Hi Trails Supporter—

It’s one of America’s first rail-trails—and it could be changed forever.

Officials in DuPage County are considering permanently closing and rerouting part of the Aurora Branch of the Illinois Prairie Path.

But you can help speak out for this historic trail by attending a public meeting next week to learn more—and help officials find a solution.

What:	Public Meeting on the Rerouting of the Illinois Prairie Path
When:	Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017 4 to 7 p.m.
Where:	Matea Valley High School Main Entrance Atrium 1801 North Eola Road Aurora, IL 60502 See it on a map.

RSVP Now

Parked freight trains occasionally cause delays for trail users south of Diehl Road. Currently, a detour takes trail users around the problem area. But county officials are considering permanently closing 1.6 miles of the Aurora Branch of the trail and rerouting trail users onto the busy Eola Road, through a dangerous eight-lane intersection with Diehl Road and then on to the narrow I-88 overpass.

This would forever disrupt one of the first rail-trails in history—and expose trail users to unacceptable risk by requiring them to share busy roads with heavy traffic.

Please attend the public meeting next Thursday to learn more and help county officials find a better solution and save the Illinois Prairie Path.

Closing 1.6 miles of the Illinois Prairie Path would permanently alter one of the first rail-trails in history. But you can help county officials find a better solution.

Other options, such as the restoration of an existing tunnel or even keeping the trail as is, would keep the trail intact and preserve the safe passage of trail users.

Help save this historic pathway. Attend next Thursday’s public meeting.

Sincerely,

Brian Housh
Midwest Policy Manager
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy