Like to bike, walk or roller blade?

Get your exercise as a Prairie Trail Safety Watch Volunteer! McHenry County Conservation District is looking for new volunteers to join the Prairie Trail Safety Watch.

The purpose of Prairie Trail Safety Watch is to ensure that all visitors to the MCCD’s 26-mile Prairie Trail system have a safe and enjoyable experience. The MCCD police department works with interested bikers, skaters and walkers that make up the District’s bike path safety group.

Working in pairs, PTSW volunteers alert Conservation District staff of unsafe conditions or activities along the trail and provide general assistance or information to site users. All necessary equipment and training is provided. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and pass a background investigation. Contact MCCD Volunteer Coordinator Denice Beck at 815-338-6223 or email volunteers@mccdistrict.org to become part of the team today.

The Prairie Trail was once a Chicago and Northwestern rail line that now runs north/south from the Wisconsin State line to Algonquin. The Trail connects eight McHenry County communities including Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Prairie Grove, McHenry, McCullom Lake, Ringwood and Richmond. From the Prairie Trail, users have access to over 100 miles of trail network including the Fox River Trail, the Great Western Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path. Depending on the surface and different sections, the trail is used by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, rollerbladers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobilers.