Logan County Regional Greenways Plan

Logan County Greenways Plan

December, 2006 LOGAN COUNTY REGIONAL GREENWAYS PLAN

Prepared By

Logan County Regional Planning Commission Greenways Committee

With Technical Assistance from McLean County Regional Planning Commission 115 East Washington Street #M103 Bloomington, Illinois 61701

December, 2006 ii ADOPTING GOVERNMENTS

Logan County City of Lincoln

Robert Farmer, Chairman Beth Davis, Mayor Rick Aylesworth Melody Anderson Paul Gleason Orville Busby Veronica Hasprey Derrick Crane Richard Logan Kathleen Horn George Mitchell Benny Huskins Patrick O’Neil Martha Neitzel Charles Ruben Verl Prather William H. Sahs Wanda Lee Rohlfs John Stewart Jonette Tibbs Dale Voyles Daron Whittaker Terry Werth

City of Mt. Pulaski City of Atlanta Bill Glaze, Mayor Bill Martin, Mayor Tricia Aylesworth Annette Chapman James Fuhrer Billie Cheek John Holmes Dale Colaw Otis Howe Fred Finchum John Poffenbarger Mark Flynn John Utterback Adam McVey

Village of Elkhart

Steve Anderson, Village President Lyle Fout James Gleason Tim Gleason Brian Hinds Jeff Kutz Charles Matthews

iii

Executive Summary

The Logan County Regional the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Greenways Plan is a local effort to guide In this spirit of cooperation, the planning and future planning for greenways and open space steering committees shaped a series of goals in Logan County. The greenways movement and objectives to guide the development and arose from the need to address the nation's implementation of the regional greenways urban and environmental problems while plan. Goals and objectives were established meeting the need for recreation and open for the areas of: Conservation, Environment space. Greenways are bands of open space and Natural Resources; Parks, Recreation, and that provide habitat for wildlife, preserve Open Space; Implementation, Management routes for species migration, filter pollutants and Coordination; Legal Issues and Education from water, and enhance scenic and aesthetic Issues. These goals and objectives combined qualities. In many instances, greenways with national and state visions helped formu- expand recreational as well as social, cultural late the final regional greenway planning doc- and economic opportunities. ument. The Logan County Regional This report also presents a series of Greenways Plan identifies a vision and recom- conclusions that reflect the County's natural mends a course of action to achieve a county- and man-made features which have implica- wide system of greenways. This document tions for greenways planning. Logan County presents a vision and suggests recommenda- has a significant number of natural, scenic and tions as well as a description of the process man-made resources that should be preserved used to develop the plan. The document also and integrated into a regional and county-wide highlights County greenways resources and greenways system. These include but are not suggests how to utilize these resources. limited to: Salt Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Sugar The Illinois Department of Natural Creek, Deer Creek, Kickapoo Creek Park, Resources developed planning guidelines and Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area, Memorial provided technical and financial assistance for Park (Lincoln), Chestnut-Beason Park and the local planning effort. The Logan County road and railroad rights-of-way throughout the Comprehensive Planning Committee assigned County. The Route 66 Corridor provides an a steering committee comprised of its mem- established and famous corridor that could be bership to provide input in the greenways used as a primary connector for a future trails planning process. The Comprehensive system in the County. A State Trail is already Planning Committee was comprised of repre- being discussed and proposed that would uti- sentatives from local government, education, lize Route 66 as a primary artery. The plan business and concerned citizens. The result is incorporates these and other appropriate fea- a greenways plan that reflects a wide-range of tures either as designated future greenways or interests and perspectives. as origins and destinations between green- The vision presented in the Logan ways. County Regional Greenways Plan reflects The plan identifies sixty-nine priority national and statewide greenways initiatives as future greenways for possible development well as those of County residents. The green- countywide. A potential greenway is consid- ways plan takes into account the national ered a future priority greenway if it exhibits at vision presented by the President's least one of the ten beneficial features Commission on American Outdoors. It also described in Chapter 4. Eighteen greenways promotes the concept for an statewide connec- with six or more beneficial features were iden- tion of trails and open spaces as promoted by tified and described in the text of the report.

v For sake of analysis and maximum reviews of the plan to measure progress or planning coverage, the County was divided target additional greenways projects. Public into five planning areas: Lincoln Urban Area, education and public relations is another rec- Northeast Logan, Northwest Logan, Southeast ommended activity for those charged with Logan and Southwest Logan. In the Lincoln implementing the greenways plan. It is recom- Urban Area, major priority greenways were mended the Logan County Regional Planning suggested to include the Madigan Fish and Commission provide staff and technical sup- Wildlife Area, Kickapoo Creek Park, the port to the management agency or committee Lincoln Lakes area and the Route 66 charged with coordinating greenways activi- Corridor. In Northeast Logan County, it was ties. suggested Sugar Creek, Kickapoo Creek and Government entities may be called on Deer Creek be highly considered for more to provide financial support to fund particular potential development as greenways. Sugar greenways projects within respective jurisdic- Creek was also seen as a primary greenway tions and meet local match requirements for for the Northwest section of the County. In federal and state grants as available. Local Southeast Logan County, the water bodies of governments are urged to consider the region- Salt Creek, Deer Creek and Lake Fork were al greenways plan in any community planning targeted as primary sites for greenway devel- and should encourage local developers to opment. In Southwest Logan County, Salt include greenways concepts in any new devel- Creek and Lake Fork were targeted as major opments. Any regulatory ordinances dealing priority greenways along with the Route 66 with greenways and open space should be Corridor. reviewed and updated if necessary in order to In order for this plan to be effective, it assist with plan implementation. must be implemented. Methods available to The preparation of the greenways plan aid in the implementation of the plan include is an important first step in realizing a vision regulatory ordinances and various acquisition, for greenways in Logan County. Dedication ownership and financial strategies. Most of and hard work in addition to appropriate fol- these methods require cooperation or partici- low-up actions will be necessary to achieve pation by landowners and private citizens. The the desired results of the plan. implementation chapter also describes implementation responsibilities for federal, state and local governments as well as interested citizens and organizations. The plan also stresses the need for continued coordination of plans, programs and projects between these entities in order to meet the objectives of the greenways plan. Required actions will be necessary to carry out plan recommendations. The official adoption of the regional greenways plan by local governments is required. It may also be necessary to appoint a management or coordinating committee to help guide regional planning staff in any plan implementation. Regional planning staff assigned to assist in plan implementation will work with the appropriate management or coordinating committee to determine strategies for any land acquisition, ownership or financing and perform any

vi TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i Adopting Governments iii Executive Summary v Table of Contents vii Index to Illustrations ix

Chapter 1. Introduction ...... 1

Chapter 2. Vision ...... 5

Chapter 3. Greenway Resources ...... 11

Chapter 4. Future Priority Greenways ...... 27

Chapter 5. Implementation ...... 49

Appendix A

vii viii INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS

Maps

Map 1.1 Regional Perspective ...... 3 Map 3.1 Greenway Resources ...... 13 Map 4.1 Logan County Greenways Plan...... 31 Map 4.2 Lincoln Metro ...... 33 Map 4.3 Northwest Logan County ...... 35 Map 4.4 Northeast Logan County...... 39 Map 4.5 Southeast Logan County ...... 41 Map 4.6 Southwest Logan County ...... 47

Charts

Chart 3.1 Urban and Rural Population Trends and Projections ...... 17

Tables

Table 3.1 Endangered and Threatened Species ...... 15 Table 3.2 Population Trends and Preliminary Projections by Municipality...... 16

Exhibits

Exhibit 4.1 Beneficial Features of Priority Greenways ...... 28 Exhibit 5.1 Summary of Acquisition Strategies for Greenways ...... 50 Exhibit 5.2 Suggested Comparative Ownership Strategies ...... 52 Exhibit 5.3 Private Sector Funding Sources...... 53 Exhibit 5.4 Public Sector Funding Sources ...... 54 Exhibit 5.5 Local Government Public Financing Techniques ...... 55 Exhibit 5.6 Natural Resource Management Incentives ...... 56 Exhibit 5.7 Federal and State Funding Sources for Transportation Enhancement Activities . . 57

ix x Introduction CHAPTER1 A future challenge for Logan County connected networks of open space will be to balance the need for economic that include traditional parks and other natural growth with the need to preserve natural areas. Greenways can also be used for recre- areas. Preserving the natural environment can ation and conservation. create open space and recreational opportuni- For the purpose of this document, a ties that complement economic development trail is commonly defined as any linear route and protect the habitat of plant and animal for travel. In common usage, a trail is either a species. The Regional Greenways Plan pro- paved or non-paved pathway used for non- vides a guide for the preservation and devel- motorized transportation, access or recreation. opment of open space and recreational corri- Trails are commonly used by hikers, joggers, dors to enhance the local quality of life and bicyclists and rollerbladers for recreation or thus support the retention and expansion of non-motorized travel. The use of greenways economic activity. and trails should always be encouraged since they can be utilized as an alternative form of OPEN SPACE, GREENWAYS AND transportation that promotes healthy lifestyles. TRAILS UTILIZATION OF GREENWAYS Open space can be interpreted to mean different things to different people. Simply, it In many cases, greenways have a con- is the unbuilt environment. An accepted defi- nection between open space and active recre- nition of open space is any undeveloped piece ational areas. Sometimes, the two function of land adding ecological, scenic or recre- together as when greenways and trails connect ational value, usually in an urban area. Open parkland. At other times, greenways provide a space can be public or private. It can include more passive function, connecting natural any parcel or area of land or water that is areas, forests, and waterways. Greenways also improved or unimproved. Open space is used promote harmony between the natural and the for the preservation of natural resources, the built environments. Designating areas as managed production of resources, outdoor greenways can be an effective way of defining recreation, or for maintaining and improving valuable natural, scenic or sensitive areas that public safety. Functional open space, agricul- should be protected. tural land, retention/detention areas, flood- ways and floodplains can all be considered UTILIZATION OF TRAILS AND ROUTES open space. A greenway is a linear open space or linear park that may accommodate pathways Various types of trails and routes can used for foot traffic and/or non-motorized also be considered greenways. Trails are paths vehicles. It can also be a corridor composed or routes designated for non-motorized trans- of natural vegetation. Typically, greenways portation. Opportunities to bicycle, run or are planned along creeks, streams or rivers walk are the primary uses for trails. Trails can and managed as natural environments, or as be placed in either urban or rural settings. sidewalks and bikeways along landscaped Trails can be dirt, paved, cindered, or natural. streets. Greenways are also used to create They are often located along street or road

Logan County Greenways Plan 1 rights-of-way, on abandoned railroad lines or ronmental threats and concerns regarding open through designated open or natural areas. space and recreational availability. Where traffic counts are low, trails have been With assistance from the Illinois marked to share the road with motorized vehi- Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the cles. Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways Plan Walking paths are intended for pedes- developed by the Northeastern Illinois trians only and are for more passive uses. Planning Commission (NIPC) and the Paths can be narrower than a trail and the sur- Openlands Project was the first cooperative face is a hard compacted soil or consists of effort by public and private organizations to wood chips or similar product. Paths are usu- create a regional greenways plan in Illinois. ally placed in wooded or secluded areas where Since then, IDNR has offered financial and people can walk leisurely or study nature at technical assistance to other planning organi- their own pace. zations in the state to prepare regional green- Some areas have included equestrian ways plans. trails into greenway systems. These are trails designated for horseback riding. These trails THE REGIONAL GREENWAYS PLAN are located in open areas or wind through woods. The surfaces are usually the same as those of walking paths. Equestrian and bike The Logan County Greenways Plan trails have been constructed parallel to one presents a vision and framework for establish- another but with each having its own surface. ing a regional system of greenways in the Some communities include driving County. The plan presents goals and objec- routes in greenway systems. Driving routes tives and identifies the County's greenways are existing roadways that receive a special resources and priority future greenways, designation due to some attraction or quality. which should be considered for possible pro- These routes may be designated for topogra- tection and development. Possible greenway phy, vegetation, waterways, views or histori- linkages with other regions are also explored. cal value. Such routes can include historic ele- The plan also recommends a course of ments as a connection to the designation. action for implementing future priority green- Routes for motorized vehicle use not ways. Ownership and acquisition strategies are applicable to normal street use can also be part of the implementation plan. These strate- considered part of a greenways system. gies involve voluntary participation of However, such uses or facilities are usually landowners, possible use of legal options or private in nature, although sometimes public establishing local ordinances. Funding options facilities are provided. These include off-street for preservation and development of green- areas where all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), ways are also outlined. These funding options motocross or go-carts can be operated in a may include grant development programs controlled environment. available through federal, state, local or private agencies and endowments. A HISTORY OF THE GREENWAYS MOVEMENT HOW THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED

The need to nationally address impor- The plan was developed in coopera- tant ecological and recreational issues gave tion with the Logan County Comprehensive rise to the greenways movement. Government Plan and Greenways Steering Committee. agencies at all levels, in cooperation with Members of the Comprehensive Plan interested citizens and organizations, have col- Committee included representatives of the fol- laborated in researching and meeting on envi- lowing communities, agencies or institutions:

2 Logan County Greenways Plan Sources: road and hydrology data from Marshall La Salle ESRI, Inc., jurisdictional data from s Map 1.1 i Illinois Department of Natural Resources. o in ll Knox I Regional Perspective Logan CounLtivyin Rgsetognional Greenways Plan Peoria Woodford Peoria Iroquois

Fulton Normal Tazewell Ford McLean Bloomington

Mason Atlanta

De Witt Lincoln Champaign Logan Urbana Champaign Menard Cass Elkhart Mount Pulaski 25 miles Piatt

Macon Decatur 50 miles Springfield Sangamon Douglas

Morgan Moultrie

75 miles Christian Coles

SheLlbeygend Logan County Cities in Logan County Macoupin Cumberland Other Regional Cities and Towns Montgomery (by population - Census 1990) 10,0E0f0fi n- g2h5,a0m00 25,001 - 75,000 Effingham 75,001 - 175,000 Fayette Jasper Illinois Counties Illinois Bond Madison Illinois River $ $ Miles Illinois Highways and Roads 10 5 0 10 20 30 40 50 Clay Marion Richland City of Atlanta, City of Lincoln, City of Mt. Pulaski, County of Logan, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, Village of Elkhart, Lincoln/Logan Economic Development Council, and the Logan County Regional Planning Commission. During development of the plan, members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee met regularly to review and dis- cuss items relevant to the greenways plan, including existing and anticipated future development patterns, local and regional transportation patterns, and County points of interest. Future growth areas and greenway needs were identified based on comprehensive planning activities. An inventory of the County’s greenway resources was completed and evaluated to determine priorities for future greenway development. Implementation was a major consideration and is addressed in the final chapter of this document. Various methods, strategies and responsibilities are presented along with recommended actions for carrying out the plan.

