The morning of Friday, September 6, 2013, was nothing short of perfection, as ground–or rather, gravel–was broken on the much-anticipated Morrison-Rockwood Recreational Trail along Crosby Road, Morrison, IL. Soon this sign will be obsolete.
Heavy deconstruction of timber and grading continued a short distance west along the road. Law Excavation had begun cutting a swath on Thursday, September 5. Corn will remain in the fields. One could see the future route, the center of a 10′ wide path marked with red-tipped sticks. On both sides will be 10′ shoulders. Trees afforded comfortable shade as the path followed a scenic oxbow bend away from the road.
“It’s a beautiful arch” of trees proclaimed Stan Mitick, member of Friends of the Parks (FOP.)
FOP steadfastly spearheaded this project. Members were on hand to enjoy the moment: Secretary Marc Adami; President Glenn Ackeberg; Treasurer Barb Benson; Bob Brandon; Stan Mitick; Ann Slavin. Bill McNeal, Roger Stuart, and Kristi Wambeke were unable to attend.
Supporters attending included Pat Zuidema, former City Alderman, and her husband, Arlyn; Jane Ann Ardapple; Corinne Bender, Office of Economic Development Director; Jim Modglin of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR); Ruth Mitick; Mayor Everett Pannier.
Shown left-to-right are Slavin, Pat Zuidema, Modglin, Ackeberg, Stan Mitick, Adami, Mayor Pannier, Brandon, and Benson, prior to the official digging.
Stan Mitick reported the effort to create the Morrison-Rockwood Recreational Trail began 16 years ago, in 1997. Then-Mayor Robert Atherton asked the City to appoint a committee to investigate additional recreational facilities for Morrison. Now, the money is guaranteed to cover the cost of one key element in Atherton’s request. Mitick added that Law Construction will need “about 60 days to” make the first half of the Trail a reality.
Boyer’s Springs trickles through a culvert under Crosby Road. Brandon stands there with Pat, of Law Excavating. The latter’s skidloader takes a breather atop the hill. What fun it will be, to whoosh down the hill and cross the spring! On eBay, Brandon bought this 1909 postcard of Boyer’s Springs in its glory days.
He described the scene. “On [Crosby R]oad there used to be guardrails….The old stone outcroppings are barely visible today. You have to get out of the car to see the remnants and walk into the ravine.” This is where the two men stand. “In the springtime there are two springs bubbling up. [Morrison resident the late] Bill Bull [remembered having] picnics [here] with his family as a young boy.”
Mayor Pannier “know[s] all the trials and tribulations” these advocates endured and added, “It’s an excellant project! [We are] fortunate the bids came in low. Boyer[‘s] Spring[s] will have a three-sided bridge over it and remain natural.”
The Mayor added Morrison is in a position to bring people into town, referencing opening of the Thomson, IL, Correctional Facility that is predicted to open in two years. The “easement [with Mt. Pleasant Township] is being drawn up, and it will be signed in [a couple] days.” This will allow users access to get on and off the trail.
Taking the Trail to the entrance of Morrison-Rockwood State Park is Phase II. Brandon stated if the Trail is paved to the property line of the park, IDNR will continue the path into the State property. It then becomes a budget item for the State.
Mitick offered the following celebratory opening remarks.
“We are here today to celebrate the start of construction of the first half of the recreational trail to Rockwood Park. It has taken many years to reach this point. It has been the number one priority of the Friends of the Parks since…Mayor [Bob Atherton] requested our help to expand recreational facilities for the benefit of the Morrison community and area. This trail appeared to be a natural extension to the recreational parks system within the City.”
“There have been a lot of headwinds, roadblocks, and disappointments along the way, including the lack of funding available, which would permit the City to accept the grant from the IDNR.”
“The Friends of the Parks committed to raise the 20% contribution required by the City. A couple years later, the money has been raised, and the City accepted the grant.”
“This is the day that we have been waiting for. So, it is time to get going. Breaking ground is a good way to start. So, let’s do it!”
He thanked “so many people and organizations…for all the help and support that they have given.”
- The City of Morrison, Mayors, and City Council
- Hundreds of individuals and organizations who donated money
- Three landowners who gave easements for the trail to pass over their land
- Whiteside County and Mt. Pleasant Township for cooperation and support
- IDNR for the grant, with special thanks to Jim Modglin, George Bellovics, and David Sellman of IDNR for counsel and support over a decade
- Fehr-Graham engineers for the design and Law Construction who will build the trail
- Ed Barsotti of the League of Illinois Bicyclists.
“We are excited and looking forward to getting started on Phase II,” concluded Mitick. Ever onward.