he Illinois Prairie Path Trailhead at Illinois Route 56 and Batavia Road is officially open to enjoy! Features include a solar bench to power phones, a restroom, a covered picnic area, a drinking fountain, a bike repair station, bike racks, and more.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 27, Mayor Brummel thanked everyone who played a role. The Trailhead Project is a great example of intergovernmental cooperation and partnership with outside organizations, including:
- Ald. Bill Weidner, who initiated the idea
- Warrenville City Council
- Former City of Warrenville Community and Economic Development Director Ron Mentzer
- City of Warrenville Senior Engineer Kristine Hocking, who led the project to completion
- The Trailhead Work Group, consisting of representatives from the Illinois Prairie Path Association, Warrenville taxing districts, and community partners
- DuPage County Department of Transportation, which allowed the City to put the project on their property
Grants and outside funding helped pay for the project:
- Surface Transportation Program funding (federal grant)
- Illinois Prairie Path Association ($23,000 specific to the IPP Founders Memorial honoring the historical founders of the Prairie Path)
- ComEd, which provided a $10,000 grant for the pollinator garden
- Use of developer park donations to cover the City's portion of the project
Additional Trailhead Project work included landscaping, lighting, and relocating the existing butterfly garden.
Thank you to El Toro Loco for providing refreshments at the ribbon cutting ceremony!