LIMITATIONS AND USE OF THE PLAN

The Logan County Regional Greenways Plan presents a vision and provides a guide for actions in support of the vision. The report summarizes research find- ings, presents goals and objectives, identifies greenway resources, prioritize greenway development, describes available implementation and funding strategies, and recommends a course of action to follow in carrying out the greenways plan. Implementation of the plan will require a strong local commitment in support of those actions.

4 Logan County Greenways Plan Vision CHAPTER2 THE NATIONAL VISION by smaller towns and villages. The greenways movement remains vital An increasing number of Americans today, due in part to the physical, social and share the vision of a national network of open economic problems that are present in larger spaces. The national greenways movement urban areas and older suburbs. Each year, began during the era of the Civil War. millions of acres of land are consumed by Frederick Law Olmstead is credited with development and urban sprawl. Some of this beginning the greenways movement in the new development is done without considera- United States. His “linear” open space design tions for providing necessary open space or a for the College of California (later the design for social or cultural interaction. A sig- University of California) in Berkeley in 1865 nificant amount of modern-day development proposed open space linkages with the City of has been done without attempting to achieve a Oakland. Although the idea was only partially sense of community. brought to fruition, the concept of greenways The lack of federal resources for open eventually became widely accepted and was space projects has mobilized people of all put into use in many parts of the country. By walks of life to champion the greenways utilizing public land acquisition, the National movement. The modern greenways movement Park Service provided the impetus necessary seeks to preserve linear bands of open space, to further the national greenways movement. which are less expensive to acquire and bene- Many urban areas introduced greenways into fit the highest percentage of people. Greenway the planning process and were soon followed linkages can foster a sense of community by linking together neighborhoods and other

All Veterans Park, Lincoln

Logan County Greenways Plan 5 points of interest where people are known to contribute to the quality of life in Illinois. interact with one another and with nature. • Greenways and trails should be developed These linkages can also provide habitat for through partnerships among federal, state, various plant and animal species that promote regional and local units of government, con- ecological stability. Greenways can also pro- stituent organizations and trail users. vide passive recreational opportunities. • Trails should link communities and their parks and extend from cities into the country- THE ILLINOIS GREENWAYS side. They should connect to Illinois' diverse MOVEMENT regions and with trails in neighboring states. • A network of trails should evolve throughout the length and breadth of Illinois, easily The Illinois Department of Natural accessible to all Illinoisans for their use and Resources (IDNR) provides financial assis- enjoyment. tance to regional planning commissions to assist in the financing of regional greenway plans. This document is an example of that GOALS AND OBJECTIVES financial assistance. IDNR's regional greenway planning process requires broad based Local support for greenways is evident public support and input. The agency provides by the membership and activities of the Logan technical support for greenway planning and County Comprehensive Plan Committee and provides grant assistance for acquisition and Logan County Greenways Steering development of greenway and trail projects. In Committee. The Committee membership some cases, IDNR acquires, develops and comes from diverse backgrounds and compris- manages greenways. The Illinois Department es a number of organizations and agencies that of Transportation (IDOT) through SAFETEA- support the development and preservation of LU has also provided significant funding open space, greenways and trails. These assistance for transportation related projects. organizations include but are not limited to: Many of these projects have made important Logan County Highway Department, contributions to greenway development and Lincoln/Logan Economic Development preservation in Illinois. Council, Logan County school districts, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, local IDNR PLANNING GUIDELINES recreation and bike enthusiasts, and county business leaders. Others involved in greenways activities also include staff and officials The IDNR suggests to keep the follow- of local governments. ing in mind when considering or planning The Committee has identified a series of greenway projects: goals and objectives to guide the development and implementation of the Logan County • Recreational trails should provide the peo- Regional Greenways Plan. Goals and objec- ple of Illinois with opportunities to enjoy tives were developed for the five broad cate- physical and social activities and provide gories of (1) Conservation, Environment and opportunities to experience the natural, cultur- Natural Resources; (2) Parks, Recreation and al and scenic amenities of trail corridors. Open Space; (3) Implementation, Management • Trails should reflect landscapes typical of and Coordination; (4) Legal Issues; and (5) the state's different regions and should pro- Educational Issues. The goals and objectives vide a pleasurable, non-polluting alternative to for each of these categories are presented in automobile travel for short trips. the following pages. • Trails should be economic assets to the communities they pass or intersect and should

6 Logan County Greenways Plan CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENT AND Goal NATURAL RESOURCES • Development of additional trails and green- Goal ways to enhance natural areas.

• Protection of environmentally-sensitive Objective areas.

• Identification of stream valleys, drainage Objectives ways and other bodies of water in the County's urban areas that should be protected. • Development of criteria and mechanisms for identifying environmentally sensitive Goal areas. • Identification of linkages between environmentally sensitive areas in urban and rural • Preservation of cultural and historic areas. areas. • Prioritize environmentally sensitive areas. Objectives

Goal • Identification of areas that have a cultural or historical significance. • A regional system of greenways that pro- • Identification of cultural or historic sites tects sensitive environmental areas and pro- that can be linked to greenways. motes conservation of habitat and endangered species. Goal

Objectives • A healthy, clean and attractive environment in which to live, work and enjoy. • Local programs and measures that encourage the preservation of existing natural areas Objectives as potential greenways, increase environmental awareness and promote sound conservation • Safe and abundant supplies of groundwater practices. and surface waters in Logan County as • Preservation of interconnected greenways sources of potable drinking water, irrigation, as a means to preserve habitat and provide a and industrial and recreational uses. buffer from human activity. • Environmentally compatible use of flood- prone lands and wetlands. Goal • Management of non-point sources of pollution by filtering and storing storm runoff from • Conservation of greenspace as a considera- impervious surfaces such as buildings, roads tion in the review of development projects. and parking lots and using vegetative ground cover to filter runoff and control soil erosion. • Integration of open space and outdoor Objective recreation into community and economic development plans. • Ordinances that require developers to dedicate • Utilization of open space for multiple pur- resources to the park and open space system. poses through the development and/or preser-

Logan County Greenways Plan 7 vation of greenways. These would include: Objective nature and forest preserves; historic, cultural and archeological sites; public and private out- • Develop a mechanism for continuing dia- door recreation areas and ecological sensitive logue that supports regional cooperation and habitats. coordination in the planning and provision of • Preservation of the identity and character parks and open space. of communities by enhancing natural and rural landscape settings and scenic vistas. • The use of incentives to encourage private Goal land owners to make wise land use and environmental management decisions. • Develop and preserve open space and recreational facilities that are accessible to all PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE residents.

Goal Objectives

• A regional park system that provides for a • A plan and capital improvements program variety of active and passive recreational that supports the development of public and activities. private open space. • A process for the review and monitoring of Objectives area needs for parkland. • Retention of open space for recreation, wildlife habitat and historical and archeologi- • Sufficient parks and open space to accom- cal preservation. modate the needs of existing and future county • Preservation of a sufficient quantity and residents. (recommend 10 acres of developed variety of open space to meet the recreational, parkland/open space per 1,000 population). aesthetic and ecological needs of the County. • A reasonable number of facilities to • Environmentally compatible land uses in accommodate both active and passive recre- floodplains and areas adjacent to waterways ational needs. and other natural open space systems. • Preservation of historical sites and land- Goal scapes, the study of archeological sites and the expansion of conservation areas. • A regional park system that is intercon- • The use of greenways to establish munici- nected by a system of greenways and trails. pal growth boundaries and recreation corridors in order to provide a buffer for adjacent land uses. An example would be to establish Objective buffers between farms and municipal growth areas. • Public and private development of special- • The use of creative techniques to preserve ized outdoor recreational facilities linked to permanent open spaces such as conservation greenways and trails. easements which maintain private property values. • Dedication of open space and recreational Goal land in subdivisions. • Development of a recreation/open space • Intergovernmental coordination for the plan. planning of parks, greenways and trails.

8 Logan County Greenways Plan IMPLEMENTATION, MANAGEMENT Goal AND COORDINATION • A program for funding the acquisition, Goal development and maintenance of greenways.

• Reservation of land for greenways as a Objective consideration in the review of development and redevelopment projects. • Capital improvements programming to help implement the greenways plan. Objectives

Goal • Identification of development standards for greenways. • Identification of potential greenways link- • Beautification of private development. ages. • Restoration standards for greenways that Objective maximize conservation opportunities. • Provision of parks, trails and open space in Goal developing areas.

• Reservation of land for natural areas for LEGAL ISSUES public and private use. Goal Objectives • Utilize a variety of "legal tools" in devel- • Dedication of land for natural areas in new oping or reserving land for greenways and developments. trails. • A process that encourages conservation of natural areas through innovative means such Objective as conservation easements. • An evaluation of conservation districts, Goal conservation easements, utility easements, and other mechanisms for greenways in Logan • A coordinated system of trails and green- County. ways. • A management entity that includes repre- Goal sentatives from local government to promote coordinated implementation of the greenways • Use of abandoned railroad rights-of-way plan. for greenways and trails. • A process that integrates the interests of private landowners into the implementation of the greenways plan. Objective

• Cooperation and coordination with railroad companies in the acquisition of existing or

Logan County Greenways Plan 9 future abandoned railroad rights-of-way.

Goal

• A spirit of cooperation in the reservation of land and the implementation of open space and greenways.

Objective

• A mechanism that provides an opportunity for a continuous open dialogue and exchange of information with interested citizens, government agencies, private developers or landowners adjacent to potential greenway sites.

EDUCATION ISSUES

Goal

• Public education on the benefits of greenways to the environment in terms of improved air and water quality, the local economy, aes- thetics and the overall quality of life.

Objectives

• Identification of how greenways contribute to environmental preservation. • Identification of the target audiences and methods to reach each member.

10 Logan County Greenways Plan Greenway Resources CHAPTER3 Greenway resources are natural and 771 feet. The Logan County terrain was man-made features that may provide opportu- formed during the glacial period. The County nities for developing greenways. Topographic is blessed with rich agricultural soils with the features, waterways, flood plains, wetlands, majority being Ipava-Sable-Tama which is vegetation and wildlife habitat are natural fea- dark and predominately level. Some areas of tures that can enhance opportunities for green- the County are subject to elevation changes way development. Urbanization, protected along drainage areas, knolls and degraded open space, existing and planned trails, roads moraines. Logan County features several and rights-of-way are man-made features that streams and waterways that wind through all may also represent opportunities for green- portions of the County. Some of these water ways. The natural and man-made greenway bodies provide vital connections to waterways resources of Logan County are identified in in other neighboring counties and assist in the chapter for consideration in developing preserving Logan County's natural ecology. greenways and greenway linkages throughout the County. Waterways and Flood Plains

NATURAL FEATURES The network of major streams and tributaries in Logan County include: Salt Logan County is located in the geo- Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Sugar Creek and graphic center of Illinois and encompasses 618 Deer Creek. Smaller networks include: Lake square miles. It has a maximum elevation of Fork and its tributaries, Clear Creek and

Arch Bridge near Elkhart

Logan County Greenways Plan 11 Prairie Creek are smaller and less significant some areas, particularly in the upper reaches water bodies. in the eastern portion of the County. It is a primary passive recreational area for County Salt Creek residents and is home to various species of fish, birds and mammals.

Salt Creek flows into eastern Logan County from Aetna Township and travels west Kickapoo Creek until merging with Lake Fork. It runs north and converges with Deer Creek near the Kickapoo Creek flows into northeast southern edge of the City of Lincoln and then Logan County from DeWitt County and then flows to the confluence of the Sangamon to the southwest. It meets Salt Creek just River in eastern Sangamon County (see Map north of County Street 1400 North and east of 3.1). In the early 1900's, some portions of the County Avenue 700 East near the border of creek were straightened and deepened in order Broadwell and West Lincoln townships. The to decrease the occurrences of flooding and to Kickapoo converges with Clear Creek near increase the water flow of the creek. This Atlanta and Salt Creek near Lincoln (see Map alteration of the stream created the Lower Salt 3.1). Although not officially endangered, por- Creek tributary. tions of the Creek are believed to have envi- Historically, Salt Creek carried a sig- ronmental issues that merit monitoring. The nificant amount of silt from agricultural opera- Creek also flows into Kickapoo Creek Park tions. However, this silt flow has a tendency just north of Lincoln. to drop during the winter months causing the creek to appear less muddy. Sugar Creek Salt Creek has always been considered an important natural water body for Logan County. Some portions of the creek are not Sugar Creek extends from the north- channeled. The creek is heavily forested in east to the southwest through Eminence, Orvil, West Lincoln and Sheridan Townships.

