Social Event
July MCTG Meeting/Member Picnic
Join us for the Menard County Trails & Greenways July meeting/picnic. Reminder: dues are due in July. Individual $10; Family $20 Tuesday, May 14, 2020 7 PM – 8 PM Location to be announced.
Sangamon River Watershed Celebration–CANCELLED
Due to Covid-19, this year's Watershed Celebration has been cancelled. Sangamon River Alliance and University of Illinois Springfield, co-hosts of the event, will hopefully be able to reschedule for the fall of 2021. The event will kick off with a Friday evening reception at the UIS Sangamon Experience exhibit in the Public Affairs Center, with Saturday presentations, exhibits and demonstrations will taking place at the UIS Therkildsen Field Station on Lake Springfield. Once we're able to safely plan for this exciting event we'll post updates here. Stayed tuned!
Menard County Trails & Greenways Zoom Meeting
Virtual Zoom MeetingJoin us on February 9th at 7:00 PM for an informative Zoom meeting -- everyone welcome! There will be a presentation on two new Trails & Greenways projects: the New Salem Habitat Restoration Project and the creation of a Virtual Tour of the Sangamon River, with discussion to follow about how you can get involved in either or both! Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcOGsqTwtEtXDuFAS4WNTjraDS5GyTWeU After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Party
Hand of Fate Brewery 107 E Douglas St, Petersburg, IllinoisEnjoy an evening with longtime friends and new friends to reminisce, swap stories, plan future adventures..... The evening will include a short slide presentation of past and future projects, new board member election and socializing. Everyone Welcome! Bring a friend! Food provided -- Cash bar Chances to win door prizes!! For planning purposes, please RSVP no later than July 23 by 4:00PM to Libby at lshawgo@gmail.com Download the flyer to share.
Wayside Park Celebration
Historic Wayside Park W5V3+XP Lake Petersburg, Illinois, Petersburg, IllinoisMenard County Trails & Greenways will host an event on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 5:30 at the park (Rts. 97 and 123, south of Petersburg) to celebrate and acknowledge community contributions to Wayside Park. Located in southern Menard County at the intersection of Illinois Routes 97 and 123 (Gudgel Ave) Wayside Park was developed in 2006 by Menard County Trails & Greenways through the cooperation and assistance of the Illinois Department of Transportation and contributions of supporters. Wayside, a 2+ acre IDOT right-of-way, includes a huge red hawthorn tree from an early roadside beautification project, a stone council ring, and a pollinator waystation planting around the council ring. The site provides visitors a historic, land, and water resource overview of the area through interpretive signs integrated with the council ring. The event will be a celebration of the: Wayside Park partners--IDOT, Trees Forever and Menard Electric Coop/CoBank New site signs IDOT has placed on the corner of Rts 97 and Rt 123; Historic red hawthorn that Trails & Greenways saved after it was severely damaged in a windstorm a couple of years ago; Rehabbed pollinator waystation made possible through a generous donation by Menard Electric Coop and CoBank; and Dedicated volunteer team that maintains the park (mowing, spraying, mulching, weeding, watering.....) throughout the growing season. Speakers: Kent Massie, board director, MCTG -- History of Wayside Park Guy Sternberg, Wayside Park committee chair, MCTG Debbie Flugel, Field Coordinator & Program Manager, Trees Forever Trish Michels, Dir. of Member Services, Menard Electric Coop
CANCELLED — MCTG Sangamon River Fall Float
The river level is too high to safely hold the float! Sorry for any inconvenience cancellation has caused. Full refunds are being processed. Join Menard County Trails & Greenways on October 16, 2021 as we paddle 5 beautiful miles of the Sangamon River from the Gudgel Bridge to the New Salem riverside picnic area/boat ramp. Explore on your own or take part in a guided float to learn about the geology, history and nature of the Sangamon River in Menard County. Immediately following the float everyone is invited to socialize around a cozy campfire for a weenie roast (provided with registration). This stretch of the river has an exceptional natural history story to tell. Each participant who chooses to partake in the guided tour will receive a points-of-interest location map and corresponding handout with a detailed description of each stop. Experts will be floating along with the group to answer questions. All participants must pre-register! Registration ends October 10th! Rain Date - October 17, 2021
MCTG 2022 Sangamon River Fall Float
Join Menard County Trails & Greenways on October 15, 2022 as we paddle 5 beautiful miles of the Sangamon River from Gudgel Bridge to the New Salem riverside picnic area/boat ramp. Explore on your own or take part in a guided float to learn about the geology, history and nature of the Sangamon River in Menard County. Immediately following the float everyone is invited to socialize around a cozy campfire for a weenie roast (provided with registration). This stretch of the river has an exceptional natural history story to tell. Experts will be floating along with the group to answer questions about the geology, geography, fish, birds and other wildlife. All participants must pre-register! Registration ends October 8th! Menard County Trails & Greenways is a proud affiliate of the American Canoe Association. ACA was founded in 1880 and is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the broader paddling public by providing educational programs, supporting stewardship initiatives that affect paddlers, and offering competition opportunities to athletes of all abilities.
Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Party
TBDSave the Date!! Join fellow members, old friends and new friends at the Annual Meeting & Party!! As details are nailed down we'll be updating the calendar with all the pertinent information.
Petersburg Harvest Fest
Petersburg PetersburgJoin Us at the Petersburg Harvest Fest. Walk in the parade! Volunteer or visit our booth. It's a full day of fun, food and friends.
CANCELLED–National Trails Day Hike at New Salem: Explore, Learn, and Connect
New Salem Riverside Picnic Area X5C9+27 Petersburg, Illinois, United StatesWe will reschedule this hike for later in the summer. Plan now to join us for a hike in celebration of National Trails Day -- June 1st! National Trails Day offers a splendid chance to revel in nature's splendor and emphasize the significance of safeguarding our trails and natural areas for future generations. Join us on June 1st for an immersive guided hike along the Cardinal Ridge Trail, which will include an off-trail detour to explore areas of the forest previously inaccessible due to the dense understory of bush honeysuckle. This detour promises not only previously unseen vistas but also an up-close look at the ongoing habitat restoration project, offering invaluable insights into conservation efforts. Note: We won't go far off-trail, and the terrain will not be strenuous, but it will require a little extra caution and awareness. And, of course, if you are not comfortable traversing the woods off-trail, you can stay back and wait for the group to return. For those planning to attend, it's imperative to dress suitably for the weather, don sturdy and supportive footwear, and remember to bring an ample supply of drinking water to stay hydrated throughout the excursion. Following the hike, Trails & Greenways will treat participants to a delightful lunch cookout at the scenic picnic pavilion by the river. This isn't just a hike; it's an opportunity to connect with nature, to foster community among trail enthusiasts, and to champion environmental stewardship. Don't miss out – join us for the National Trails Day Hike to explore, learn and connect. For planning purposes, your RSVP to this free event is greatly appreciated! American Hiking Society's National Trails Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in June of each year. This event aims to bring together all trail enthusiasts, young and old, while honoring those who help maintain and preserve hiking trails for everyone to enjoy.
2024 Sangamon River Fall Float
Registration Deadline Extended!! Join Menard County Trails & Greenways on October 12, 2024 as we paddle 5 beautiful miles of the Sangamon River from the Gudgel Bridge to the New Salem riverside picnic area/boat ramp. Take part in this annual event where we join together to enjoy the solitude, beauty and natural history of the Sangamon River as it meanders through rural Menard County. With a hint of fall in the air, the tree-lined river will likely be stunning. Immediately following the float everyone is invited to socialize around a cozy campfire at New Salem State Historic Site riverside picnic area for a weenie roast (provided with registration). $30 Registration Fee -- includes shuttle, snacks, weenie roast, local geologic features handout, and best of all--comraderie with fellow boaters. All participants must pre-register! Registration is limited and closes at 5:00 PM October 4, 2023! Each Participant MUST: Register online by 5:00 PM October 9, 2024 Sign a Waiver and Release of Liability form (available at sign-in) Provide your own canoe or kayak and paddles Provide a PFD(personal flotation device) Be responsible for delivering your equipment to the launch site at Gudgel Bridge by noon, and completing your registration and sign-in at New Salem before 1:00PM. Shuttle will depart New Salem at 1:00 PM back to the launch site. (Detailed directions will be provided in a confirmation email following online registration.) Cancellation Policy: In the event the float must be cancelled due to inclement weather or unsafe river conditions registrants will receive a full refund (minus handling fee). Cancellation policy for participants: Ticket price (minus handling fee) will be 100% refunded if cancelled prior to 5:00 PM October 9, 2024. Refunds will not be granted after 5:00 PM October 9, 2024. American Canoe Association This is an American Canoe Association (ACA)--sanctioned event. Everyone will have the opportunity to join the ACA at the individual membership rate.