Fort Hill Trail / Ray Lake Trail Connection

Lake County Forest Preserve

This Wauconda, IL project consisted of a 2 mile multipurpose trail connecting the existing Millennium Trail, just east of Fairfield Road and Illinois Route 176, then traveling north to connect to the future site of the Ray Lake Forest Preserve, just south of the Gilmore and Fairfield Road intersection. The trail connects an existing dog exercise area and the new Four Winds addition to the Forest Preserve. Special care was taken to relocate a fence along the southern boundary of the Dog Exercise Area in order to safely separate the trail, the Dog Exercise Area, and the busy Route 176. 

Included in the construction of the 12 ft wide, 2-mile long crushed stone trail was a 110’ bridge spanning a wetland area, wetland restoration, removal of existing buildings, relocation of picnic shelters, planting of shade trees, installation of shade and rain shelter,  and trailhead parking for 25 cars with access from Gilmer Road. An at-grade pedestrian crossing was also constructed at the Fairfield Road and Illinois Route 176 signalized intersection.

Funding

Local

Status

Completed in 2008

Scope of Services

• Traffic Engineering and Impact Studies Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridges
• Intersection Design Study
• Wetland Permitting
• Site Design Engineering
• Interagency Coordination
• Preparation of Contract Plans, Specifications  & Estimates
• Pedestrian Bridge