Salt Creek near Mt. Pulaski

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1 1575 0 TH ST 5 R 5TH ST

T H

0 2 Lincoln 6 C

1550TH ST S T

E 2ND ST 1 0

T V

I 0

A 1525TH 4 ST M

I 2

H E

L Beason

0 Greenway Planning Areas

A N 1500TH ST

E E E 5 1450TH ST V 5

M V V

A L i n c o l n M e t r o

L i n c o l n M e t r o

A P

H O

H H

T O E

V T T L

5 V A 1 5 400 0 TH ST

7 S

A 7 5 Rivers and Streams

5 S 1 H 400TH ST

E 6

3 E 1400TH ST H

E E V N

0 T I

E V

5 0 S

A A E

4 5

H U ST A V 0TH A 2 B 135

H H

E T H E H

1300TH S E 5 T

0 V 0

H V T 1300TH ST T A V

0 0

0 A T 1 300TH ST 0 Railroads

8 9

0 0 1300TH ST T

H 5 1

H 8

1 1

6 1250TH ST 1 T 2

Middletown E S 2

E T V

6 1 A

V A

6 T E

V Abandoned Railroads E 120 0TH ST

T E H 1200TH ST V A 1200TH ST

R T H A

E R

A 5

D V T

H 2

L T

H E E 1

T 3

0 O 0 2

V 5 2

H 0 1

A 7

2 1

0 1100TH ST 1

2 H

1100TH ST 2

0 300' Stream Buffer

T T 1100TH ST

0 5 1100TH ST

5 V

2 A

1050TH H H ST

T 1025TH ST A 1050TH ST

E 1025 5 H TH 1000TH ST 0 ST Wooded Areas

6 V T

5 Broadwell A 1000TH ST 1000T H ST 0 1000TH ST E 7

H V 1

T A 1 2 5

950TH ST E

H 7

T V 2 950TH ST

6 A

1 900TH ST 8 Greenway Area

7 H E

E T

900TH V V ST Chestnut

0 V A

A 875TH ST

7 H

V H 1 8 T

E T 50T

A T H S

4 0

8 T V 5 7 0 7 T H

A 3 R 3 7 Regional Parks 800TH ST T

9 E

E 2 H T 0 A

T E 8 T 0 00TH ST S

800TH ST

S o u t h w e s t H

S o u t h w e s t 0

A V

A E 750TH ST

H 0 Ê Ê Ê Ê

A P 4

0 T H Greenways - Roads

70 1 0TH ST E

5 0

E 0 O T 700TH ST

E E 8

0 700TH ST

V V

A 5 S o u t h e a s t

H S o u t h e a s t

A A

H E H

T T

0 0

E 0

Potential Bicycle Route 6 1 0 600TH ST 0

E V

6 600TH ST E Mount Pulaski H

1 8

V V

T V T Elkhart E MCDONA 1 A LD A ST

R A

0 600TH ST

E H

T H E D H V

2 L E 0

E A T V

T 550TH ST

O V

0 0

H 5 E

A 0 0

A 7 S

T 1 H 1 T 9 A 3 Route 66 Trail Location

1 T 0

T H E 500TH ST 500TH ST 1

T 5 R

0 T T 0 4

1 0 0 21 0 ST 1 500TH

6 480TH S 2 3 T

E H

425TH ST

T W LOGAN CO LINE V Streets and Roads RD E LOGA D N CO LINE 0 RD 400T A H ST

H 400TH V 3 ST 2 400TH ST

T A 1

T 350TH ST 4

0 350TH ST 2 Lake Fork 5 Old Route 66

N 300TH ST 1

L V 300TH ST

E Latham Sources: street and road data from Logan County Highway Department; A 300TH ST

N H 275TH ST A

T hydrology from U.S. Geological Survey and aerial A

T 5

0 photography provided by Logan County Regional Planning Commission; 9 Interstate Highway

0 200TH V ST E

1 A jurisdictional boundaries from City of Lincoln, City of Atlanta, V 200TH ST

A 200TH ST

H T

5 City of Mt. Pulaski, Village of Elkhart and Logan County; R 169TH ST E

A 0

S 5

additional data based on aerial photography provided by U

T Cities and Towns

H A R

Logan County Regional Planning Commission. Cornland E H 1 A 00T 0 H 4 D S T

V T

R H

B 5 A

0 V

O 50TH ST 1

1 V A 50TH ST

S County Boundary

H 4 2 0 4 8 12 2

R H T SCHMITT RD 2

0 T B SHELLHAMMER RD 0 0 HAGEN RD

3 0

1 9

1 $ Miles Table 3.1 ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES Logan County, Illinois

Common Name State Status Habitat Habitat Details Henslow's Sparrow Endangered Prairies, grasslands,Tallgrass prairies, and savannas agricultural grasslands, pine savannas Ear-Leafed Foxglove Endangered Prairie Prairie pastures, formerly cultivated farm fields, roadsides and flood plains Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Natural Heritage Database 2005

The creek runs into Logan County from Other Waterways McLean County (see Map 3.1). The upper reaches of the creek in northeast Logan Several smaller and man-made water- County feature significant patches of forest ways are also present within the County. Lake along its banks that provide natural areas and Fork is a man-made creek and is sterile sever- habitat for wildlife. al times during the year. It flows in a south to southeasterly direction from Lincoln and has Deer Creek two tributaries (Lake Fork South and Lake Fork North) in the southeastern portion of the Deer Creek flows into Logan County County. from DeWitt County. The water body mean- Prairie Creek flows through Orvil and ders through the northeast and central region Prairie Creek Townships on the northwest side of Logan County until it converges with the of the County. Salt and Lake Fork Creeks near the Edward Clear Creek in Atlanta Township is a R. Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area just south tributary of Kickapoo Creek. Pike and Wolf of Lincoln. The creek is channeled from State Creeks in southwest Logan County do not Route 121 and to the west (see Map 3.1). have a high consistency of water flow Deer Creek is recognized as having some of throughout the year and are not considered the best recreational fishing in the County. major waterways.

Table 3.2 Logan County Population Trends and Preliminary Projections by Municipality, 1960-22025

Jurisdiction 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 City of Atlanta 1,568 1,640 1,807 1,616 1,649 1,670 1,700 1,725 1,775 1,800 Village of Broadwell 173 159 183 146 169 170 175 180 190 200 Village of Elkhart 418 435 493 475 443 460 480 500 525 550 Village of Emden 502 552 527 459 515 520 525 530 540 550 Village of Hartsburg 300 363 379 306 358 360 370 375 380 390 Village of Latham 389 361 564 482 371 370 360 350 340 330 City of Lincoln 16,890 17,582 16,327 15,418 15,369 15,500 16,000 16,500 17,000 17,500 Village of Middletown 543 626 503 436 434 435 430 425 420 420 City of Mount Pulaski 1,689 1,677 1,783 1,610 1,701 1,725 1,760 1,790 1,825 1,850 Village of New Holland 314 321 295 330 318 320 315 310 305 300 Village of San Jose* 595 681 784 519 696 720 750 775 800 825

Logan County 33,656 33,538 31,802 30,798 31,183 32,000 32,500 33,000 33,500 34,000 *also located in Mason County Source: U. S. Cenus Bureau and McLean County Regional Planning Commission

Logan County Greenways Plan 15 Deer Creek

Flood Plains northern Logan County, a forested area around Sugar Creek and its West Fork tribu- The flood plains of the County's tary is densely covered with species of oak, waterways can be utilized as green or open hickory and sugar maple trees. The other con- space during periods of dry weather. Hiking centration of forested area is located in and bicycle trails have been built in or adja- Corwin Township near Middletown in the Salt cent to flood plains in various regions of the Creek watershed. This area is considered a country depending on the local circumstances. savannah habitat. Sommers Woods is the pri- Flood plains can also be utilized as passive mary grove in this area and features a variety recreation areas and as greenway corridors. of tree species. Other tree cover is confined to When protected, flood plains provide natural riparian areas, protected parklands, or spo- habitat for flora, fauna and all types of radic areas not suited for agricultural pursuits. wildlife. Residential or commercial development in a flood plain should be discouraged. Wildlife Habitat Flood plains play an important ecological function by supporting the sustainability of a Greenways and natural areas can func- stream network. The County's principal flood tion to preserve and restore natural cover and plain is shown on the greenway resources vegetation that can benefit wildlife populations map. by providing routes for migration. Like most areas of Central Illinois, Logan County is Tree Cover and Vegetation known to have a healthy population of deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoon, fox, opossum and Logan County is not extensively skunks. Bird species include: geese, ducks, forested. Tree cover is generally confined to pheasants, wild turkeys, hawks, owls and limited areas around the County's stream net- songbirds. Many species of fish common to work. The most significant tree cover is locat- Central Illinois such as catfish, bluegill, bass, ed in north and west central Logan County. In crappie and sunfish can all be found in County

16 Logan County Greenways Plan waterways. Reptiles and amphibians such as open space in new developments. Progress has various species of snakes, frogs and toads can been made in many urban areas in developing be found in the County as well. Vegetation, greenways and trails by requiring dedications tree cover and water bodies provide places for of land or cash in lieu of land for park and these species to live and prosper by providing recreational purposes as part of the approval adequate food sources and cover necessary for process for new subdivisions. wildlife survival. In this way, population growth and Populations of animal and plant land use development can influence the devel- species should be monitored since they are opment of greenways and trails. In urbanized important in maintaining the natural order of areas, attempts are made to place greenways nature in the County. Thus far, Logan County and trails that connect destinations within the is fortunate to have only one animal and one community such as parks, schools, shopping plant species on the state's endangered species and employment centers. Greenways should list, the Henslow's Sparrow and the Ear- be located to provide such connectivity as well Leafed Foxglove (see Table 3.1). as provide a recreational function. Local trends are examined next to access the poten- URBAN GROWTH tial impact of these factors in greenway development in Logan County.

Urban growth areas present both challenges and opportunities for greenway preser- Economic Growth vation and development. If unchecked, urban growth can result in the loss of open space A vibrant economy can generate the and opportunities for greenway development. necessary tax revenues for financing public However, construction activity can also bring amenities and services, such as greenways, opportunities for greenway development by that are needed to support long-term commu- incorporating new trails, restoring and protect- nity growth. Many of these public amenities ing waterways, and providing parks and other are supported by public tax dollars. Therefore,

Chart 3.1 Urban and Rural Population Trends and Projections Logan County, Illinois 1960 - 2025

36,000

35,000

34,000 n

o 34,000 i t 33,656 a

l 33,000 33,538 33,500 u

p 33,000 o

P 32,000 32,500 32,000 31,802 31,000 31,183 30,798 30,000 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025

Source: U.S. Census; McLean County Regional Planning Commission

Logan County Greenways Plan 17 it is important Logan County continue to be show a modest increase in the County's urban proactive in improving its economy by population and a stable rural population up to encouraging economic development. The pres- the year 2025 (see Chart 3.1). ence of established manufacturing, health Although population growth can pres- care, service and agricultural industries along ent challenges for open space preservation and with a proactive business recruitment strategy greenways development, it can also create provides reason for optimism regarding the opportunities. New development can be area's economic vitality. Companies such as designed to incorporate greenways and trails Eaton Corporation/Cutler Hammer, Precision or features that have often been overlooked in Products, International Coal Group and Saint- previous developments. Moreover, population Gobain Containers are examples of manufac- growth is usually accompanied by economic turing companies that provide a solid employ- development, which can increase tax revenues ment base. Other service-based operations to help fund the amenities. such as the Logan and Lincoln Correctional Center and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Land Use Development Hospital provide significant employment. Good schools at the primary and sec- ondary levels can maintain and attract popula- The majority of residential and com- tion and economic growth. The County has mercial development in Logan County is eight public school districts as well as other expected to occur in and around the City of private options at these levels. Having institu- Lincoln. Low to medium residential uses are tions of higher learning (Lincoln College, expected to comprise most of the development Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, and activity in the smaller communities of the Heartland Community College) provides addi- County. Lincoln's residential and commercial tional educational opportunities that create sig- development continues to reach out to the lim- nificant economic and quality of life benefits its of the I-55 Corridor, particularly on the for the community. west side of the City. The recent opening of In the less urbanized areas of the the Sysco distribution facility and other proj- County, agricultural ventures are still impor- ects in this area of Lincoln bode well for its tant in driving the local economy. Logan future. County has some of the world's most produc- The 2006 Logan County Regional tive farmland and agriculture is likely to Comprehensive Plan projects Logan County's remain an important sector of the local econo- population will reach 34,000 by 2025. This my. population increase will mean approximately 2,817 new residents for the County who will require housing and community services. The Population Growth analysis of this data estimates the number of new residential units required in Logan Coun- A significant portion of the County's ty to house this population increase will be population is concentrated in the City of slightly over 1,000. This will require approxi- Lincoln. Just over 15,000 of the County's mately 300 acres of additional land for devel- 31,000 residents live in Lincoln (see Table opment, which will directly impact the chal- 3.2). However, in recent decades modest pop- lenges and opportunities for greenways as ulation gains have occurred in smaller munici- noted above. The Logan County Comprehen- palities such as Mt. Pulaski, Atlanta, Elkhart, sive Plan should be used as a guide for future Hartsburg, Emden and San Jose. The trend land use development including greenways. for moderate population growth in these smaller communities as well as Lincoln is expected to continue. Population projections

18 Logan County Greenways Plan PUBLIC OPEN SPACE (one square block) at Monroe and 21st Street and Lehn and Fink Park (one square block) at Public open space is land owned by Pekin and Beason Street. public entities and accessible to the general Scully Park and Latham Park are public. Logan County features a mix of state, located within the downtown. Scully Park has regional and municipal parks that provide many playground amenities for smaller chil- active and passive recreational opportunities dren and a large water fountain which helps for public use. These facilities offer great identify it as a public gathering place during potential in serving as linkages in a regional warm weather months. Latham Park is located network of greenways within the County. across from the public library. It features play equipment and a Spanish-style gazebo as its centerpiece. Latham Park is designed for peo- Urbanized Areas ple to take advantage of passive recreational pleasures such as walking and reading. Lincoln Memorial Park on the City's west side is adjacent to the private Elks Golf Club. It Most of Logan County's urbanized features large wooden shelters for family public open space is located in or near the activities and has two ball fields, tennis courts City of Lincoln. There are ten municipal and play equipment. All of Lincoln's munici- parks of various sizes located within Lincoln. pal parks have playground equipment. These include neighborhood and community Melrose Park on the City's near west side has parks. The more notable of these parks are: picnic facilities as well as Postville Park on Memorial Park (42 acres) at Memorial Park the southwest side. Postville Park is located Road, Mayfair Park (one square block) at on the site where Russell Post established the Southgate Street and Allison Avenue, Melrose town of Postville. The park has a replica of a Park (one square block) at Adams and 13th circa mid-1800’s building and is designated as Street, Postville Park (one square block) at a state historical site. Lehn and Fink Park is Fifth and Washington, Exchange Club Park the only neighborhood park that features a ball

