Senator Sue Rezin (38th District), second from right, and Edna Daugherty, activities director at Starved Rock Lodge, third from right, cut the ribbon to officially open the new interpretive trail at Starved Rock. (Photo contributed)

UTICA – A new Interpretive Trail recently opened at Starved Rock. “The trail cuts through the woods and runs from the Main Parking Lot of the Lodge to the Overflow Parking Area,” said Lodge Activities Director, Edna Daugherty, “This flat trail is easy to navigate and serves a purpose of allowing safe passage from the overflow lot to the Lodge and one of the main trailheads.” Daugherty began working on the project over a year ago when a newly passed House Bill 3455 allowed the public to maintain a trail. Daugherty pitched her idea to Lodge CEO Amy Trimble, Kerry Novak (park superintendent) and the Starved Rock Walkers Club, which now has over 40 active member who hike together every Thursday morning. Once everyone agreed, Daugherty began to gather content for the 11 interpretive signs that would be installed along the trail. The signs detail the history, beauty and legends of Starved Rock Lodge and State Park. Together, with the Walkers Club, they raised the funds to pay for the production and installation of those signs. “It’s not about the money raised to make this possible or the effort it took to install the signs, it’s about accessibility for everyone who visits here,” Daugherty concluded. Daugherty is hopeful that the Interpretive Trail will soon be made ADA compliant so even more visitors can enjoy the beauty of Starved Rock.