) Conceptual Plan and partial trail design that Touch of Nature staff raised $22,000 in public donations to have IMBA create.

Touch of Nature staff members also secured a third Green Fund grant for $11,615 in 2017 to provide an IMBA trail-building clinic for staff and community volunteers, teaching them the fundamentals of sustainable trail building and design.

Another $8,000 in grants and donations went toward archeological surveys of the land where the trail is being built. A trail system, about 30 miles long, was mapped out in such a way as to be sustainable, durable and low-impact for the environment. They quickly came to realize that this trail system, the first of its kind in the region, would be a big draw for a variety of populations.

Not Just for Biking
Although bikes were the impetus for the project, the Touch of Nature Multiuse Trail System will, as its name indicates, have more than one use. It will be open for hiking and running and will offer a variety of volunteer and educational opportunities for SIU students, staff and community members.

From beginners to advanced riders and walkers, the new trail system will appeal to all, officials said. SIU is the only university in the country with a multi-purpose/bike trail of this size, and organizers note that while serving as a great boost for tourism, it also offers a quality of life boost for area residents.

In addition, the trails will offer a unique opportunity to explore the beautiful Shawnee Forest.

Built by Volunteers
Volunteers have been the backbone of the project so far, officials said.

Isaiah Tanner began working on the project as a graduate student. After graduating in May with his degree in outdoor recreation and resource management, he continued to lend a hand as a part-time SIU employee.

“We’ve worked hard to create a trail system that will have a minimal impact on the forest and yet provide maximum benefits for those who use it,” Tanner said. “It’s the first trail designated for such uses in Southern Illinois, and we think it will not only draw people from throughout the region but from across the country and even internationally. The site will be great for special events like adventure races or trail races, too.”

This past summer, Tanner worked with a variety of groups on the trails. Volunteers from the Youth Conservation Corps in Oklahoma leant a hand, as did tribal teens from the Shawnee Conservation Corps and participants in the American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacation program.

Touch of Nature has also sponsored a series of trail-building days, welcoming community volunteers to help clear trails. The center provides all of the equipment and refreshments while people give of their time and energy.

Students helping with the work can log volunteer hours that help them qualify for the Environmental Ambassador Award, as well.

Grant will Complete Several Miles of Trails
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced recently that Touch of Nature would receive a $200,000 Recreational Trails Program grant, with a substantial portion of the funding actually coming from the Federal Highway Administration.

This cash infusion will enable Touch of Nature to hire professionals to get the project moving along more quickly.

Tanner estimates that with the grant funding and continuing volunteer build days, 8 to 10 miles of trails can be completed, featuring a mixture of beginner and intermediate terrain layouts. He anticipates the first section of trails could be open sometime in fall 2019.

Tanner’s research indicates that when the trail is completely finished and open to users, it could potentially draw 55,000 or more users annually.

Help Welcomed to Complete the Work
Funding is still needed to complete the remainder of the trail circuit. Donations are being accepted online through the Southern Illinois University Foundation for the project.

Additional opportunities for volunteers to help with the project await when the weather cooperates. Visit https://ton.siu.edu/facilities-and-services/touch-of-nature-forest/multi-use-trail-projects.php, call 618/453-1121 or email tonec@siu.edu for more information.

Author: Christi Mathis, reprinted with permission from Southern Illinois University University Communications and Marketing.