Exchange Club Park, Lincoln

Logan County Greenways Plan 19 field. Exchange Club Park also has a hard sur- Mt. Pulaski's parks and downtown face basketball court. area represent potential destinations for con- Trails and greenways could be consid- sideration in developing a local trail system, ered for the Lincoln College campus and which could eventually connect to a regional adjoining neighborhoods. Lincoln also has an trail or greenway system. Two rail corridors attractive downtown that lends itself as a desti- also provide a future opportunity for addition- nation location and features two small commu- al trail or greenway development. The rail nity parks in the immediate area that provide a corridors, if rendered inactive, could provide natural connectivity for any future greenways. an additional area for trail development within The privately-owned Lincoln Lakes the community. area in the southwestern portion of the urban area is a natural greenways connection. Atlanta Another potential greenway area is Memorial Park and Elks Golf Course that are adjacent to one another on the city's southwest side. Atlanta City Park comprises one There are also greenway possibilities on the square block. It has a public bandstand, play- southeast side of Lincoln where Lincoln ground equipment, horseshoe pits and two Community High School, YMCA and the hard surface basketball courts. The City also Lincoln Park District facilities are part of the has a municipal baseball/softball complex that same neighborhood. features a regulation size baseball/softball field and three additional ball fields. The City of Atlanta has plans to expand the sports com- Mt. Pulaski plex. Expansion plans include the addition of a skateboard park and creating a smaller park Mt. Pulaski has four parks within its adjacent to the complex that will encourage municipal boundaries. The four parks are: more passive recreational activities. Route 66 Veteran’s Park, Frazier Park, North Park and Park is a small park near the Old Route 66 East Park. Veteran's Park is one of the largest Corridor and is located in the middle of the of the community's four parks and is located City across from the library and museum. on Mt. Pulaski's north side. It has large areas Atlanta also is home to the North Greens Golf for organized recreational activities such as Course, a public nine-hole golf course. soccer, football, baseball and softball. The The City also has a potential green- park also features a running track located ways corridor with portions of Old Route 66 around the perimeter of the soccer/football intersecting the Village. There are two rail field. It features public restroom facilities and corridors, one running southwest to northeast a concession stand that is open during most (Union Pacific/AMTRAK) and the other west organized activities. Near Veteran's Park is to east (Conrail) that could be used for future North Park. North Park could be considered a trails or greenway connections if appropriate community or neighborhood park. It has shel- opportunities arise. The Conrail line is no tered picnic areas, basketball and tennis courts longer operational. The City also has tourist plus playground equipment. locations with the Paul Bunyon statue down- Frazier Park is situated on the south town, its historic library and the Hawes Grain side of Mt. Pulaski on Spring Street. It has a Elevator and Museum which is adjacent to the regulation baseball facility and is used for pas- Union Pacific rail line. Other downtown sive recreation. East Park is located near Mt. attractions include the historic Palms Grill and Pulaski Elementary School. The park is home the Library Museum Annex which is on the to Mt. Pulaski's public outdoor swimming National Historic Register. These potential pool. The park features a large sheltered pic- tourist attractions should be integrated into nic area and has playground equipment. any future greenways and trail planning for

20 Logan County Greenways Plan the City. passive recreational opportunities. Activities at the park include: bird watching, fishing, Elkhart canoeing, hiking, picnicking and horseshoes. The park has many different species of trees and features the largest sycamore tree in The Village is located in the southwest Illinois. The park is also home to many portion of the County near Interstate 55. The species of wildlife including deer, raccoons, most notable natural feature of Elkhart is pheasant, quail, rabbit and hawks among oth- Elkhart Hill which is 771 feet above sea level ers. and is the highest point in Logan County. The Kickapoo Creek Park is 2,000 acres village has a small park and ball field which and is located just northwest of the Lincoln also serves as part of the elementary school city limits. The park has many natural features complex. Opportunities do exist to take advan- including a fitness/walking trail. There are tage of the Old Route 66 Corridor which several shelters for picnic activities. Various intersects the community. Elkhart Hill also species of wildlife roam the park at several has potential for passive recreation but may be points. Kickapoo Creek Park also serves as a limited due to private ownership. County nature preserve. Highway 11 also intersects the community and Chestnut-Beason Park is approximate- extends north and south. ly equidistant from the communities of Chestnut and Beason. The park is located just Others off of County Highway 6. The park's centerpiece is a pond located in the middle of the facility that is used for fishing. It also has sev- Several of Logan County's smaller eral picnic shelters. The park is primarily uti- communities have at least one small park. lized for passive recreational opportunities. Chestnut has two small community parks. A monument in the park near the business district designates it as the geographic center of SEMI-PPUBLIC OR PRIVATE OPEN SPACE the State of Illinois. New Holland also has the New Holland Legion Park which features play Semi-public or private open space usu- areas, playground equipment and areas for ally requires that payment be rendered for use picnicking. or may have use restrictions associated with Rural Logan County parks located the facility. These facilities include golf cours- outside Logan County municipalities include es and parks not owned by government agen- the Edward R. Madigan Fish and Wildlife cies. Area, Kickapoo Creek Park, both located just Although not principally designed for outside of Lincoln, Chestnut-Beason Park this purpose, golf courses can provide needed located in eastern Logan County east of habitat for flora and fauna. Some courses fea- County Highway 6 between the communities ture areas of dense forest, natural vegetation, of Chestnut and Beason (see Map 3.1). and natural or man-made water bodies in The Edward R. Madigan Fish and which certain species of plants and animals Wildlife Area is located just outside Lincoln can thrive. Such features can contribute to to the south and is the County's only state enhancing the environment while providing an park. The State of Illinois acquired the land active recreational activity for local citizens. for a state park in 1970 from the Department Elks Golf Course is Lincoln's only golf course of Mental Health. Development of the park and is private. began in 1971. It was called Railsplitter State Private or corporate recreation areas Park before its name was changed in 1995. are also considered semi-public or private The park encompasses 974 acres and offers open space. These include sportsman's clubs,

Logan County Greenways Plan 21 private fishing facilities, and parks operated connect the City on all sides. Possible connec- by private companies or agencies. The tions and destinations would include: Lincoln Lincoln Sportsman's Club in Logan County is Christian College, the Heritage-In-Flight a private facility and is located near Edward Museum, utilizing the LDC complex and con- R. Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area just off of nections to Memorial Park and Kickapoo Old Route 66. The Lincoln Lakes area is Creek County Park. The trail could also fea- another example of private open space. It feature a regional conduit by using Old Route 66 tures boating for small watercraft, swimming that could eventually connect to the City of and fishing for its residents. Atlanta in the northeast portion of the County. All trail planning should be done with the CURRENT PLANNING ACTIVITIES intent for connectivity and creating a workable network.

Local trail enthusiasts and community leaders are in the initial stages of conceptual- RAILROADS izing possible county-wide trails for Logan County. One trail concept would follow the A number of active and inactive rail- Old Route 66 Corridor with possible connec- roads are currently present within Logan tions to other regional trail systems conceived County. These lines may offer some potential for McLean County to the north and for trail development. Inactive railroad rights- Sangamon County to the south. Other dis- of-way can sometimes be obtained by local cussed trail concepts would utilize existing governments or agencies to be developed for County roads that would connect at desirable greenways and trails. The status of Logan areas on all four sides of the County. County railroads is summarized in the follow- Trail supporters in the City of Lincoln ing paragraphs. have drawn up conceptual trail routes that would establish a pedestrian/bike trail throughout the City. These concepts would

Union Pacific tracks, Elkhart

22 Logan County Greenways Plan Active Logan County Rail Lines sometime ago near Middletown but has since been removed. These former rail corridors Several active rail lines sit within may provide an opportunity for future green- Logan County. The County is currently serv- ways development. iced by rail lines operated by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Canadian ROADWAYS National/Illinois Central Railroad (CNIC). The Union Pacific line which is utilized by Street and road rights-of-way can pro- Amtrak for passenger service traverses the vide opportunities to develop trails. When County from northeast to southwest and gen- rights-of-way are sufficiently wide, it is some- erally extends parallel to U.S. Route 66. The times possible to develop off-road trails within Union Pacific rail line intersects or passes the rights-of-way to make trail connections near the communities of Elkhart, Broadwell, and expand the trail system. It is also possible Lincoln, and Atlanta. to develop over-the-road trails when traffic Two lines of the CNIC are also active volumes are relatively low and site destina- within the County. A shorter CNIC line tions are adequate. The rural and local roads extends southwest to northeast adjacent to discussed earlier may offer some potential as State Route 54 from Cornland through Mt. connectors for other greenways and trails that Pulaski and onto Chestnut before entering are officially designated as such for recre- DeWitt County. Another CNIC line extends ational purposes. However, it is unlikely these from the northwest to the southeast intersect- roads would be signed for this purpose due to ing the communities of Emden, Hartsburg, potential liability concerns. Among the state Lincoln, Mt. Pulaski and Latham. This line and interstate highways, Route 66 appears to tends to extend adjacent to Illinois State Route offer the greatest potential for on and off-road 121. trails. These roadways are summarized in the following paragraphs. Inactive Logan County Rail Lines Route 66 The Illinois Central Gulf line which extended west and east across the County U.S. Route 66 was among the most from New Holland to Lincoln and onto significant national highways in America. Beason was abandoned several years ago. First commissioned in 1926, the highway Most of the old line was sold to land owners extended more than 2,000 miles from Chicago who owned property adjacent to the line. A to Los Angeles. Within Logan County, Route majority of this property has been converted 66 extends in a northeast to southwest direc- into cropland again. There are also some tion from Atlanta to just southwest of Elkhart. interurban rail lines in Lincoln that were aban- In addition to Atlanta and Elkhart, it also trav- doned some time ago as well. There is also a erses through the communities of Lawndale, short band of abandoned track in Eminence Lincoln and Broadwell. The highway was and Atlanta Townships that was owned and decommissioned in 1977 and replaced by operated by Conrail but is no longer opera- Interstate 55. The new Interstate primarily tional. This portion of track extended through skirts around the communities that Route 66 the northeastern section of the County in a intersected. northwest-east direction intersecting the City Like many areas of the state, Route 66 of Atlanta. The portion of Union Pacific track was developed into a two-lane or four-way that goes through Atlanta is owned by the lane divided highway. Route 66 has basically City. In addition, there was an abbreviated been used for regional or by-pass travel by section of ICG track that was abandoned

Logan County Greenways Plan 23 local Logan County residents. Some of the Macon County and the City of Decatur. The southbound lanes remain, but most are aban- two-lane highway is still frequently used. doned and closed to motorized traffic. Route 66 remains a nostalgic cruising U.S. Highway 136 route for many people from around the world. Tourists from across the country and around the world come to the United States annually The highway extends in an east/west to experience the pleasure and history of direction across northern Logan County. The Route 66. Many municipalities and counties only municipality it intersects within the around the country, including McLean County County is San Jose. Emden is situated just to to the north, are taking advantage of the the south of U.S. 136 at County Highway 22. appeal of this historic roadway by making it a The highway crosses several water bodies greenway connection and tourist destination. including Sugar Creek, the West Fork of Sugar Creek, Prairie Creek and Prairie Creek Ditch. Interstate 55

Illinois Route 10 This is the primary interstate route from Chicago to Los Angeles that replaced Route 66 when it was decommissioned in Illinois Route 10 extends in a some- 1977. Most of Interstate 55 parallels the Old what winding east-west direction across the Route 66 route. Interstate 55 was designed to central portion of the County. The route basi- by-pass smaller communities in exchange for cally shadowed the old Illinois Central Gulf faster travel. Its merit as a trail or greenway Railroad tracks that traversed in the same connector is being debated and evaluated by direction but has since been abandoned and many local and state governments. removed. The route extends through the communities of New Holland and Lincoln and also passes just north of Beason. Interstate 155

State Route 54 Route I-155 connects Interstate 55 on the south near Lincoln with Interstate 74 on the north near Morton. The route runs parallel State Route 54 extends along the to State Route 121 in the northern portion of CNIC Railroad line in the southeast portion of Logan County. I-155 does not directly inter- the County. It goes through the communities sect any Logan County communities, although of Cornland, Lake Fork, Mt. Pulaski, and it passes near the Villages of Hartsburg and Chestnut. Chestnut is at the geographical cen- Emden. ter of the State of Illinois. State Route 54 intersects Route 121 in the southern end of Mt. Pulaski. It is a primary route to Clinton in Illinois Route 121 DeWitt County.

State Route 121 has long connected INTER-RREGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Logan County from northwest to southeast. The highway begins near I-155 and U.S. Highway 136 east of Emden and intersects the Logan County's proximity to a signifi- communities of Hartsburg, Lincoln, Mt. cant number of small and medium-sized met- Pulaski and Latham. It has been a popular ropolitan areas present an opportunity to con- route for Logan County residents to reach nect potential greenways and trails from Logan County to these areas. Highways, flood

24 Logan County Greenways Plan plains, railroads, and existing trails are all Springfield potential avenues that could provide greenway connections to other neighboring communities U.S. Route 66 and Interstate 55 corri- and counties. Development of the trail and dors provide some of the same opportunities greenway system within Logan County will for connections to the south as mentioned ear- provide a basis for greenway connections lier for the north. Extending a trail or creating beyond the Logan County boundaries. a greenway south to Sangamon County has the same merit as exploring connections into Bloomington-NNormal McLean County. The parallel rail corridor also extends southward. The Lincoln heritage The rights-of-way along U.S. Route is also shared by Sangamon and Logan 66 or other state or county roads may offer Counties and could provide additional oppor- some potential to connect trails or greenways tunities for trail connections and tourism. Both from Logan County to McLean County. The counties have Lincoln and other historical concept of the State Route 66 Trail conceived points of interest. The Sangamon River is one in 2005 by the League of Illinois Bicyclists, of the region's largest waterways and may Illinois Department of Natural Resources and also provide an opportunity for establishing a Illinois Department of Transportation contin- natural greenway connection with Sangamon ues to be discussed. This pedestrian/bicycle County. route could be connected to the Historical Route 66 Bikeway in McLean County near the Decatur Village of McLean. Logan County community leaders Potential greenway connections to have already been participating on regional Macon County are more limited. State Route and state committees that are discussing a 121, which intersects several Logan County State Route 66 Trail. Route 66 preservation communities, is one possibility. An active efforts offer opportunities to use the historical CNIC rail line also runs adjacent to the state highway corridor as a greenway that could route in many areas. Further study would be provide statewide benefits while promoting required to determine the feasible use of these local tourism opportunities. facilities for possible greenway connections The Union Pacific rail corridor that with Macon County. runs adjacent to U.S. Route 66 and is also used by Amtrak represents a possible trail opportunity over time that may be used in the Peoria absence of Route 66. This opportunity has also been referenced on previous pages of this Route I-155 which begins just north of document. Lincoln and provides a connection to the Water bodies such as Salt Creek, Peoria area from Interstate 55 may have some Sugar Creek and Kickapoo Creek flow potential as a greenway corridor but obstacles through both Logan and McLean Counties. to usage would have to be overcome. The Efforts to preserve and protect these water- route passes near the Logan County communi- ways in both counties offer potential for ties of Hartsburg and Emden in the northern greenways connections between the counties portion of the County. The route runs close to and could help improve water quality, pre- State Route 121 and eventually connects to I- serve plant and wildlife habitat, provide pas- 74 at Morton in Tazewell County. Potential sive recreational opportunities and reduce the for bikeways and natural areas along this cor- potential for flooding. ridor would have to be further explored in context with state policies regarding the usage

Logan County Greenways Plan 25 of interstate highway rights-of-way.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Logan County has many natural and man-made features that offer varying degrees of potential for integration into a regional system of greenways. These include: Edward R. Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area, Kickapoo Creek Park, Memorial Park, inactive railroad corridors, Route 66 Corridor, Salt Creek, Sugar Creek, Kickapoo Creek, Deer Creek, the Elkhart Hill Area and various other historical sites located throughout the County. The expected growth of the County’s larger communities could also provide opportunities for integrating greenways and trails into new development.

