The first extension extends the trail a mile beyond the Fish Lake Road/Gilmer Road Trailhead parking lot. The segment is under the auspices of the Forest Preserve District though at least part of the extension was paid for by the Village of Volo as part of a land-swap agreement. As seen in this photo, the trail is paved, indicating horses will not be allowed west of the trailhead.
The trail weaves across a former corn field and then travels between the Autumn Grove and Symphony Meadows sub-divisions as seen below. Though unfinished in this photo, the trail was paved a few month later.
As I understand it, the Village of Volo is responsible for this segment through the sub-division, then up a wooded hillside and down the other side as it circles in front of the new Volo Village Hall. It then parallels Fish Lake Road, crosses Route 60, over to and across Route 120, and then north along Fish Lake Road to the as yet undeveloped Marl Flat Forest Preserve. The new paved extension at this point is built atop the new buried Nicor gas pipeline. Continuation into Marl Flat Preserve will be a future construction project, hopefully in 2009.
The second extension is a 2 mile long spur trail heading east from the Route 176/Fairfield intersection, with the new trail running between Route 176 and the dog exercise area, ...
... and then into and through the former Four Winds Golf Course property to Gilmer Road. A future underpass will take the trail under Gilmer and into the undeveloped Ray Lake Farm Forest Preserve. The section of the trail through the golf course is sited on a magnificent wooded hillside of mature trees and includes water features. A bridge is being constructed over a finger of the lake, and the former golf cart paths add additional mileage to a ride or walk there.
Thanks to the Lake County Forest Preserve District for acquiring and developing these new lands!
