Open Lands Project - Newsletters, 1969-1976

This series includes materials which set the stage for the creation of the Illinois Prairie Path. These files demonstrate the actions of dedicated volunteers, supportive companies, and government officials which resulted in the IPP construction. While the date span of this collection does not entirely reflect this idea, the files included in this series relate specifically to the individuals and companies involved with the earliest days of the Path. The Correspondence between Founders, IPP Planning Committee file, and the files from the Open Lands Project reflect the crucial level of involvement and dedication of the original volunteers. Much of what is included in Correspondence and Planning files are notes and records of meetings with government and discussions of possible next steps. Gunnar Peterson and the support of the Open Lands Project through his service was critical to the success of the IPP. The Open Lands Project promoted and supported (financially and emotionally) the Path with Peterson playing a key role in facilitating its construction. The files labled as Gunnar Peterson were created and maintained by him while the other Open Lands files were compiled by the IPP volunteer. There may be overlap and duplicates within the two sets of files. The files include permissions and support garnered from the former CA&E Railroad, Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Commonwealth Edison, Northern Illinois Gas, and local groups and individuals. Both utilities supported the idea of the IPP and paid for advertisements to run in local newspapers promoting use of the new walking path. Additionally, ComEd paid for various maps to be made and distributed. Local groups and individuals became Endorsers of the Path, providing proof of interest to government officials. The early newsletters and solicitations of support to interested parites are included in the Mailings files. Other promotional materials included in this series regard the filmstrip. These files include correspondence with the DuKane Corporation about the creation of and their donation of the equipment for the filmstrip. Volunteers (especially Jane Sindt) introduced the idea of the Path to thousands of individuals through presentations to local school and church groups, public libraries, serives organizations, private companies and organizations, and government officials as demonstrated by the scheduling cards and correspondence found in the Viewings file. Much of the US, National Trails Survey, and Using Right of Ways for Recreation files provide support for the concept of reusing abandoned rail lines for a multi-purpose walking path. Locally, the Property Title Searches were a crucial step in the acquisition of the land for public right of way use. The Appalachian Trail file contains a reprint of the original legislation creating the Trail plus correspondence regarding the IPP's intentions and progress. The Physical Survey and Original Field Inspection Notes provide in great detail the condition and needs of the Path in its original state. A system of Maintainers was created to try to manage such a vast amount of land with a relatively small group of volunteers. Maintainers included families, service organizations, and individuals who were assigned a stretch of the Path to keep clean and monitor and report back to the Board on. The original roster of Maintainers is included. The files of DuPage County, Cook County and some cities include correspondence, news clippings, and resolutions to and from various governmental officials. Both support for and opposition to the Path can be found in these files. Additionally, one file includes alternative proposals by DuPage County and Wheaton for use of the abandoned railroad land.