Do you enjoy walks in the park, hikes through the woods, or biking on the trail systems in southern Illinois? If so, your physical and mental health are benefiting.
Walking outdoors can significantly reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. Studies show that having access to nature and green space close to home reduces stress and anxiety.
But beyond your well-being, trails create other benefits you may not immediately consider. Walking and biking lead to less traffic congestion, lower vehicle emissions, and better air quality. When designed well, connected trail networks provide safer travel options for people with limited mobility. Trails also attract visitors who spend money at hotels and restaurants, contributing significantly to local economies.
Recognizing that trails are critical to people’s health, Heartlands Conservancy and the Illinois Public Health Institute are helping Jackson County and Southern Seven Health Departments with strategies to enhance trails, biking, and walking. The goal is to make it easier to bicycle and walk in southern Illinois communities.
Trails are Possible Because of Federal Funding
Trails in the Metro East and Southern Illinois are treasured community assets. Many communities have benefited from economic development spurred by regional bicycle trails and hiking trails.
Many of these trails have only been possible because of federal funding through programs like the Recreational Trails Program, Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, RAISE/BUILD, Transportation Alternatives Program, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant programs. These programs are critical to increasing the region’s and nationwide access to trails.