Our Accomplishments

Spring Creek Preserve – Messenger Marsh is located in Homer Glen on South Bell Road and was the first Will County Forest Preserve holding which allows horses on the trails. There are 3.44 miles of looped trails with crushed limestone. We were involved in this pilot equestrian trail program from the beginning.

Spring Creek Preserve – Hadley Valley located at Gougar Road and Rt.6/Maple Road in Joliet. This is the second segment opened as part of the Spring Creek Greenway Trail with 5.01 miles of crushed limestone multi-use trail. WCTR adopted the 2.47 mile looped trail at the western end and is responsible for maintaining the trail.

Wauponsee Glacial Trail – under the jurisdiction of the Will County Forest Preseve, the southern segment of this trail consists of 19.49 miles of crushed limestone running from Sugar Creek Preserve in Joliet, south to the Kankakee River. WCTR worked jointly with the WCFP to plan and develop this multi-use trail.

Plum Creek Greenway Trail – the most recent WCFP trail to be opened, it offers 3.06 miles of equestrian trail that includes large wooden bridges to cross and gorgeous views. Access to the trail is available at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete.

Des Plaines Conservation Area – is located in Wilmington and operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This trail was opened as a result of the efforts of both Will County Trail Riders and Illinois Trail Riders. WCTR has been recognized for our work in the development and maintenance of the 12 miles of trail and amenities at the site.

Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie – located on the old Joliet Arsenal site, Midewin was opened to the public in June of 2004. Nearly 22 miles of shared use trails currently exist on this Tall Grass Prairie. Midewin’s trail system also has connectivity on the east side to the Wauponsee Glacial Trail. Together WCTR and the U.S. Forest Service along with interested trail advocates planned and implemented this multi-use trail which is opened year round for equestrian enjoyment.

Our Future

We will continue to be involved with the planning and development of new equestrian trails within Will County and nearby areas that promote equestrian use. We will be joining the with the Forest Preserve District of Will County, Midewin Tall Grass Prairie and other trail advocacy groups to stress the importance of open space and education of the public of shared use trails.

Spring Creek Greenway – a 16 mile multi-use trail network is planned for the greenway. A phased development connecting four preserves; Messenger Marsh, Messenger Woods, Hadley VAlley and Walnut Hollow owned by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Plum Creek Greenway Trail – plans and development continues to extend this trail north. Development of Plum Valley Preserve in Crete Township is in Phase 1 which will continue through 2016.

Midewin Tall Grass Prairie – continual development of additional trail system as army cleanup continues and areas are restored to natural prairie habitat. Monthly guided equestrian tours (May – October) are led by trail hosts in restricted areas on the south side.