North Egypt News

Southern Illinois University, along with local lawmakers and community members, celebrated the university's Touch of Environmental Center's new bike paths May 1, capping an end to the first phase of the multi-stage project. 

"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," Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said May 1 in a 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." 

The institution has set out to modify the bike-riding trails in a three-to-four phase project. Once completed, the bike-riding area will span 30 miles with both easy and challenging courses.

"I just applaud SIU and the Touch of Nature staff, this has been seven years in the making, to have this ribbon cutting today, and to be able to get on a trail, on a beautiful day in Southern Illinois," Fowler said, who spoke at the ceremony on continuing efforts to bring more people to the region.

Entrance to the trails is free of charge, but there is a suggested $3-parking fee or $40 for a year, which staff will use for maintenance costs. 

Fowler sampled the modified bike trails, assuring that May, referred to as the bike-riding month, is an adequate time for the launch. 

"Lot of work to be done yet, but this is the kickoff to it," Fowler said. "Obviously tourism is growing in southern Illinois each and every day; more people are cycling and kayaking and camping so, it's exciting times in southern Illinois."