Sunday, May 31, 2009

National Trails Day June 6

Wisconsin will be marking National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, with a number of activities, including a celebration of Wisconsin’s national recognition for its first rail to trail project. Last September the Elroy-Sparta State Trail was inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame.

The 32-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail is one of the first rail-to-trail conversions in the nation. A major asset to the Wisconsin State Trails System, the pathway follows an out-of-service Chicago & Northwestern Railway bed and passes through three rock tunnels, each handcrafted by rail workers in the early 1900s.

“The Elroy Sparta State Trail is really a crown jewel in our extensive system of rail-trails here in Wisconsin,” said Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “It is the trail that started it all and made us a national leader in rail-trails.”

The Friends of the Elroy Sparta State Trail will celebrate this honor with a special showing of the “Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail—The Old Railroad Trail” filmed in 1967. This 15 minute video will be shown on Saturday, June 6, at 1 p.m. at the Kendall Depot.

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a multi-use path shared by bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and snowmobiles. Riding on the trail is free on June 6 and 7 in honor of National Trails Day and State Park Open House Day June 7.

Other National Trails Day activities include free bicycle checkups and an organized ride on the Military Ridge State Trail and a fun run and walk on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail at the Lodi segment. A list of other National Trails Day activities are planned at other Wisconsin state trails and parks is available on the DNR Web site.

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