Champaign YRE Online

by Kimberly Bradley
2 years ago
Near Champaign, US

28 views

1. As you exit Country Fair Shopping Center, walk toward Mattis Ave., tum LEFT and follow the sidewalk along Mattis. CAUTION! Cross carefully at the three major intersections in the next mile. Turn LEFT into the Schnuck's parking lot. Walk in front of Schnucks and follow the access road (Texas Roadhouse on your right) to the traffic light. Turn RIGHT at Country Fair Dr. and follow it to Bradley Avenue.

2. Cross Bradley Ave. at the stoplight. Tum RIGHT. (Restrooms available at Hardees Restaurant). At the intersection ahead with Mattis Ave., turn LEFT. Look ahead (5 blocks) for the entrance sign (LEFT) to Parkland College. Enter here and stay on the LEFT of Parkland Way. Ahead is the Olympic Athlete Memorial. Pick your favorite Champaign Olympian's name from the list there and write it below as Checkpoint #1. Walk down the steps, cross the bridge across the stream and turn LEFT on the trail. Continue on to the 4-lane street (Bradley Ave.), Turn RIGHT, then at Parkland College entrance, cross Bradley Ave., at the light, turn LEFT, go about 2 blocks, then RIGHT onto the trail into Heritage Park.

3. Continue on the trail past Heritage Lake, under the train & highway overpasses. Upon entering Kaufman Lake Park, take the trail to the RIGHT and follow to the front of the park. As the trail veers left, turn RIGHT onto the grassy area to Springfield Ave.(NOTE: there is normally a portapotty at the front of the lake, less than 1,000 feet off the trail).

4. Turn RIGHT and carefully walk along the (Springfield Ave.) road berm (cross RR tracks) to the traffic light at Duncan Rd. Write down the name of the nursery center ahead as your Checkpoint #2. Cross Springfield at the light and you will see the entrance to O'MALLEY'S ALLEY (No Trail Sign), a trail, not a street (The sidewalk starts with a large circle that has a bush in the center) and runs behind the little strip mall). Turn LEFT onto O'Malley's Alley (No Sign) and follow it. Near the end of the trail, notice the old railbed of the Interurban that used to run through Champaign. At the trail's end, turn RIGHT on Kenwood, follow it to John St.. Cross Kenwood at John, then cross John, and continue on along Kenwood & Centennial Park to Sangamon St. (NOTE: IF it is summertime AND you have children with you, you may wish to walk a bit further to the South end of the park. There is a nice petting zoo farm(free) and soft drink machines and restrooms. Easy return to the trail.)

5. Turn LEFT on Sangamon, walking through the park, then LEFT on Crescent St. Follow Crescent back to John St (passing Centennial High School). Turn LEFT at John St, then cross John st. at Country Fair Drive. Follow Country Fair to the traffic light at Springfield. Cross Springfield, turn RIGHT and follow the sidewalk along Springfield. Turn LEFT at the shopping center entrance, just past the Taco Bell. Thanks for coming!!