Stone Mill Trail Connects Harvard to Chemung

Last August, the McHenry County Conservation District opened Stone Mill Trail. The trail runs 1.5 miles from Lawrence Road in Harvard near Milky Way Park, along Ramer Road to Maxon Road, Chemung, across from the Dean Foods Plant.

The project was funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Bicycle Path Grant Program and monies set aside from MCCD’s 2001 and 2007 bond proceeds.

The trail consists of a 10-foot-wide asphalt path and pedestrian bridge. The Stone Mill Trail will provide a recreational amenity to the two rural towns and provide a safe means of travel.

This portion of the trail represents phase one of a potential six-mile trail. Concept plans for phase two and three involve continuing the trail another two miles to White Oak Road in Chemung and then extending it another two and a half miles to the Boone County line. Once the trail is extended to Boone County, riders will be able to connect to the Long Prairie Bike Trail which runs 14.2 miles to Caledonia.

Currently there is no timeline for phases two and three. “The district is currently working on multiple projects throughout the country including opening nine new sites and making improvements to 18 others,” said Sarah Rummel, Landscape Architect for MCCD.

MCCD is working on connecting the trail with Milky Way Park. There is a small stretch where the paths are not connected. The improvements for the link have been permitted and approved by the City of Harvard.

Comments on Stone Mill Trail have been nothing but favorable, according to Rummel.

For information, call the McHenry County Conservation District at 815-338-6223.