26 Logan County Greenways Plan Priority Future CHAPTER Greenways 4 Priority future greenways are defined for the purposes of this study as existing or 5. The greenway preserves water quality or proposed greenways that exhibit at least one has an ecological function. Examples include of the following beneficial features: flood plains, which provide for water storage and recharge, streamside forests and filter 1. Multiple communities or large segments of strips. Both streamside forests and filter strips the population directly benefit from the green- improve water quality by trapping and pre- way. The greenway must benefit or serve venting pollutants and sediment from reaching more than one community or neighborhood. waterways.

2. A new or existing greenway or trail seg- 6. The greenway prevents or protects residen- ment completes an existing greenway or trail. tial and commercial areas threatened by flood damage. 3. An addition to a greenway or trail creates a new connection between an existing green- 7. The greenway serves as buffers to provide way or trail. protection for habitat, or connects to natural areas that assist in the buffering of natural 4. The greenway preserves or creates wildlife areas from development. These buffers can habitat and migration paths for threatened, also provide a location for environmental edu- endangered or rare species. The greenway is cation, research or casual nature observation also large enough to sustain high quality plant or photography. and animal life.

Memorial Park, Lincoln

Logan County Greenways Plan 27 Exhibit 4.1 BENEFICIAL FEATURES OF PRIORITY GREENWAYS Logan County, Illinois

GREENWAY MAP # Benefits Multiple Communities Completes Greenway Creates Connection Assists Wildlife Preserves Water Prevents Flood Damage Buffers Preserves Scenic & Historic Area Provides Trail Opportunity Implementation Potential Number of Beneficial Features LINC OLN URBAN AREA LU Interstate 55 LU-1 * * * * 4 Allison Lake LU-2 **** **6 Commerce Park Area LU-3 * * ***5 1100 East Avenue LU-4 * * * ****7 Route 10/121 LU-5 * * * * * 5 Kickapoo Street LU-6 * * * 3 Fifth Street LU-7 * * * * 4 Memorial Park LU-8 * * * * * * 6 Madigan Fish & Wildlife PreserveLU-9**********10 Lincoln Lakes Area LU-10 ****** **8 Kickapoo Creek Park LU-11 **** *****9 Old Route 66 Corridor LU-12**** ***7 Union Street LU-13 * * * * 4 State Street LU-14 * * * * 4 Pekin Street LU-15 * * * * 4 Nicholson Avenue LU-16 * ****5 Lincoln College Campus LU-17 * * * * * 5 City of Lincoln Trail LU-18 * * * * * 5 Kankakee Street LU-19 * * * * 4 Wyatt Avenue LU-20* * **4 LCHS/Lincoln Park District LU-21 * * * 3 Lincoln Christian College Campus LU-22 * * * * * 5 1400 North Street LU-23 * * * * 4 NW C OUNTY NW Prairie Creek & Tributaries NW-1 * * * * * 5 U.S. 136 NW-2 * * * * 4 2600 North Street NW-3 * * * * * 5 I-155 Corridor NW-4 * * * * 4 Sugar Creek & Tributaries NW-5* **** **7 Interstate 55 NW-6 * * * * 4 1100 East Avenue NW-7 * * * * * 5 Illinois Route 10 NW-8 * * * * * 5

28 Logan County Greenways Plan Exhibit 4.1 (cont.) BENEFICIAL FEATURES OF PRIORITY GREENWAYS Logan County, Illinois

GREENWAY MAP # Benefits Multiple Communities Completes Greenway Creates Connection Assists Wildlife Preserves Water Prevents Flood Damage Buffers Preserves Scenic & Historic Area Provides Trail Opportunity Implementation Potential Number of Beneficial Features NE C OUNTY NE U.S. Route 136 NE-1 * * * * 4 Sugar Creek/West Fork NE-2* **** ***8 City of Atlanta Trail NE-3 * * * * 4 North Greens Area NE-4 * * * * * * 6 Old Route 66 Corridor NE-5 * * * * * * 6 Interstate 55 NE-6 * * * * 4 Kickapoo Creek NE-7 * **** ***8 2150 East Avenue NE-8 * * * * * 5 Deer Creek NE-9* **** ***8 Illinois Route 10 NE-10 * * * 3 SE C OUNTY SE Deer Creek SE-1* ********9 Illinois Route 121 SE-2 * * * 3 1250 East Avenue SE-3 * * * * * 5 CNIC Rail Corridors SE-4 * * * * * 5 Salt Creek & Tributaries SE-5* **** ***8 1500 East Avenue SE-6 * * * * * 5 Illinois Route 54 SE-7 * * * * 4 Downtown Mt. Pulaski SE-8 * * * * * 5 Lake Fork & Tributaries SE-9* **** ** 7 Hunter Slough SE-10 * * * * * 5 1800 East Avenue SE-11 * * * * * 5 2150 East Avenue SE-12 * * * * * 5 950 North Street SE-13 * * * * * 5 SW C OUNTY SW 1250 North Street SW-1 * * * * * 5 50 East Avenue SW-2 * * * * * 5 100 East Avenue SW-3 * * * * * 5 Pike Creek SW-4 * * * * * 5 1100 North Street SW-5 * * * * * 5 Salt Creek & Tributaries SW-6* **** ***8 Interstate 55 SW-7 * * * * 4 Old Route 66 Corridor SW-8 * * * * * * 6 Union Pacific Rail Corridor SW-9 * * * * * 5 Elkhart Hill Area SW-10 * * * * 4 Wolf Creek SW-11 * * * 3 600 East Avenue SW-12 * * * * *5 600 North Street SW-13 * * * * * 5 700 North Street SW-14 * * * * * 5 Lake Fork & Tributaries SW-15* ***** * 7

Logan County Greenways Plan 29 8. Protects important scenic vistas and his- The following text describes priority toric areas from development. future greenways that were determined to have at least six beneficial features. The character- 9. Provides an area that is suitable for trail istics of each greenway are summarized, development which could result in improved whereas implementation methods will be dis- access to trails, open space or recreational cussed in Chapter 5. facilities. In order to better facilitate analysis, the County was divided into the following 10. The trail or greenway has potential for planning areas: Lincoln Urban Area, implementation. There is not any apparent Northwest Logan County, Northeast Logan "use" conflicts, ownership issues or major County, Southeast Logan County and design problems that would prevent the trail Southwest Logan County. Planning area maps or greenway from being developed. are also included in this chapter that show geographic locations of these priority green- The County’s greenway resources ways. were evaluated on the basis of the above criteria. The higher the number of beneficial fea- LINCOLN URBAN AREA tures identified, the higher the priority. However, changing circumstances may alter the priority rating. This sometimes occurs Of the twenty-four priority greenways when a railroad abandonment becomes immi- identified for the Lincoln Urban Area, seven nent or other trail development opportunities were determined to provide at least six benefi- arise. cial features. These include: Madigan Fish Each priority greenway is listed in and Wildlife Area, Kickapoo Creek Park, Exhibit 4.1 along with its corresponding bene- Lincoln Lakes Area, Route 66, Allison Lake, ficial features and map number. The locations Union Pacific/Amtrak Rail Corridor, and of natural priority greenways within the Memorial Park (see Exhibit 4.2). Each of County are graphically illustrated in Map 4.1. these is discussed in more detail and in the

Kickapoo Creek Park

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Madigan Fish & Wildlife Area Kickapoo Creek Park is the largest park in the County. Besides having all the Logan County's lone state park is amenities present that would qualify it as a located just southwest of the City of Lincoln high priority greenway, the park also has a (see Map 4.2). Designed as a refuge for strategic location just to the north of the City wildlife, the park is also a place to embrace of Lincoln (see Map 4.2). Kickapoo Creek recreational activities such as fishing, canoe- flows into the park and is a primary natural ing, hiking and horseshoes. The park is scenic feature. The park was also designed as a with a variety of tree and plant species preservation area for flora and wildlife. A throughout its 900 plus acres. A portion of portion of Route 66 borders the park on the Salt Creek also meanders through the park as south, making it a natural connection and des- it flows to the west. The significant natural tination for trails. cover and wetlands are positive features associated with this potential greenway. Its loca- Lincoln Lakes Area tion adjacent to Route 66 and Lincoln Lakes also makes it a natural connector for a larger Although a private development, the system of potential trails and greenways that Lincoln Lakes Area could be used as an could be developed. important connection for extending or com- The establishment of the park as a nat- pleting a greenways system on Lincoln's south ural area is important to maintain. The Fish and southwest sides. Lincoln Lakes is located and Wildlife Area is not only important to just outside Lincoln's corporate limits on the maintain for its intended purpose but should south and is just east of Edward Madigan Fish be considered a priority greenway for its and Wildlife Area, Logan County's only state example of fostering land stewardship and park (see Map 4.2). It also accounts for over ecological education. fifty percent of Logan County’s pond acreage.

Madigan State Park near Lincoln

Logan County Greenways Plan 37 The subdivision was connected to the public enhance leisure and tourism opportunities. The street system when it was built. route is also a natural connector for potential Its location would easily connect to local greenways or trails that may be planned. the Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area and a It could also be utilized to connect to regional potential trail along Route 66 on the south end trail systems within or outside Logan County of Lincoln. A portion of Salt Creek meanders as more greenways and trails are developed in close by the area. There are also possibilities the future. for future trail development that could take advantage of the area's geography and the Allison Lake connections it provides to natural sites nearby. Lincoln Lakes also has several appealing natural features that establishes it as a primary Allison Lake is a significant man- location for future greenway development. made water body that is located east of However, plans for this area should involve Interstate 55 and north of Highway 121 in the property owners of the Lincoln Lakes northwest Lincoln (see Map 4.2). It is appeal- development. ing as a potential future trail connection. The lake is also an important drainage area and provides important habitat for wildlife. Route 66

Memorial Park Route 66 provides significant opportunities for greenway development (see Map 4.2). The Route continues to be an attractive Located on the southwest side of the international tourist destination and corridor urban area, Memorial Park is the City's with little sign of slowing. As the state bike- largest urban park (see Map 4.2). Its location way trail system develops over time, the corri- and attributes make it a natural destination and dor is planned to become the primary connec- connection with other open spaces in the area tor for a statewide trail that will further that include: Elks Golf Course, Old Union Cemetery, and Route 66. It is also located

Route 66 near Atlanta

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Logan County Regional Planning Commission. 1 Miles near a private elementary school and is within Sugar Creek/West Fork short distance of the Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area to the southeast and Commerce Sugar Creek/West Fork in the Park to the northwest. Memorial Park should Northeast could become a vital link in a be considered as a primary destination for regional greenway system. McLean County greenway connectivity in the future. It is also has already designated Sugar Creek among its located near one of the primary targeted important potential greenways and is consider- growth areas for the urban area. ing it as part of its future trail system. It is an important waterway with a significant amount NORTHWEST LOGAN COUNTY of timber along its route in this portion of Logan County. This area of Logan County features few potential greenway corridors that could be Kickapoo Creek considered priority. However, a portion of Sugar Creek does flow into West Lincoln and This stream flows east into Logan Sheridan Townships (see Map 4.3). Other County from DeWitt County (see Map 4.4). townships in this sector include Prairie Creek Kickapoo Creek passes near or through sever- and Orvil. al natural areas in the County and connects with others in neighboring counties. Sugar Creek and Tributaries Naturalists throughout the area and the state have targeted the creek for preservation due to Sugar Creek flows from McLean its importance in maintaining flora and fauna County into Logan County from the northeast indigenous to the State of Illinois and potential to the southwest and bisects Illinois Route 10 environmental issues that are associated with and I-155 in this quadrant (see Map 4.3). The the creek. It is a stream that assists greatly in creek is considered a vital waterway and the process of groundwater recharge along its should be preserved as a priority greenway. It path. is important for flood prevention and could Land owners along its path should be provide for a number of potential greenway encouraged to engage in conservation prac- linkages along its path. The creek is also tices through the USDA Conservation Reserve important to the ecology of the County by Program or applicable programs. providing natural drainage and wildlife habi- Conservation easements or transfer of devel- tat. opment rights may also be appropriate tools in preserving the creek.

