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Public access to Illinois waterways
Illinois Department of Natural Resources working on the development of a revised State Water Plan. The public is invited to review the recommendations by the Task Force of each critical issue and provide feedback to ensure that the project is addressing everybody’s most important water-related needs in IL. Virtual public hearings (identical) were held May 25-27 by IDNR at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/WaterResources/Pages/StateWaterPlanTaskForce.aspx Prior to the Live Meetings, DNR suggest that you listen to the Recorded Summary to obtain a brief overview about each of the 13 identified critical issues. The presentation has been provided in both a video or slideshow format to allow viewing options. Recorded Summary Video Link: View Download Recorded Summary Slideshow Link: Link …
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Petersburg Mayor Signs Earth Day Proclamation
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.
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Congratulations Menard Animal Protection
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…
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Earth Day 2021 — Pitch In for Petersburg!
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…
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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 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.
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Native American Trails
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Native American Trails
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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Lincoln Highway Bike Route
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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Exploring Menard County (and a little beyond….)
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Planting on the Petersburg Square
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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Grist Mill on the Sangamon prints available online
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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2020 Sangamon River Fall Float
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.
