Channahon, IL – Beginning March 25 through June 30, trail enthusiasts will need to plan alternate routes as sections of the I&M Canal State Trail and the Lake Chaminwood Preserve loop trail undergo temporary closure. This interruption facilitates a crucial trail connection project spearheaded by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
The project mandates the closure of a 3-mile stretch of the I&M Canal State Trail, extending from the Interstate 55 frontage road to West Knapp Street, and a segment of the Lake Chaminwood Preserve loop trail adjacent to the canal. The initiative aims to construct a 0.25-mile paved pathway, inclusive of a 90-foot bridge over the canal, thus linking Lake Chaminwood’s loop trail with the 61.5-mile state-owned I&M Canal trail.
This strategic development is a part of the broader vision to eventually connect the regional DuPage and I&M Canal trails, with Lake Chaminwood poised to become the southern terminus of the DuPage River Trail. The project also includes the addition of two accessible fishing piers at Lake Chaminwood, enhancing the area’s recreational offerings.
Updates regarding the project, subject to change due to weather conditions or other factors, will be available on the Current Headlines section of the Forest Preserve’s website, ReconnectWithNature.org.
