June 19, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Work continuing on Rail Trail

Ogden, IL – The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is poised to construct 1.5 miles of the Kickapoo Rail Trail (KRT) through the Village of Ogden. Construction began in May and will be complete by the fall.

This new section of trail will serve the residents and visitors of Ogden as both a transportation and recreational amenity and bring us one step closer to connecting neighboring communities through the KRT.

The new trail will provide a safe, off-street option for people of all ages and abilities to walk, wheel, skate, scoot, or bike through Ogden between County Roads 2650E and 2800E. Similar to the trail section in St. Joseph, the trail surface will be asphalt through town and crushed gravel as it moves out of town toward the county line.


There are currently 6.7 miles of trail complete from Urbana to St. Joseph and an additional 3 miles of trail between Oakwood and Kickapoo State Park. Upon completion of the entire trail, the KRT will span 24.5 miles and connect communities in Champaign and Vermilion Counties.


“We are thrilled to start construction of this next phase of the KRT and bring a part of the trail network to the residents of Ogden. After this section is complete, we will work with our partners to build the remaining sections of the KRT. In Champaign County, those next sections of trail will connect St. Joseph to Ogden and extend the current end of the trail in Urbana to connect to Weaver Park,” said Lorrie Pearson, Executive Director.


Funding for this section of the trail is supported by a $949,430 grant from the Illinois Department of
Transportation’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) and $118,678.75 in State of Illinois grant match. Any remaining costs will be provided by Champaign County Forest Preserve District and the Forest Preserve Friends Foundation.


Construction updates will be posted online at onekrt.org and on the Kickapoo Rail Trail Facebook and
Instagram pages.

in Life
Banner
Related Posts

Kids Say… What does a farmer do?

January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020

We asked students what they think a farmer does all day. Here are their answers. Brady: I think a farmer...

How do I help my kids try new foods?

October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021

By: Dr. Jeanelle Murphy, DO Thanks to Christie Clinic for sponsoring this content. Encouraging young kids to try new foods...

A familiar face joins Longview Bank

November 22, 2021

November 22, 2021

Sara Bryan has always had a passion for helping people. That passion was instilled in her by her father who...

5 Question Friday with Drama Director Chandler Dalton

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

The SJO drama department is producing “The Internet is Distract—Oh look a kitten!” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at...

10 things you don’t know about me Staci Potter

August 12, 2021

August 12, 2021

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden’s new district bookkeeper to tell us 10 interesting facts about herself. Meet Staci Potter. 1. My...

Kids Say….

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

‘Her heart was golden’ — Short loses battle with cancer

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents. The meeting was for her daughter,...

Hometown appeal: The Wheelhouse earns Business of the Year honors

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

When the Wheelhouse opened in 2017, it was unlike anything in St. Joseph. And still is. The farm-to-table restaurant owned...

We the People holding one final fundraiser

April 2, 2019

April 2, 2019

There is one final chance to help the St. Joseph-Ogden We the People Civics Team fund their trip to Nationals...

Bringing Boston to St. Joseph: Jones to complete virtual marathon Monday throughout villages

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020

Alison Jones has competed in the Boston Marathon before. On Monday, she will participate in the storied event — just...

‘Scouting has been such a wonderful experience for me’

January 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

Sara Steffens’ Gold Award project is personal. The Ogden Girl Scout was inspired by her sister. “I learned that the...

10 things you don’t know about me… Cliff Hastings

October 14, 2022

October 14, 2022

We asked the owner of Prime Time Volleyball and the Parkland Head Volleyball Coach to tell us 10 interesting facts...

Always Looking to Give Back: Short honored for volunteerism

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tim Short wants to inspire the younger generations. Short, who was honored with the SJO Friend of Education Award this...

PTC to be honored for community work

April 19, 2019

April 19, 2019

The St. Joseph Parent Teacher Club has one goal—bridging the gap between teachers and parents. The St. Joseph PTC meets...

Williams to be inducted into Hall of Fame

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Larry Williams feels honored. Williams will be inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame on Friday during the Homecoming Football...

Comments
Leave a Reply