February 26, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Forest preserve wants residents to hike 30 trails

If you like to stay active, the Champaign County Forest Preserve has a way to help.

The District has created a new challenge for area residents. They want people to try all of the district’s 30 hiking trails.


Participants can be entered to win prizes if they do five a month over six months.

A trail tracker is available on the district’s website (champaignforests.org). Hikers can insert selfies of themselves beside signs of each of the trails they’ve walked to be entered into the contest.


The contest encourages hikers not to visit the same trails all the time. There are plenty of trails to choose from at the district’s six forest preserves plus the Kickapoo Rail Trail.


Last year, the district promoted hiking 75 miles from Memorial Day to Labor Day in honor of the district’s 75th anniversary.

More summer fun is available in July with the Forest Preserve District.


Summer Splash in partnership with the Upper Sangamon River Conservancy.

It will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 at Lake of the Woods peninsula.


The event is designed to encourage people to get out and experience fishing as well as other water activities.

Visitors will also be able to receive kayak instruction.

Several interactive activity stations will be set up. The Illinois Natural History Survey traveling science center will also be on hand.

The annual Take Me Fishing event is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m.

Children will be given cane poles to learn to fish with the help of volunteers.

Children younger than 15 will be eligible to earn awards.

There will also be a pond-dipping activity station where children can dip a net into the water, scoop up pond water and see what they’ve found.

USRC will make kayaks and canoes available. There will also be boat safety talks during the day.

Pedal boats will be available to use for free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will also be food trucks and raffles.

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