Menard County Trails & Greenways

Ways to Discovery!

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  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Newsletters & Annual Reports
    • Contact
  • Our Projects & Activities
    • Volunteer Habitat Restoration Project at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site
    • Earth Day Celebration
    • Sangamon River Sweeps
    • Historic Wayside Park
    • More….
  • MCTG Blog
  • Ways to Discovery!
    • Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site Hiking Trails
    • Historic Wayside Park
    • J.E. Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area
    • Sangamon River
    • Sangamon Valley Trail – Cantrall Access
    • Starhill Forest Arboretum
    • Biking Menard County
  • Join / Renew
  • Donate
    • Unrestricted Donation
    • Menard County Forest Fund
    • Historic Wayside Park & Prairie
    • Water Trail Fund
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Calendar
  • Photo Galleries
  • Video Vignettes
  • Trails & Greenways Merchandise
  • Ways to Discovery Chautauqua Series

Native plants, Nature

More sights of spring

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April 11, 2020
Announcement, Events, Native plants, Native Seed Sowing, Presentation

Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop 1st & 3rd Boutique & Wine Bar January 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 1st & 3rd Boutique & Wine Bar has generously donated their…

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December 19, 2023
History

What is the meaning of Sangamon?

In 1721, a small group of Frenchmen paddled canoes from the confluence of the Theakiki (Kankakee) and the “River of the Illinois (tribe)” to the Mississippi River. They were on…

read more
February 22, 2021
  • Announcement,  Earth Day

    Petersburg Mayor Signs Earth Day Proclamation 

    April 14, 2021 /

    Earth Day was established in 1970, and is an annual, worldwide event to raise awareness about issues affecting our land, air, and water.  On April 2nd, Petersburg Mayor Rick Snyder signed a proclamation encouraging businesses, organizations, and individuals to participate in a city-wide litter clean-up on Earth Day, April 22, 2021, and throughout the year, to make Petersburg and Menard County Communities healthy and environmentally friendly.

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    MCTG provides public comment on City of Springfield’s amended Supplemental Water Supply Project

    August 5, 2021

    2020 Census! It’s Our future. Don’t leave it blank!

    August 16, 2020

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
  • Announcement

    Congratulations Menard Animal Protection

    March 25, 2021 /

    MENARD ANIMAL PROTECTION AWARDED GRANT TO FUND A PETERSBURG DOG PARK Menard Animal Protection (MAP), a local non profit, has been awarded funds by the Sedlak Vaughan Charitable Trust to construct a dog park and install pet waste stations in Petersburg. MAP is excited about the opportunity to partner with the City of Petersburg and local businesses to find suitable locations for these much-needed improvements. They will provide recreational opportunities for dog owners and their 4-legged friends. Three pet waste stations will be installed in dog walking areas when weather and soil conditions permit. The dog park will be a 100 X 75′ chain link fence enclosure and will include…

    Read More
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    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021

    2020 Census! It’s Our future. Don’t leave it blank!

    August 16, 2020
  • Announcement,  Events

    Earth Day 2021 — Pitch In for Petersburg!

    March 25, 2021 /

    Tired of seeing litter — cans, bottles, fast food wrappers, and more — strewn along our river front, in our parks, and along our streets and ditches? If everyone pitches in we can make a big difference in the appearance of our beautiful little city and health of our environment. Ways to Help Sign in at Hurie Park after work or school starting at 4:00 PM (or whenever you can get there) to get a trash bag, your free tote (while they last), and DQ cone coupon (while they last). We’ll assign you a location or you can tell us where you plan to pick up. Pick up around your…

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023

    2020 Census! It’s Our future. Don’t leave it blank!

    August 16, 2020

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023
  • History

    What is the meaning of Sangamon?

    February 22, 2021 /

    In 1721, a small group of Frenchmen paddled canoes from the confluence of the Theakiki (Kankakee) and the “River of the Illinois (tribe)” to the Mississippi River. They were on their way to French settlements in Louisiana. Among the group was Pierre-Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, a Jesuit priest. Charlevoix documented the voyage in a series of letters that include descriptions of the landscape and Native American residents of the river valley.

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Shickshack Hill

    Native American Trails

    February 14, 2021
  • Shickshack Hill
    Bicycle,  Driving,  History,  Trails

    Native American Trails

    February 14, 2021 /

    Native Americans were the only human beings in Menard County for more than 10,000 years. Traces of their way of life in the form of stone tools and pottery sherds continue to be found throughout the county. Their legacy is also documented by trails—a path or track worn by the passages of persons traveling. Identifying ancient Native American trails is difficult at best. Some Native American trail maps survive, such as the 1837 Ioway map, but they are extremely rare.

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    MCTGuser
  • Bicycling

    Lincoln Highway Bike Route

    February 3, 2021 /

    Bicycling Menard County backroads can be fun and rewarding. You can take in pleasant rural scenery and often spot some interesting wildlife.  My personal preference when riding country roads is to avoid state highways and even county highways, and stick to the more rural road district-maintained roads.  I also gravitate towards the northern and western side of the county as it seems the vehicle traffic is lowest in these areas. Many Central Illinois roads are laid out in a grid fashion following section and township lines.  Occasionally, roads still exist that do not follow the boring N-S, E-W grid. These are often the oldest roads, and have stretches that follow…

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    MCTGuser

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    kayaking at panther creek

    Exploring Menard County (and a little beyond….)

    May 14, 2020
  • Native plants

    Planting on the Petersburg Square

    January 24, 2021 /

    Two years ago, I decided to adopt the empty planting beds on our beautifully updated square. Remaining mostly bare since their installation in 2015, I envisioned the beds teaming with beautiful native plants abuzz with colorful butterflies and other beneficial insects.

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    Nature's Best Hope

    Stay in Place in Your Yard and Garden

    April 13, 2020

    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 2022

    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023
  • Announcement

    Grist Mill on the Sangamon prints available online

    December 1, 2020 /

    Looking for a unique gift for someone special as well as a way to support a not-for-profit? Just in time for the holidays prints of the Grist Mill on the Sangamon River, at New Salem by Etta Ackerman are now available on our website. Check it out: https://menardcountytrailsandgreenways.org/grist-mill-on-the-sangamon-river/ You can pay via credit card or PayPal. Prices include shipping, but if you prefer you may pick prints up in Petersburg and save 30%. (Email me if you choose to pick up your order or have any questions or issues with the online process.) Many of you are familiar with the Grist Mill prints, but for those who are not…. The…

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    MCTGuser

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    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021

    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
  • Events,  Kayak/Canoe

    2020 Sangamon River Fall Float

    October 25, 2020 /

    The Annual Sangamon River Fall Float was a little different this year. Due to Covid concerns the trip was completely DIY. All 23 participants provided their own shuttles between the launch and take-out sites, brought their own refreshments, including food and beverages for the after-float campfire. It was a picture-perfect day and fun time for all.

    Read More
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    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 2022

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020
  • Announcement

    2020 Census! It’s Our future. Don’t leave it blank!

    August 16, 2020 /

    Don’t forget to complete the 2020 Census!  The Census will end by September 30, 2020.  You can complete your form by mail, phone, or web.  Click here for instructions: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html Census data informs decisions about federal, state, and local funding for infrastructure, education, health care and beyond.  For rural areas, the Census shapes things like rural water and waste disposal systems, state wildlife grants, and hunter education and safety.  An incomplete count means the possibility of lost funds for these important resources.  Complete your 2020 Census today!

    Read More
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    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
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