Sen. Dale Fowler tests out new trails at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s bike paths May 1. The center opened 10 miles of public trails. | Photo Courtesy of Dale Fowler/Facebook
Sen. Dale Fowler tests out new trails at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s bike paths May 1. The center opened 10 miles of public trails. | Photo Courtesy of Dale Fowler/Facebook
Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) celebrated alongside community members and Southern Illinois University to open newly finished mountain biking paths.
An expansion of SIU's Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s bike paths, the ceremony commemorated completing 10 miles of new routes for biking enthusiasts.
This completion is part of a larger, multi-phase project for the community. The ribbon-cutting ceremony also ushered in the beginning of National Biking Month.
In addition to attending the ceremony, Fowler also biked on some of the paths himself.
In a May 1 social media post, he said.
“It was a great morning at Touch of Nature as a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiled the Touch of Nature Mountain Bike Trails to the community," Fowler said in a May 1 Facebook post. "This developing system of trails not only adds to the quality of life to the region, it is already a growing tourism destination for mountain bike riders across the country. Well done, Touch of Nature.”
When fully complete, the Touch of Nature bike paths will span more than 30 miles, with varying difficulties for any level of bikers.
Access to the trails is free of charge, but there is an encouraged donation of $3 per day (or $40 each year) for parking. The funds are used to maintain the trails and facilities. Those interested in the paths or wanting to know more about hours and potential closures can visit the Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s Facebook page.
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