NORTHEAST LOGAN COUNTY Deer Creek

The Northeast portion of Logan County includes the townships of Eminence, Deer Creek flows into Logan County Atlanta, Oran and a significant portion east of at Oran Township from DeWitt County (see Lincoln beyond the City of Lincoln urban Map 4.4). The creek has been recognized as area (see Map 4.4). Six greenways were possessing some of the best habitat in the State determined to have six or more beneficial fea- of Illinois for maintaining species of fresh tures for this area. These include: Sugar water fish. The creek has many important fea- Creek/West Fork, Kickapoo Creek, Deer tures that contribute to its priority ranking (see Creek, North Greens Area, Clear Creek, and Exhibit 4.1). The water levels of the creek the Route 66 Corridor. remain stable throughout the year, and it flows through and near significant natural

Logan County Greenways Plan 43 areas. It eventually flows into Salt Creek just important in contributing to the natural south of Lincoln. drainage system of the area and assists in wildlife preservation. North Greens Area Route 66 Corridor The North Greens Area is located in the northeast portion of Atlanta and includes The Route 66 Corridor and its poten- the North Greens Golf Course and the sur- tial for greenway and trail development also rounding open areas (see Map 4.4). It is adja- extends into this section of the County (see cent to Route 66 and the Union Pacific Map 4.4). Railroad line and has significant potential for future trail development. The golf course SOUTHEAST LOGAN COUNTY could provide for wildlife habitat by planting trees and natural native prairie grass species as improvements to the course are made over Southeast Logan County includes the time. A trail system could also be developed townships of Aetna, Chester, Mount Pulaski in the adjacent residential development. and Laenna and Lake Fork (see Map 4.5). Deer Creek is a greenway designated for priority status in this sector, but its value has Clear Creek already been discussed in the previous text. Salt Creek and Lake Fork are two other Located in Atlanta Township, the waterways in this area that should be consid- creek serves as a tributary of Kickapoo Creek ered for priority status (see Exhibit 4.1). and also intersects Old Route 66 near the Logan County/McLean County border (see Salt Creek Map 4.4). The creek has enticing potential as a trail or trail connector while possessing many natural features. The creek is also This proposed greenway flows from

North Greens Golf Course, Atlanta

44 Logan County Greenways Plan DeWitt County on the east into Aetna Primary areas to consider for priority green- Township. This is a waterway with regional way status include the Route 66 Corridor, Salt importance. It is not only a primary waterway Creek and Lake Fork and its tributaries. All of Logan County but is an important tributary of the beneficial features of these potential for Clinton Lake in DeWitt County which is greenways have been addressed elsewhere in home to a nuclear power facility. Salt Creek this document. also flows through two state parks (Weldon Springs State Park in DeWitt County and Madigan Fish and Wildlife Area in Logan County). The stream has historical significance to Logan County and is important to its residents for a variety of reasons. It has been a primary recreation area for countless years and is important in maintaining the natural ecology of the area. The creek helps maintain the water quality in the several bodies of water into which it flows. It is significant for assisting in the prevention of flooding and providing and maintaining wildlife habitat. Its future potential as a greenway and greenway connector is obvious, and steps should be taken to maintain this status. The creek also boasts several scenic vistas along its path.

Lake Fork

Lake Fork is a creek with a significant tributary system. The north fork of the creek flows in a northeast to southwest direction from Laenna Township to Lake Fork Township (see Map 4.4). Lake Fork basically follows an east to west flow in Lake Fork and Mt. Pulaski Townships until veering north into Elkhart Township. Not considered a large waterway by most standards, Lake Fork does have some potential to be utilized as a natural area if a need arises. It is important since it connects to other neighboring counties (DeWitt and Macon) and also connects to other major waterways (Salt and Deer Creeks) and natural areas throughout the County.

SOUTHWEST LOGAN COUNTY

Elkhart, Broadwell, Corwin and Hurlbut Townships make up the Southwest section of the Logan County planning area.

Logan County Greenways Plan 45 46 Logan County Greenways Plan

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B County Boundary Sources: street and road data from Logan County Highway Department; hydrology from U.S. Geological Survey and aerial photography provided by Logan County Regional Planning Commission; jurisdictional boundaries from City of Lincoln, City of Atlanta, City of Mt. Pulaski, Village of Elkhart and Logan County; 1 0.5 0 1 2 3 4 additional data based on aerial photography provided by $ Logan County Regional Planning Commission. Miles Implementation CHAPTER5 The Logan County Greenways Plan cre- METHODS AND STRATEGIES ates a vision, examines resources and identifies future priority greenways. The document There are several methods and strategies is intended to serve as an advisory guide for available to aid in the implementation of pro- public and private actions concerning green- posed greenways. These include the use of way preservation and development within regulatory ordinances and a variety of acquisi- Logan County. The Logan County tion, ownership and financial strategies. Each Comprehensive Plan and Greenways of these is summarized in the following para- Committee developed goals and objectives and graphs. evaluated important background information. Considered in the Logan County Comprehensive Greenway Plan analysis were Regulatory Ordinances existing development patterns, future growth areas and existing greenway resources and Regulatory ordinances provide a legal future needs for greenways. Priority future framework for actions to implement proposed greenways were also identified. In fulfilling greenways. Zoning and subdivision regula- the purpose of the plan as a guide for the tions and the official map are examples of region-wide development and preservation of regulatory measures that can be utilized to greenways, this chapter provides a summary guide development, including greenway of the available methods and responsibilities preservation and development. for implementation and concludes with a plan of action.

Kickapoo Indian Village, Memorial Park

Logan County Greenways Plan 49 Zoning Ordinances plan. It is an important tool for greenways planning and development as well by restrict- The zoning ordinance is one of the most ing development along streams and zoning for effective means of implementing a land use public use areas. Logan County and most of

EXHIBIT 5.1 Summary of Acquisition Strategies for Greenways

METHOD EXPLANATION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Agreements between agency and land owner Avoid purchase and other options, gain Only applicable with current landowner. It Management Agreements for a specific purpose desired rights with minimal debate. could be revoked at anytime.

Low cost use of land. Landowner receives Leases do not provide equity and affords Land Leases Short and long-term land rental. income and retains control of property. limited control. Does not assure protection.

For fee agreements that specify specific uses. An equitable arrangement that is specified to It is time and resource-base limited. Does not Permits & Licenses Time frames are usually involved. uses. provide a long-term method of protection.

Provides the public with the right to access Avoids need to purchase land from the owner. Can be time limited. Usually restricts other Right Of Public Access and use a parcel of land for a specific purpose. Provides right of public access and use. uses. Does not prevent owner from exercising Easements Land use is usually limited to a defined area. Excellent for greenways. other property rights.

A partial interest in property usually for Inexpensive method for protection of natural Public access is usually restricted. Easement purpose of protecting natural resources, Public resources. Landowner retains all other must be enforced. Easement may lower resale Conservation Easements access not always a component. property rights and land remains on tax roll. value.

Same as conservation easement. Most useful Defines protection of historic elements of Preservation Easements for historic landscapes. landscape. Can restrict public access. Must be enforced.

Provides opportunity to combine several Can be difficult for all landowners to agree to public interests with one agreement. Easier for multiple uses along an entire greenway Accommodates multiple uses within one landowner to understand one request than corridor. A rejection by a single landowner Joint Use Easements easement type. multiple requests. can jeopardize the entire request.

New landowner has full control of land. Outright purchase of full title to land and all Allows for permanent protection and public Cost of purchase may be outside local ability. Fee Simple Purchase rights associated with its use. access. Removes land from tax rolls.

A donation by landowner of all or partial interest in the property. Land usually managed Provides permanent protection without public Receiving agency must be able to accept Donations & Gifts by private preservation organization. expenditures. Tax benefits to seller. donation and be capable of managing land.

Full title is purchased then leased back to Essentially land banking. Income is derived Lease may restrict public access. Land must be Purchase & Lease Back previous owner. Subject to restrictions. from lease payments. Owner is not displaced. leased for appropriate uses.

Process is part donation and part sale. Tax benefits to seller. Difference in sales price Seller must be agreeable to terms of sale. Bargain Sale Property is sold at less than fair market value. is considered charitable gift. Bargain price may be inflated.

Option Or First Right of Owner agrees to provide first right of purchase Secures future right of purchase. It provides Does not ensure that owner will sell or sell for Refusal to designated agency or individual. time frame to negotiate terms with seller. a reasonable price.

Landowner derives financial benefit from Purchase Of Development Local or state government purchases the rights selling rights. Lower property value reduces Rights of more intensive land use from current owner.taxes. Can be a costly endeavor.

The right of government to take private property for public purpose upon payment of Provides tool for acquiring essential or Costly and can create a negative perception of Eminent Domain & just compensation. Can be exercised for dangerous properties. Usually done if other government and the concept of greenways. Condemnation recreational purposes in some states. options are not possible or acceptable. Only recommended as a last resort.

Can lower taxes for seller if transaction seller- Allows for buyer to pay for property over time financed. Buyer can negotiate better sale terms Long-term financial commitment usually up to Installment Sale . . thirty years. Mortgage lien usually involved.

Swapping of developable land for property Relatively cost free if trade parcel is donated. Owners must be willing to swap land that is of Land Exchange with high conservation value. Reduces capital gains tax for original owner. comparable value. Can be time consuming.

As a condition of obtaining subdivision approval, local government requires New construction and development pays for itsAcquisition funds depend on the specific developers to pay a fee or dedicate land to a impact on open space. Good method during development. Difficult to calculate fair costs. Exaction municipal trust for open space. high-growth periods. Not effective during recessionary periods.

Under legally established program, owner can Cost of preservation absorbed by property Difficult to implement and can be considered transfer development rights from one property owner who purchases rights. Allows local controversial. Often difficult to identify areas Transfer Of Development to another designated to support increased government to direct density and growth away where increased density is desirable. Must be Rights density. from sensitive landscapes. established by legislation.

Flexible and negotiable with landowner and Permits high density development in parts of developer. Can reduce construction and Open space may not be linked. Processing time Cluster Development subdivision to protect sensitive lands. infrastructure costs. for development may be increased.

A zone defined by permitted impacts as Development occurs based on comprehensive Criteria can be hard to establish. Development Performance Zoning opposed to permitted uses. environmental strategy plans more expensive to prepare.

50 Logan County Greenways Plan its communities have zoning ordinances in Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit land place. and water conservation organization that protects land through partnerships. Identified Subdivision Regulations strategies are summarized in Exhibit 5.1. This table can serve as a reference guide when considering the acquisition of land for greenways. Subdivision regulations can be another effective means for implementing greenway recommendations. Subdivision regulations set Ownership Strategies standards for street design, sidewalks, utilities and community facilities. Subdivision regula- With determining how to acquire a partic- tions can positively affect the overall patterns ular greenway, another important aspect must and quality of development. These regulations be addressed: who will own it? There are may also require land dedication or a "fee in three avenues of ownership—private, public or lieu of land" for parks, open space or trails in mixed ownership. If the greenway will be newly developed areas. Storm water detention used for a recreational purpose or is used as a basins may also be required through these reg- mode of transportation, local government ulations that can also be designed to serve a would be the likely owner. However, if the recreational facility component as well. greenway serves an environmental purpose Subdivision regulations can also provide stan- such as wetlands protection, wildlife habitat dards for greenway and trail development. protection, or stream preservation, a private entity such as a land trust may be the most Official Map appropriate owner of the greenway. There may be instances where multiple or joint ownership of a greenway will occur, particularly The official map gives a municipality or for regional greenway systems or where local government body the means to reserve implementation and management costs are a land designated for public purposes for a one- burden for one entity. A number of potential year period from the time that such land is ownership strategies have been identified in subdivided. The map identifies the approxi- Exhibit 5.2 as a guide for ownership consider- mate locations for future public facilities, ations. which may include parks, greenways and trails. By doing so, it serves notice that the municipality or other applicable government Financial Strategies body intends to acquire the designated land for the stated purpose. Even the most well conceived plans for the acquisition, implementation and manage- Acquisition Strategies ment of greenways will fail if financial resources are not available or a strategy has not been developed to pay for the greenway. The acquisition process is sometimes the A plan must be developed to ascertain the cost difficult aspect of implementing a greenways of a greenway, what program or organization plan. A variety of acquisition options are will fund it, and the method of obtaining available for consideration. Some of these are funds. There are two fundamental types of widely accepted and often used with success. greenway funding sources—the public sector A number of less common but innovative and the private sector. Public sector funding options are also available and may be effective sources have been identified and summarized in certain situations. Potential acquisition in Exhibits 5.4 and 5.5. Private sector funding strategies have been identified by the sources have also been identified and summa-

Logan County Greenways Plan 51 rized by the Conservation Fund in Exhibit IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES 5.3. These tables provide a reference source for review when considering funding possibili- A coordinated effort will be required to ties for specific greenways. achieve the goals and objectives of the Regional Greenways Plan. Government agencies, private organizations, individuals and public-private partnerships may all be part of the equation for successful implementation.

EXHIBIT 5.2 Suggested Comparative Ownership Strategies

METHOD EXPLANATION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES PRIVATE OWNERSHIP Property owners retain title to Adjacent landowners retain full land. Large funds for land Easements can restrict certain title to land and provide for purchase not needed. Land types of greenways activities Individual Landowners greenway through easements. remains on the tax rolls. depending on the landowner.

A national or regional non-profit A non-profit organization can If a land trust does not exist, a organization can acquire and holdfinance an immediate acquisition community must establish one. A land until a local land trust has and hold property until a land hasland trust needs solid support, Land Trusts & Non-Profit been established or is able to been established or has acquired funding and the ability to manage Organizations finance acquisition. funds. land.

Corporation provides for Greenway is provided at no Corporation may restrict use of greenway as part of the expense to local taxpayer. greenway to the public or may Corporate Landowners development process. Managed by corporation. choose to deny access.

PUBLIC OWNERSHIP Local government can be more Acquisition by county or flexible about the type of open Limited local funds and expertise Local Governments municipality. space it requires. limit the number of acquisitions.

Acquisition by state agencies such as Department of Environmental Statewide bond acts can provide Protection; Office of Parks, significant funding resources for Recreation and Historical important open space acquisitions Preservation; Department of throughout a state. Provides Government may miss acquisition Environment, Health and Natural revolving loan funds to leverage opportunities due to long time State Governments Resources. non-profit activity. frame for acquisition approval.

Acquisition by National Park Acquisitions are limited due to Service, Forest Service, U.S. Fish Acquisition is at federal level thusagencies' specific criteria for & Wildlife Service or Bureau of eliminating financial obligation acquisition. Acquisitions need Federal Governments Land Management. for locality. Congressional authorization.

MIXED OWNERSHIP A private nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization can can help to implement enter the real estate market easier government programs by than government and can sell to acquiring and holding land until government at less than fair Must have public agency willing a public agency is able to market value if property was and able to buy within reasonable Public/Private Ownership purchase. acquired through bargain sale. time frame.

Multi-jurisdictional partnership Combining strengths of agencies Development and management between local, state, and federal enables greenway development to structure can be cumbersome. Public/Public Ownership agencies. Inter-agency projects. occur. Partnership may not be equal.

Private sector can realize tax Government works with private benefits from participation. Cost Cost equity and management Private/Private Ownership sector to implement greenway. share good for public. could be cumbersome.

SOURCE: The Conservation Fund, Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design, and Development, 1993.

