Some college students will help promote a local historic landmark. A class at the University of Illinois, called "Communications in Recreation, Sport and Tourism," is asking residents to take a survey about the Hennepin Canal Trail and State Park.
Russell Medley, from the University of Illinois Extension, says the Hennepin's trail system is 104 miles long, spanning Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Whiteside, and Lee Counties. And, the class chose to study the canal, because a lot of people still don't know where it is.
He says current activities along the Hennepin Canal include hiking, kayaking, biking, and camping. It opened in 1907, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The survey is asking for people's opinions about the canal's trails, including why or why not they use them, and what can be improved. Then next month, the class will write a report and present it to Friends of the Hennepin Canal and other groups. It'll focus on ways communities can better market tourism activities and use of the trail.
Friday is the final day to complete the survey, which can be found online, at the University of Illinois Extension's website, or here: web.extension.illinois.edu/hmrs