SE Illinois News

Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) was one of several local officials and community members who celebrated the opening of 10-miles of bike trails at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center. 

The trails are the first phase of the multi-stage project at Southern Illinois University's environmental center. 

“Recently, I had the privilege of taking part in the official grand opening of the Touch of Nature Mountain Bike Trail, one of the only purpose-built mountain bike trails in Southern Illinois,” Fowler said in a video posted to YouTube. “This riding trail is sure to become a premier riding destination for mountain bikers from all over the country, and it will serve as a great complement to other trails throughout the region.”

And Fowler has been busy spreading the word, adding, “I have recently introduced a new feature on my website (senatorfowler.com) to showcase some of those major trails throughout Southern Illinois. I encourage you to take a minute and check out the map and enjoy the beauty of southern Illinois from behind the handlebars.”

Earlier this month, local lawmakers joined Southern Illinois University's Touch of Nature in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a 10-mile mountain biking trail.

Along with taking a ride on the trial, Fowler pronounced the opening a perfect way to coincide with National Biking Month.

"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.”

While the trails will be free and open to the public, Touch of Nature asks for donations of either $3 per day or $40 per year for parking, with all proceeds going directly to trail maintenance.