52 Logan County Greenways Plan Responsibility for implementing the plan lies Government with governments (local, state and federal), private developers, private landowners, inter- Implementing the Regional Greenways ested citizens, interest groups, and the Logan Plan will require participation from local, County Regional Planning Commission. state and federal governments. Intergovernmental cooperation should be encouraged in any plan implementation efforts. Federal Government

The policies of the federal government

EXHIBIT 5.3 Private Sector Funding Sources

TYPE EXPLANATION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Foundations, usually private or corporate, provide grant Variety of foundations creates Foundation grants may have money for greenway related a wealth of possible funding strict guidelines regarding use Foundation Grants projects. opportunities of funds and project scope. Corporations provide grants of funds and resources for greenway related projects. Corporate giving for these Corporations provide financial Corporations seek out types of projects are often support and often volunteer community service projects committed quickly and there Company Grants employee time as well. such as greenways. may be competition for funds. Funding derived from individual fundraising campaigns or through membership drives through Membership or nonprofit nonprofit organizations which Excellent method for raising organizations may require solicit members as a way to funds and building support for significant time and effort Individual Donors & raise money and support for a greenways organization and investments in order to Memberships projects. its projects. succeed. This is a strategy to create a plan to address the donation of gifts while the donor is alive after he or she dies. These types of gifts involve a donor granting a greenway nonprofit organization or land trust ownership in a stock. The grantor receives earnings from the stock while he or she is These techniques can be useful alive. After death, the in protecting private land that principle and earnings of the has important greenway stock go to the nonprofit features. This strategy can organization or land trust. A offer tax and investment Can be complex issues. These Planned Giving, Life- donor may bequest money in a advantages to the donor and gifts usually require financial Income Gifts, and Bequests will. also the recipient. and legal expertise. Organizations that perform community service activities or sponsor projects such as greenways. Examples of Service clubs can sponsor Getting commitment from a service clubs include the Lions fundraising activities and service club to assist in a Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis provide volunteers and greenways project can be Service Clubs Club, etc. publicity. difficult. These events are designed to Special events and fundraising These activities can require raise funds through activities can be successful in raising significant time and resources Special Events & such as benefit dinners, races, money and creating publicity and may not provide a Fundraisers tours and related activities. for greenways. significant return. Source: The Conservation Fund

Logan County Greenways Plan 53 have a major influence on the development of projects in Logan County will likely come greenways nationally. The federal government from grant programs. These include programs provides funding programs to assist local gov- sponsored by the Illinois Department of ernments in developing greenway systems and Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois to individual landowners to encourage conser- Department of Transportation (IDOT). The vation practices. These funding programs may state provides technical assistance to local come directly from federal agencies such as governments for developing greenways. the United States Department of Agriculture or may be distributed through state agencies Local Government such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (see Exhibit 5.3). Local government has the major responsibility for implementing the Regional State Government Greenways Plan. Logan County and its municipalities have taken an important step in devel- State government has the responsibility of oping the greenways plan. Upon completion interpreting federal policy and applying it to of the plan and the public input process, the state agencies and local government. State Logan County Regional Greenways Plan government must address the need for green- should be adopted as official policy for greenways and offer resources to local governments way development within the respective gov- to encourage the development of greenway ernmental jurisdictions of Logan County. The plans and projects on a local or regional level. greenways plan should also be considered in A significant portion of funding for greenway the evaluation of future development projects

EXHIBIT 5.4 Public Sector Funding Sources

Source Explanation Advantages Disadvantages Public agencies provide Substantial funding can Selling the project to funding and sponsor the usually be contributed for elected officials, general greenway. Usually, agencies Direct Loan Agency Fund greenways and such public, etc. Also stiff are parks & recreation agencies can commit future competition for funds departments or public works funding & support. among agencies. /engineering departments. Federal and state governments offer grant Wide variety of grant programs to government programs available. Can Competition for funds, State & Federal Grant Programs agencies and non-profit tailor to a specific need or regulation and red tape. organizations for greenway purpose. acquisition and development. Agencies can receive Some highway, flood Public agencies enter into a benefits from joint ventures. control sewer projects and Public Agency/Joint Venture partnership to fund a An example is a trail within utility corridors may not greenway project. a water reclamation district be compatible with a sewer line right of way. greenway. New sources of tax revenue The use of funds for private and other benefits are Development and real estate development in Joint Development Techniques created through public/ management may be conjunction with new public private cooperative cumbersome. facilities. agreements. Financing through special Can be excellent method of Additional taxes and taxes, taxing districts, raising considerable special taxing districts can Public Finance bonds or tax increment revenue for greenway be unpopular methods of financing. projects. raising revenue.

SOURCE: The Conservation Fund

54 Logan County Greenways Plan EXHIBIT 5.5 Local Government Public Financing Techniques

Source Explanation Special Tax A special tax can include: special sales tax, sales tax on specific goods, hotel/motel tax, or special tax on real estate transactions.

Improvement Districts Method of raising revenue for a greenway by establishing a special taxing district. The assessment is usually a property tax that is levied within the district. Revenues are used for funding improvements in a specific geographic area.

Special Assessment Districts Used for projects such as street improvements, outdoor plazas, landscaping and park improvements.

Selling Bonds Common finance approach; public sector borrows money. Most communities have limits on the amount of debt that can be incurred.

General Obligation Bonds These bonds are repaid with general revenue income that a community receives through tax revenues. It can be a controversial process.

Revenue Bonds Revenues that are generated by financed projects pay for these bonds. These are best used when financing greenway amenities such as fee- for-use facilities.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) A TIF pays off a bond from the increased revenue generated on property adjacent to a public improvement such as a greenway. Source: The Conservation Fund so that provisions are made for greenways. Private Landowners Local government should also be prepared to provide funding support for continued plan- Voluntary efforts on the part of private ning, coordination and development of green- landowners can assist in preserving natural ways. Local government will likely be areas and waterways. Private landowners involved in the acquisition, implementation should be encouraged to take advantage of and management of certain greenways. various state and federal programs that provide financial incentives to landowners who Private Developers implement conservation practices. Many potential greenways tend to be located on pri- Private developers should consider the vate property. Every effort should be made to Regional Greenways Plan and make every include this constituency in the greenway plan- effort to incorporate greenway concepts and ning and implementation process. This should designs into their developments. Dedication include educating landowners about conserva- requirements may also be used to support tion, watershed practices and programs to greenway development. encourage their participation.

Logan County Greenways Plan 55 y r t s e r o F n o d i t n a a l v r X m e r s a e F r P n o i t a l i v o r X XX XX e S s n o C E S O P R U n & o P i r

t e d a t n r a a X o l t t W s e e W R & n

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r l b XXXX e a a r s H u e t r a P N s e v i t E M G n U A e M E I c R N I n C I M A

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T E l I N L a I W r B O I u D G t I N a L A E L N T C A T N O C IDNRUSFWS CASA, TAIEPA Resources Natural of Department Illinois Service Wildlife & Fish States United Assessor County Assessments, of Supervisor Agency Township Protection Environmental Illinois Assessor corp. ltd. pub. corporation entity public limited $150 Clerk County s m a r g o r P M

A s e R c G m n O a a R r t P g s i o s s r e s P v i

A t e

n l r e a a c c h i n S n I

t h s c x o e a C T T Preferential Assessment of Farmland SA, CA Resources Natural of Department Illinois SOURCE: Ag ConservationAg Loans ASCS Treasurer State ConservationEmergency independent/corp. independent/corp. 10 years acre one ASCS Easements with Assessment EasementsConservation Exemption of Prairie Path LeasesException of Lease to Park District CA SA, Forestry Mgt. Plan Co. Board of Review Preserves Nature Illinois Co. Board of Review IDNROpen Space Assessment IDNR Defined: IDNRAbbreviations X SA, CA pub. ind., ASCS X permanent Service Conservation & Stabilizations Agricultural X 10 years 5 acres X X X ind. X 10 acres X individual X X X Conservation ReserveConservation Forest StewardshipForestry Incentive Act Dev. Forestry Ill. Wildlife for Partners Stewardship Initiatives ASCSTrees, Shrubs & Seedlings ReserveWetland IDNR IDNR ASCS USFWS/IDNR IDNR public Assist. & Program corp., ind., Management IDNRForest 10-30 years Landmark Heritage National IDNR acre one ind. Land HabitatPrivate pub. ltd., ind., Private Waters ind. ASCSRegister of Land Reserves & Water IDNR 10 years ind.,corp. IDNR pub., corp. ind., 5 acres 10 years IDNR 10 acre years one 10 years 10 years ind. 10 acres IDNR 5 acres 5 acres ind. Areas of Common Subdivision permanent XTax Bills Optional for Less than 2 acres Mgt. Waste Livestock X for Tax Certified IEPA TA, CA SA, X X X X ind. X X X acre one X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

56 Logan County Greenways Plan Certified Local Governments Program match varies match money local 20% 80% federal money; 20% local money 60% federal money; 40% local money Grant Illinois Bicycle Path 50% state money; 50% local money 50% state money; 50% local money (LAWCON) Land & Water Conservation Fund 50% federal money; 50% local money 50% federal money; 50% local money Fund (SYMMS) 100% federal money federal 100% money federal 100% National Recreation Trails deral Transit Act (FTA) 80% federal money; 20% local money under ITEP under FUNDING PROGRAMS (OGL) Fe Operation Green Light match varies match varies match varies match varies match EXHIBIT 5.7 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money Federal And State Funding Sources For Transportation Enhancement Activities Program (STP) Scenic Byways Surface Transportation 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money Program (CMAQ) Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money (ITEP) Enhancement Program Illinois Transportation 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money 80% federal money; 20% local money ITEP excludes land acquisition guidelines. LAWCON follows FTA-bicycle program and OSLAD pedestrian State facilities related to transit projects acquisition. only land Includes LAWCON- CLGP-restricted to Historic Register Properties only Archaeological planning and research and mitigation of water pollution eligible within ISTEA but not priority Note: Archaeological planning and research CATEGORIES Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles Acquisition of scenic easements and historical sites Scenic or historic highway programs Landscaping and other scenic beautification Historic preservation Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals) Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian or bike trails) Control & removal of outdoor advertising Mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff SOURCE: Illinois Department of Transportation of Department Illinois SOURCE:

Logan County Greenways Plan 57 Interested Citizens CONTINUING COORDINATION

Successful implementation of the Logan To make the successful transition from County Regional Greenways Plan should plan formulation to implementation will involve the participation of interested citizens. require continuing coordination of plans, pro- When the public has a clear vision, enthusi- grams and activities. While the plan provides asm and support can often be a major factor to a general framework for greenway develop- move a greenways plan forward. Interested ment, the implementation phase requires that citizens may include bicycle and trail enthusi- priority future greenways be targeted and nec- asts, members of various preservation associa- essary actions be taken toward development. tions, educators, ecologists, naturalists and This will require thorough analysis and con- others who understand the importance of sensus building in the selection of targeted greenways to the community. greenways and dedication and perseverance to see the projects through to successful comple- Special Interest Groups tion. One or more organizations with the capabilities, willingness and legal authority to accept public and private funds, acquire prop- Special interest groups are usually well erty and maintain greenways will likely be organized and can offer valuable assistance necessary. with greenway projects. They can become There is no organization within Logan “cheerleaders” within the community and may County identified that meets all of these even be able to provide funds and labor for requirements. Although many organizations, greenway projects. Some of these groups that including local governments, have some of the have a not-for-profit designation may also be capabilities to meet many of the requirements, willing to acquire and manage greenways. none have within their respective missions the These groups include conservation and inde- countywide coordination, development and pendent outdoor recreation organizations and management of greenways. Nor have any pri- clubs. vate organizations with the required capabilities expressed interest in expanding their roles Logan County Regional Planning Commission in this manner. Continuing coordination of greenway development is vital for the success of the The Logan County Regional Planning Logan County Regional Greenways Plan. Commission has the major responsibility for Some regional planning commissions in the carrying out the Regional Greenways Plan. State of Illinois have created greenway coali- The Regional Planning Commission is also tions or advisory committees for this purpose. responsible for long range comprehensive and These committees can be comprised of a transportation planning throughout the County. diverse group of members. All members nor- This authority also brings with it the ability to mally have a stake in the local greenways coordinate greenways plans and projects. The movement. The committee meets as needed Commission may also be responsible for throughout the year (at least quarterly) and reviewing major development projects to coordinates activities or projects that assist in ensure consistency with adopted land use implementing the regional greenways plan. plans. The Commission should also support Members of these committees have included the continuing coordination of implementation municipal engineers, county highway staff, efforts. mayors, bicycle and physical fitness enthusiasts, planners, zoning directors, ecologists, parks and recreation officials, bird watching

58 Logan County Greenways Plan associations, visitor bureau staff, land foundation volunteers, and soil and water district • The designated greenways management staff. It is also important to invite staff mem- organization in cooperation with the Logan bers from IDNR and IDOT to serve as County Regional Planning Commission should liaisons on the committee. perform an annual review of the Regional This or a similar option must be pursued Greenways Plan to measure progress and tar- in order to achieve the continuing coordination get implementation activities for the following that will be necessary to successfully carry out year. This may entail a short newsletter the Logan County Regional Greenways Plan. report forwarded to County government and community leaders. A comprehensive update IMPLEMENTATION PLAN of the greenways plan should be considered every five to seven years.

Following is a summary of suggested • An active public education campaign future actions that should be considered in should be carried out by the designated green- implementing the Logan County Greenways ways management organization to broaden Plan. public understanding and support for development of greenways. An effective campaign • The implementation process should begin might include a periodic newsletter and/or with the official adoption of the plan by affect- press releases that reports on progress made ed local governments. toward carrying out the greenways plan or related activities. Members of the greenways • The Logan County Regional Planning management organization should be encour- Commission should determine the entity or aged to appear before interested groups and entities that have the legal capabilities to organizations within the County to promote acquire property, manage and maintain green- the Regional Greenways Plan. ways on a countywide basis and receive and disperse funds derived from private donations, • The Logan County Planning Commission government grants and other sources. should provide or assist in providing the necessary staff and technical support to the desig- • Once this has been established, the nated greenways management organization to appointed greenways organization or manage- aid in coordinating implementation activities, ment agency assigned with overseeing the monitor progress and update the plan. implementation of the greenways plan should move forward on future priority greenways • Local Logan County governments should for the County. These targeted priority green- support implementation efforts of the plan and ways should be ones that exhibit the most ben- encourage technical support from staff. Local eficial features for the County as a whole. governments should also be prepared to pro- Care should be taken not to overlook possible vide some financial support to meet local opportunities outside of prioritized or targeted match requirements for grants or other special greenways for possible greenways develop- implementation needs as they arise. ment. • In consideration of any development proj- • The designated greenways management ect, local governments should consider the organization should evaluate and select appro- priority future greenways identified in the priate strategies for acquisition, ownership and Logan County Regional Greenways Plan and financing of targeted greenways. Every effort the need to provide greenways for future should be made to maximize the use of private development. funding sources and possible grant monies.

