This 5-mile
trail was the community's first trail, constructed in 1995. The
trail begins on the east side of Springfield at a trail head near
the Illinois Department of Transportation Building. It winds through
the grounds, under Interstate 55, and continues east on the abandoned
railroad bed to the community of Rochester where it terminates
at another trail head facility.
Acquired and
built by the IL Department of Natural Resources, the 3-mile western
section was transferred to the Springfield Park District and 2-mile
eastern section was transferred to the village of Rochester. Rochester
subsequently extended the trail to their eastern boundary and
constructed a loop through their community park. Future phases
of the trail could extend Lost Bridge Trail southeast to the communities
of Taylorville and Pana.
The trail
is very well used by walkers, runners, bicyclers, etc. accessing
the trail from both Springfield and Rochester ends. The corridor
is very scenic, crossing several creeks and bordering the lake
at IDOT. The proximity of busy Interstate 55 and Route 29 do not
deter from the recreational quality of the trail.
