The City of East Peoria is pursuing funding to construct a new recreational trail. The proposed trail would stretch from Riverfront Drive, along Camp Street, to Main Street. East Peoria has already received nearly $150,000 in grants from the Illinois Department of Transportation to design the project. The city is now seeking a $300,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to build the trail. The IDNR grant requires a 50-50 match from the city. Ty Livingston is the city’s Director of Planning and Community Development. He says the 3-mile loop would bring pedestrian elements to an area which currently has none:
%u201CWhat%20we%u2019re%20looking%20at%20is%20more%20than%20just%20a%20trail%2C%20it%u2019s%20a%20linear%20park%20concept%20that%20we%u2019re%20looking%20at.%20That%20would%20incorporate%20some%20pretty%20sizeable%20sculpture%20that%20would%20not%20only%20be%20able%20to%20be%20enjoyed%20by%20those%20hiking%20and%20biking%20on%20the%20trail%20but%20also%20those%20who%20drive%20by.%u201D%20-%20Ty%20Livingston
Livingston says construction likely will not begin until 2014 if the city secures grant funding. In related news, construction on a downtown Peoria bike trail is set to begin this summer. The trail will connect the downtown area to Peoria Heights. There are plans to eventually connect the path to the Rock Island Trail.