Logan County Greenways Plan 59 • Regulatory ordinances should be strictly enforced and be up-to-date with respect to provisions affecting greenways and dedication requirements, if applicable.

60 Logan County Greenways Plan APPENDIX Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES

LINCOLN METRO Allison Lake N/A North of Waterway Kickapoo Creek x Private Landowners 1,3,4,5,6 1,3,4,5,6 Questionable road Located within 6 Waterbody Woodlawn access natural area Road

Proposed Loop Trail N/A N/A Greenway, City Parks, x City of Lincoln, 1,2,4,6 1,2,3,4,6 Traffic conflicts, High potential for 5 Greenway Transportation Regional Parks, Logan County, State ROW widths, future greenway Artery Route 66, County of Illinois signage development Roads

Fifth Street Postville Dr. Transportation City Parks, Route x City of Lincoln 4 2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 4 Greenway Union Street Artery 66 ROW widths greenway development

Kickapoo Creek Park N/A North of Regional Park Route 66 Trail, x Logan County 1,5,6 1,2,3,4,6 None Potential greenway 9 Greenway Lincoln Loop Trail, Union linkages Parkway Street

Interstate 55 NE Lincoln SW Lincoln Roadway Route 66 Trail, x U.S. Dept. of 4 7 Questionable Interstate corridors 4 Roadway Regional Parks Transportation access, legal difficult to develop issues as greenway connectors

Kickapoo Street Route 66 N. Keokuk & Roadway Route 66, Proposed x City of Lincoln 4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 3 Roadway Logan Streets Trails funding, ROW greenway widths, private development college, land ownership

Lincoln Christian College Routes 10 & LCC campus Greenway East & South x City of Lincoln, 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4,6 Potential for future 5 Greenway Campus 121 Connector Lincoln Logan County, State greenway of Illinois development

Lincoln College N/A Ottawa Street Greenway Keokuk, Ottawa, x City of Lincoln, 1,2,3,4 1,2.3.4,6 Private college, Potential for future 5 Greenway Connector Woodlawn Road, Logan County land ownership greenway Nicholson, development additional campus- area streets

LCHS/Lincoln Park N/A Primm Road Greenway County Loop Trail x School District, Park 2,4,6 1,2,3,4,6 Land acquisition, Greenway linkage 5 Greenway District Area Connector District, YMCA, land ownership City of Lincoln

Lincoln Lakes Area N/A N/A Greenway Route 66 Trail, x Private Ownership 2,3,4,6 1,2,3.4,6 Land acquisition, Greenway linkage, 8 Lake/Greenway Connector Other proposed land ownership located within trails natural area Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES Madigan Fish & Wildlife N/A SW Lincoln State Park Route 66 Trail, x State of Illinois 1,5,6 1,2,3,4,5,6 Land ownership Natural area 10 Greenway Area Other proposed trails

Memorial Park Memorial Oakhill Drive Greenway Future proposed x City of Lincoln 1,3,4 1,2,3,4 Accessibility to Community Park 6 Greenway Park Drive Connector trails other greenway corridors

Kankakee Street Harrison Union Street Transportation Future proposed x City of Lincoln 4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 4 Roadway Street Artery trails ROW widths greenway development

Nicholson Ave. Ottawa Street I-55 Transportation Future proposed x City of Lincoln 2,4,6 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts Potential for future 5 Roadway Interchange Artery trails greenway development

Old Route 66 Corridor N/A N/A Greenway Route 66 and future x State of Illinois 1,2,4,6 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, High potential for 7 Roadway Corridor proposed trails ROW future greenway considerations development

Pekin Street Foley Street Ninth Street Transportation City parks, schools x City of Lincoln 2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 5 Roadway Artery and downtown ROW widths greenway development

Route 10/121 I-55 Chapel Drive Transportation Future proposed x City of Lincoln, 1,2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 4 Roadway Interchange Artery trails Logan County, State ROW widths greenway of Illinois development

State Street Old Route 66 West Transportation Future proposed x City of Lincoln 2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 4 Roadway Kickapoo Artery trails ROW widths greenway development

Union Street Fifth Street I-55 Transportation Future proposed x City of Lincoln, 1,2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future greenway 4 Roadway Interchange Artery trails, Route 66 Logan County ROW widths development Trail

Wyatt Ave. Primm Road Chicago Transportation Lincoln x City of Lincoln 2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future greenway 4 Roadway Street Artery Community High ROW widths development

1100 East A. N/A N/A Transportation Old Route 66 Trail, x City of Lincoln, 1,2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts Future greenway 7 Roadway Artery other future Logan County, State development proposed trails of Illinois

1400 North Street N/A N/A Transportation Old Route 66 Trail, x City of Lincoln, 1,2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts Future greenway 4 Roadway Artery other future Logan County development proposed trails Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES NORTHWEST COUNTY Prairie Creek & N/A N/A Waterway County highways ? Private 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Geographic Likely use as 5 Natural Area, Tributaries location, private natural area and Waterbody land ownership floodway

Illinois Route 10 North Holland Lincoln Transportation Future proposed x State Of Illinois 1,3,4,5,6 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts Future greenway 5 Roadway Artery trails development

I-155 Corridor 1250 North 2800 North Transportation Future proposed ? State Of Illinois, U.S 1,4 1,2,3 Traffic conflicts Future greenway 4 Roadway Artery trails . Department of development Transportation

Interstate 55 1500 North 1800 North Transportation Future proposed ? State Of Illinois, U.S 1,4 1,2,3 Traffic conflicts Future greenway 4 Roadway Artery trails . Department of development Transportation

Sugar Creek & Tributaries 1100 East 100 East Transportation County highways, x Private 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Geographic Potential natural 7 Natural Area, Artery future proposed location, private area, use as Waterbody trails land ownership floodway, future greenway development

U.S. 136 1200 East 100 East Transportation Future proposed x State of Illinois, U.S. 1,4 1,2,3 Traffic conflicts Future trail & 4 Roadway Artery trails Department of greenway Transportation development

1100 East Avenue 1900 North 2800 North Transportation Future proposed x Logan County 2,4 1,2,4 Traffic conflicts Future trail & 5 Roadway Artery trails greenway development

2600 North Street 1175 East 100 East Transportation Future proposed x Logan County 2,4 1,2,4 Traffic conflicts Future trail & 5 Roadway Artery trails greenway development

NORTHEAST COUNTY City of Atlanta Trail N/A Route 66 Proposed Future proposed x State of Illinois 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future trail & 4 Roadway Corridor Greenway trails ROW's greenway development

Deer Creek 2400 East 1500 North Waterway Greenway ? Private Landowners 2,3,5.6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 8 Natural Area, connector land ownership area, use as a Waterbody floodway, future greenway development

Illinois Route 10 2400 East 1400 East Transportation Future proposed x State of Illinois 1,4 1,2,3.4 Traffic conflicts Future trail & 3 Roadway Artery trails greenway development Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES Interstate 55 2500 North 1700 North Transportation Greenway x U.S. Dept. of 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Logistics as 4 Roadway Artery connectors Transport. safety concerns greenway

Kickapoo Creek 2400 East 1225 East Waterway Greenway ? Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 8 Natural Area, connector land ownership area, use as a Waterbody floodway, future greenway development

North Greens Area N/A NE Atlanta Potential "Open U.S. Route 66 x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6. 1,4,5,6 Private land Potential natural 6 Private Property Space" Area Trail, future ownership area, future proposed trails greenway development

Old Route 66 Corridor 2500 North 1800 North Proposed U.S. Route 66 x State of Illinois 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future trail & 6 Roadway Greenway Trail ROW's greenway development

Sugar Creek/West Fork 1800 East 1200 East Waterway Greenway ? Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 8 Waterbody, connector land ownership area, use as a Natural Area floodway, future greenway development

U.S. Route 136 1800 East 1200 East Transportation Greenway x U.S. Department of 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future trail & 4 Roadway Artery connector Transportation, ROW's greenway Logan County development

2150 East Road 1500 North 2350 North Transportation Greenway x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future trail & 4 Roadway Artery connector ROW's greenway development

SOUTHEAST COUNTY CNIC Rail Corridors N/A N/A Transportation Greenway x CNIC Railroad 1,2,3,5,6 1,2,3,4 Could not access Future trail & 5 Railroad Arteries connector active line greenway development

Deer Creek 1500 North 1250 East Waterway Greenway x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 9 Waterbody, connector land ownership area, use as a Natural Area floodway, future greenway development

Downtown Mt. Pulaski Morgan Street Monroe Street Commercial Area Greenway x City Of Mt. Pulaski 2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Future trail & 5 Potential Open connector ROW's greenway Space development Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES Hunter Slough 1500 East 1300 East Waterway Greenway x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 5 Waterbody, connector land ownership area, use as a Natural Area floodway

Illinois Route 54 900 North 1200 East Transportation Greenway x State of Illinois 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 4 Roadway Artery connector ROW's trail and greenway development

Illinois Route 121 1300 North 300 North Transportation Possible greenway x State of Illinois 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for future 3 Roadway Artery connector ROW's trail and greenway development

Lake Fork & Tributaries 2400 East 1200 East Waterway Possible greenway x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 7 Waterbody, connector, natural land ownership area, use as Natural Area area floodway, future greenway development

Salt Creek & Tributaries 2400 East 1200 East Waterway Possible greenway x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,4,5,6 Access, private Potential natural 8 Waterbody, connector, natural land ownership area, use as a Natural Area area floodway, future greenway development

950 North Street 2200 East 2000 East Transportation Greenway x Logan County, 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential for trail 5 Roadway Artery connector Village of Chestnut ROW's development, possible connector for future trails and between Salt Creek and the Village

1250 East Ave. 1500 North 350 North Transportation Greenway x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Loop Trail 5 Roadway Artery connector ROW's connector

1500 East Ave. 900 North 000 North Transportation Greenway x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Loop Trail 5 Roadway Artery connector ROW's connector

1800 East Ave. 1500 North 000 North Transportation Greenway x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential future 5 Roadway Artery connector ROW's trail connector

1800 East Ave. 1500 North 1300 North Transportation Greenway x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential Loop 5 Roadway Artery connector ROW's Trail connector

SOUTHWEST COUNTY Elkhart Hill Area N/A N/A Open Area Possible greenway ? Private Landowners 2,5,6 1,3,4,5,6 Access, private Potential future 4 Roadway connector, natural land ownership trail connector area Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES Interstate 55 400 North 1200 North Transportation Possible greenway ? U.S. Department of 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential greenway/ 4 Roadway Artery connector Transportation ROW's, trail connector, ownership difficulties concerning use as interstate

Old Route 66 Corridor 400 North 1300 North Transportation U.S. Route 66 x State of Illinois 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential future use 6 Roadway Artery Trail, future ROW's as trail possible greenway

Lake Fork & Tributaries 200 North 1100 North Waterway Possible open space x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,3,4,5,6 Public access, Potential future use 7 Waterbody, link private land as open space Natural Area ownership

Pike Creek N/A N/A Waterway Possible open space x Private Landowners 2,3, 5,6 1,3,4,5,6 Public access, Potential future use 5 Waterbody, link private land as open space Natural Area ownership

Salt Creek & Tributaries 900 East 000 East Waterway Possible open space x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,3,4,5,6 Public access, Potential future use 8 Waterbody, link private land as open space Natural Area ownership

Union Pacific Rail 400 North 1300 North Railroad Possible greenway x Union Pacific R.R. 1,2 1,2,3,4 Rail abandonment Adjacent land 6 Rail Line Corridor connector unlikely, safety along rail has concerns potential future use as open space

Wolf Creek 600 East 450 East Waterway Possible open space x Private Landowners 2,3,5,6 1,3,4,5,6 Public access, Potential future use 3 Waterbody, link private land as open space Natural Area ownership

50 East Avenue 1250 North 1400 North Transportation Possible open space Logan County 1,2,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Potential future use 5 Roadway Artery link ROW's , as open space link geographic for Middletown and location Salt Creek

100 East Avenue 1250 North 1500 North Transportation Possible trail link x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Targeted as part of 5 Roadway Artery ROW's future County Loop Trail

600 East Avenue 700 North 1100 North Transportation Possible trail link x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Targeted as part of 5 Roadway Artery ROW's County Loop Trail

600 North Street 1150 East 600 East Transportation Possible trail link x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Targeted as part of 5 Roadway Artery ROW's County Loop Trail

700 North Street 800 East 500 East Transportation Possible trail link x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Targeted as part of 5 Roadway Artery ROW's County Loop Trail Table A-1 Inventory Of Greenway Resources Logan County, Illinois

TRAIL IDENTIFICATION LOCATION OPPORTUNITY

PRIMARY PRINCIPAL NO. OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL PROPERTY FEATURE NAME FROM TO YES NO IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING ISSUES COMMENTS BENEFICIAL FEATURES LINKAGES OWNERS TYPE STRATEGY SOURCES FEATURES 1100 North Street 600 East 300 East Transportation Possible trail link x L:ogan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Targeted as part of 5 Roadway Artery ROW's County Loop Trail

1250 North Street 225 East 50 East Transporation Possible trail link x Logan County 1,4 1,2,3,4 Traffic conflicts, Targeted as part of 5 Roadway Artery ROW's County Loop Trail

FOOTNOTES Primary Implementation Strategies

1. Ingovernmental Agreements 2. Public Acquisition 3. Dedications (Subdivision Ordinances) 4. Road Improvements 5. Conservation Reserve Progarm 6. Other (Conservation Easements, Transfer of Development Rights, etc.) 7. Not Applicable Principal Funding Sources 1. Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) 2. Illinois Department of Transporation 3. Participating Local Government 4. Private Donations/Developers 5. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 6. Other (Conservation Easements, Transfer of Development Rights, etc.) 7. Not Applicable