The Constitution Trail is a multi-use rail trail located in

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...

. It occupies an abandoned Illinois Central Gulf Railroad corridor that runs through the 'Twin Cities' of Bloomington and

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McLean County, Illinois McLean County is the largest county by land area in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 169,572. Its county seat is Bloomington. McLean County is included in the Bloomington–Normal, IL Metropolit ...

. The trail, which is owned by the municipalities of Bloomington and Normal, is used by bikers, inline skaters, walkers, runners and skiers, and covers approximately . of former railways. It features the Camelback Bridge in Normal, a site on the U.S.

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

. Its official opening was May 6, 1989. In 2000, the trail was officially named a "Millennium Trail" by the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in ...

Millennium Council. Image:Constitution-Trail-006-02.jpg, Camelback Bridge, overlooking the trail. Image:Constitution-Trail-004-02.jpg, One of the many wooden bridges overlooking Bloomington City streets.

Trail description

Constitution Trail consists of over 45 miles of trail and connects to the historic Route 66 Trail in McLean County. The trail features 32 trailheads around the cities of Normal and Bloomington with multiple historic sites and points of interest throughout the trail system.

Trail branches

* Illinois Central: The main trail that runs north-south through the Bloomington-Normal area. The trailhead starts north of Normal at the Kerrick Parking and Access Point () and ends after 6.5 miles at Croxton Ave, Bloomington (). * Northtown: Splits off from the Illinois Central branch and runs along the Ironwood Golf Course. Trail is almost 3 miles long. * Bloomer Line: Splits off from the Illinois Central branch at the Allers Shelter Wayside and Connie Link Ampitheater. This branch runs west-east and is roughly 4.5 miles long. * Collegiate: Splits off from the Illinois Central branch at the Normal Parks & Rec Office and ends at the

Heartland Community College Heartland Community College is a public community college with campuses in Normal, Lincoln, and Pontiac, Illinois. History The state of Illinois is divided into community college districts. Students desiring to attend a community college in Il ...

after 3.5 miles. * Southtown: A 7-mile branch with the trailhead beginning at Pepper Ridge Park and ending at Streid Drive. * Interurban: A little over 4.5 miles, this branch begins at the West Route 9 Wayside and ends at the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. * Route 66: Follows US Route 66 as it cuts southwest through Normal and Bloomington. There is an access point at Pepper Ridge Park in Bloomington. From Bloomington to Normal the trail is 7.8 miles. The total trail length is 37.2 miles.

Trail amenities

Amenities include restrooms, shelters/gazebos, parking, benches, water fountains, trash receptacles, and picnic tables.

References

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External links

Town of NormalCity of BloomingtonOfficial website of The Constitution Trail
Rail trails in Illinois Illinois Central Railroad Bloomington–Normal Protected areas of McLean County, Illinois Tourist attractions in Bloomington–Normal 1989 establishments in Illinois Protected areas established in 1989