Constitution Trail
The Constitution Trail is a 13+ mile hard surfaced trail developed for walking, hiking, jogging, biking and cross country skiing, which provides the community with another leisure use facility for the entire family. Trash receptacles, picnic tables, shelters, port-a-pots, and benches are available at various locations along the trail. The trail is not cleared of snow/ice.
This
multi-use trail was made possible by a joint venture with the Town
of Normal and the City of Bloomington. In May, 1986, at a joint
Council meeting, permission was received to proceed with land acquisition.
This was especially timely since the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad
was looking to sell their right-of-way. This provided a wonderful
base and direction for the trail to take. The north-south segment
of the trail follows the abandoned Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) railroad
from 1850 North through Uptown Normal to just south of Oakland
Ave., in Bloomington. The east-west segment begins just south of
Normal Parks and Recreation Annex and continues to Towanda Barnes
Road in Bloomington.
The
Trail was officially dedicated and named "Constitution Trail" in
celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States Constitution
on September 17, 1987; the Trail grand opening was May 6, 1989.
Constitution Trail was expanded in 1997. The Town of Normal opened
approximately 3.5 miles of railroad right-of-way from Uptown Normal
to Kerrick Road. Normal was awarded a grant through the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources - Bike Path Program in the amount
of $200,000 to fund development of the trail northward. The new
portion of the trail was developed two feet wider than the existing
trail to accommodate increasing trail usage.
The
Constitution Trail recently underwent another expansion of
approximately 3.3 miles from Normal City Hall to Heartland
Community College. The new portion of the trail leaves City Hall
westbound on Phoenix Ave., and after construction to the Uptown
infrastructure is completed, will connect to S. School St. and
wind through the ISU campus to Gregory Street, then go north on
Adelaide, between the ISU golf course and Fairview Park to Raab
Rd. and Heartland Community College.
See the map here
[PDF]. Normal once again was awarded a $200,000 grant
through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources – Bike Path
Program.
The Friends of the Constitution Trail is a group which works for expansion and beautification of the trail. For more information and a membership form, visit www.constitutiontrail.org.
The Constitution Trail Nature Guide [PDF] - Take a look at the plants and animals found along the Constitution Trail in Bloomington-Normal.
Trail Rules and Regulations
- Open daily from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
- All forms of motorized vehicles are prohibited (except for emergency and maintenance).
- Obey all warning and regulation signs.
- Remember to obey all pedestrian laws when crossing intersections along the trail.
- All other park rules apply.
Trail Use Safety Guidelines
- Foot traffic keep right - Bikers use trail center.
- Be courteous at all times; respect other users, regardless of their mode, speed or skill level.
- Enter and exit trail at access points only.
- Give audible warning signal when passing, by voice, bell or horn.
- Have you outgrown the trail? If your speed or style endangers others, check for alternative routes better suited to your needs. The trail is designed for recreational usage.
- Keep the trail clean. Use the trash receptacles.
- Clean up after your pets. Failure to do so may create regulations to restrict animals.
- Do not wear earphones or anything that distracts from awareness of your environment.
- Please respect the neighbors along the trail, without their cooperation this trail may not exist.
Trail Pamphlets available at the Parks and Recreation offices, Normal City Hall, Normal Public Library and Children's Discovery Museum.