Heartland Community College cut the ribbon Friday on an extension of Constitution Trail through campus.
The Country Financial Trail is a mile-long hiking and biking path that includes bird-watching blinds, a gazebo, an outdoor classroom, and an overlook for Birky Pond. The college broke ground on the project in April.
There are also plans for a walking bridge and pavilion expected to be completed by next spring.
Country Financial CEO Jim Jacobs said the trail will be a great asset for McLean County.
“We’re committed to make this an even better place for people, for our employees, and for many of you in business and government and in education to do just that,” Jacobs said at the dedication.
Heartland President Keith Cornille said the planned restoration of 13 acres of prairie and wildlife in and around the pond will help students learn about biodiversity and the environment, but it will also be the perfect complement to the Illinois State University Horticulture Center across the street.
“These two places are really, I think, a destination point for citizens throughout the entire region to come to learn about what is growing within our communities, the natural plants and other wildlife that are in these spaces,” Cornille said, adding the restoration began over the summer with the removal of invasive species and will continue next spring with planting.
Cornille applauded the Friends of the Constitution Trail for making the trail a big part of what connects Bloomington and Normal.
“The folks that lead that effort have given so much of their time, their advice, their talents and put in a lot of hard work toward a trail system that is truly the envy of communities throughout the country,” Cornille said.
The trial construction cost is $1.38 million, according to Heartland spokesperson Steve Fast. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources provided a $200,000 grant. The rest came from private donors, including a “significant” gift from Country Financial, Fast said.
