Recreation

McLean County's Outdoor Spaces Are Fabulous Places

The Constitution Trail is a 24-mile trail system that stretches throughout the park systems of McLean County and is a favorite of walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Folks in McLean County are far from what you’d call couch potatoes. On any given day‚ you’ll see them cycling‚ walking and jogging all over Bloomington and Normal.

That positive energy and sense of good health are in part thanks to the abundance of outdoor activities McLean County offers. Bloomington and Normal boast nearly 60 parks combined‚ and the two communities share a well-loved 24-mile linear park called the Constitution Trail.

“The parks and recreation departments [of Bloomington and Normal] do surveys‚ and the Constitution Trail always comes out as the most popular park in both communities‚” says Dan Steadman‚ a Bloomington dentist and member of Friends of the Constitution Trail. “It gets people out of their cars‚ and it’s easily accessible. I ride my bike to work on it.”

Named in celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States Constitution in 1987‚ the Constitution Trail is a former abandoned railroad that was transformed into a paved trail for walking‚ jogging‚ biking‚ in-line skating and cross country skiing in winter. Friends of the Constitution Trail is a group of 170 community members that works for the expansion and beautification of the trail.

“We have paid for signs along the trail‚ bought trees and paid for one of the picnic shelters‚” Steadman says. “Most of our projects are funded by membership and donations.”

Thanks to the community’s enthusiasm for the Constitution Trail‚ it hasn’t stopped growing since its grand opening in 1989.

“The reaction to the trail has been amazing. We can’t build onto it fast enough‚” says Dean Kohn‚ Bloomington Parks and Recreation director. “Normal is looking at adding three or four more miles to their part of the trail‚ and so are we. Every time a new park or subdivision is developed‚ we look for ways to connect it to the trail.”

Trail users enjoy natural scenery and wildlife watching along the path and take advantage of picnic shelters‚ rest areas and drinking fountains (for people and dogs) that dot the trail. There’s even a Trailside Farmers’ Market in Normal on Tuesday evenings that features local vendors selling fresh fruits‚ vegetables‚ flowers and meats.

Wildlife commonly spotted along the trail includes deer‚ peregrine falcon‚ migrant birds‚ beavers‚ turkeys‚ foxes and great blue heron. Many private gardens also add to the trail’s appeal‚ including a Japanese Garden and Audubon Garden near Towanda Avenue and a restored prairie south of Colene Hoose Elementary School.

“The Constitution Trail is very much a part of the quality of life in Bloomington and Normal‚” Kohn says.

Numerous other recreational facilities also enhance McLean County’s quality of life. Bloomington is home to three 18-hole golf courses‚ four lakes‚ Frisbee golf and spray parks with water features. Normal boasts a par 72 championship 18-hole golf course‚ a 10-field softball complex‚ a community activity center and two aquatic facilities – Fairview Family Aquatic Center and Anderson Aquatic Facility.

“They have exciting water features and slides and get a tremendous amount of use‚” says Gary Little‚ Normal Parks and Recreation director. “We also have one of the nicest disc golf courses in central Illinois at Maxwell Park.”

In July 2007‚ Normal’s Champion Fields hosted the American Softball Association’s 14 and Under Class-A National Tournament‚ which drew 130 softball teams from all over the country.

“We had to compete with other communities to bring that tournament here‚ so we’re extremely excited about it‚” Little says. “Softball and baseball are big in this community.”

Normal Parks and Recreation also operates two indoor facilities where people can escape the summer heat – the Children’s Discovery Museum and the historic Normal Theater.

“We’ve built a new outdoor theater for small concerts and other activities along Constitution Trail on South Linden Street‚” Little says.

The outdoor theater opened for community events in early fall 2007.

“People here really appreciate [the parks and recreation opportunities]‚” Little says‚ “and we enjoy seeing them outside having a great time.”

Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Wes Aldridge

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