Column: Sterling throws its support to the Rock River Trail Initiative

STERLING – More entities are throwing their support behind the Rock River Trail Initiative.

The group wants to create a trail along the 300-mile route, and a separate Rock River Route on roads within the river corridor to help people access “all to the natural resources, recreational opportunities, scenic beauty and historic and cultural assets of the Rock River Valley,” it says on its website.

Organizers are asking cities and agencies along the Rock to pass resolutions to help publicize the project.

The city of Sterling is the latest to do so.

The cities of Rock Falls and Dixon and the Whiteside and Lee county boards already have passed resolutions. So, too, have the Dixon and Sterling park districts, Dixon Riverfront, and the Dixon Chamber of Commerce.

The trail initiative is slowly building momentum. Dave Druen, a coordinator and a volunteer with Friends of the Hennepin Canal, said these resolutions of support are just the beginning.

Eventually, the goal is to establish the trail as a state and national waterway.

“The reason for the support resolutions is to show the National Park Service that we have gotten support so they know what it is about,” he said.

Druen wants communities along the trail to highlight what makes their cities special.

“They are drawing up a map of the whole Rock River so that people that want to come here can look up this stuff,” he said. “That’s why we are trying to get out there; we want their input.”

Druen said support resolutions from individual cities also help secure federal funding.

He is waiting for support from Rock Falls’ Coloma Township Park District and the Rock Falls Community Development Corp.

The river truly is a beautiful and underused resource in the area. This is another opportunity to bring tourism to the entire Sauk Valley.

Go to rockrivertrail.com to learn more.

Sauk Valley Media reporter Kiran Sood covers government and happenings in Sterling and Rock Falls. She can be reached at ksood@saukvalley.com or at 800-798-4085, ext. 529.