I have long believed that the Tri Cities has some of the best trails and parks in the state. When you connect the Rock River National Water Trail and the National Recreation Trail of the Hennepin Canal to these local trails, you now have I believe some of the best trails not just in Illinois but quite possibly in the United States!! Oh come on Dave, here ya go again, what could you possibly see in these trails. Well first, Multi use trails, a connection by water and bike trail that allows you to bypass the dangerous and difficult task to interrupt traffic and communities. The trails from Dixon Lowell Park as far as Sheffield are uninterrupted trails when connected. Some 50 miles or more, and if ya add the main canal then you are adding 50 or so more making it well over 100 miles of connecting trails. if we ever open the Guard Lock gate in Rock Falls we would have a continuous uninterrupted waterway of more than 50 miles. I want to showcase this connection and all the synergies that are here. Historical places, culture and so much more. I believe this is a Historical Destination area. I like to include when I am talking about a destination area, Oregon, Grand Detour, and Byron along the Rock River. Still connected by a common thread. The Tri Cities Tampico Triathlon would promote and market this area. I believe those from the Chicago area and Rockford and the Quad Cities would love to come out to our trails and communities. We just need to make the transition from old Steel and factory towns to a active exciting recreation and river towns. Once we make this transition and embrace it I believe the are a will explode and we will finally be what we were suppose to be. A very energetic active healthy community of very exciting people and places to explore. The Triathlon would bring three major sports and its racers and families to our towns and trails. Its time to compete not only in these races but to compete with other communities and towns that do not have nearly what we have. Our greatest assets are our waterways and trails. Either you attract sportsman and tourists or you attract drug dealers and drug users and crime. Yes crime will come no matter what and there is a price to pay. This Triathlon race event will attract many visitors and tourists who will come and spend money here in our communities and businesses. We need a economic stimulus and why not get a direct shot in the arm. Tourism and these types of events are driving economies today. States and cities and towns are scurrying to develop waterways and trails and river fronts. Some are even creating there own waterways and digging ditches, tearing out dams for watersports. Canals in Canada and Europe have been developed and the economies are booming there. This event is not just a race my friends, its marketing, its promoting and showcasing and inviting tourists to come and enjoy and spend their money while having a great time with their families. I hope you all will support this race and our efforts....
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Hi Dave - The Hennepin Canal is already on the map. With the internationally known Hennepin Hundred and the locally known Annawan Mini Triathalon to name just a couple of functions, the Hennepin Canal is known and loved by many. There are many groups that promote the Hennepin Canal and the DNR has promoted activities for kids at the various sites. I think saying you want to make it well known is hindsight. It is very well traveled and if you were to make a trip down it on any day especially during the summer you would see numerous campers, boaters, bikers, and hikers/backpackers on the main trail. Not to mention the campsite at the Geneseo site where cabins are for rent as well as kayaks and other rentals. They have been in business for YEARS. I have grown up on the canal and am surprised that it seems the promotion is something only you know about and are promoting.
ReplyDeleteWell Anonymous, that is your opinion and you have a right to it. Yes the Hennepin has been on the map for hundreds of years but has never reached its potential, much the same way it never fully lived up to what it was designed to do and is why they turned it into a recreation park trail. The State had big plans for the Hennepin but soon ran out of interest long before it ran out of money. The reason is not enough traffic and people and volunteers to help. Much of it has been abandoned over the years even though many volunteers and even the IDNR tried to maintain it. The lack of boating and events show that. Yes there were events along the main canal but nothing large enough or not enough events to raise money to support it or to show the state that it is worth the money and investment. Today not just me but the IDNR and many others have sounded the alarm about the Hennepin running out of time. many will tell you the Hennepin was not well known as far as events and sporting events etc. You for some reason are looking at what I am doing and saying as negative. I think its just a matter of what you think is popular and well known and what a trail of this significant's and history should be. I see much more. This trail should be a money maker for our state and our communities. This is not just recreation, this is a way of life now and helps to support our economies and our families. The factories are gone and a trail like this can have a huge economic impact on all the communities around it. Events make money and bring tourist into our towns and hotels. I think I am looking at a much larger picture. Many do not want the Hennepin developed and I understand that. But we cannot afford to just let it sit and repair it and spend millions of dollars just to be a normal everyday trail. In Canada and Europe these canals are creating an economic boom around all the towns and communities. Thats what I mean by being known and popular and being on the map....
DeleteOh and yes, thank you for taking the time to post a comment and your opinions. Love talking about these things. Have a wonderful day....
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