On the second Saturday in May, a group of men on five recumbent tricycles took an adventure ride from Staunton to Worden on the Quercus Grove Trail.  There were no time tables or schedules whatsoever, which made it all the more enjoyable. They visited the "Yellow Dog" in Worden for coffee and had brunch at the "Staunton Family Restaurant" upon their return.  As a result of this venture, an inspiration was born to have a Second Saturday Tour each month, to be promoted by the ITS Trail Committee.

The purpose of the Second Saturday Tour is to encourage everyone throughout the area to be outdoors between the hours of 8 a.m. and Noon on the Second Saturday of every month.  There are no distance requirements or timetables.  Just walk or ride your bike around your block, neighborhood, town or trail on the morning of the second Saturday of each month. The Second Saturday Tour is all about you, so you are encouraged to smile and wave to your neighbors, meet and visit with those around you and enjoy walking or riding on your tour.  Perhaps you will discover a new trail, an old coffee shop or an old friend along the way. We would like for you to share your adventure with all of us by sending your comments to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or to your local newspaper.

The Second Saturday Tour is only a start and it begins June 13, 2009, and every second Saturday thereafter.  We encourage you to walk or to ride your bike as often as possible in your daily life.  We all benefit from being a little greener and our health depends on it. 

A group will be leaving next from Duda Garden, 205 N. Union St at 8AM on Saturday, July 11, riding to Worden and back.  Please join them.

The long awaited dedication of the new Worden to Staunton segment of the MCT Quercus Grove Trail has been rescheduled for July 10 at 10:00am.   It will be held near the water tower at Union and Sixth streets in Staunton.  This day was picked due to the Tour de Donut the next day. 

Please attend and feel free to share the invitation with friends and family.  Let's have a grand turnout to welcome the trail into Staunton.

The annual members meeting of the Illinois Traction System (ITS) Trail Committee, Inc. was held on Tuesday, March 3, 2009.  Following the regular business meeting, Diane Banta with the National Park Service made a presentation titled "Trails Across America," which discusses what trails look like, how they are being used and the benefits of trails to local communities and residents.  She addressed issues pertinent to the ITS Trail project such as the how to's of partnerships (including local governments), stakeholders and property owner basics: private and corporate property owners and funding basics.  Her presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

The ITS Trail Committee would like to thank Diane and all of the attending members for their time and support.

More details on the meeting as well as links to Diane's presentation will be posted shortly.

Since its dedication on June 2, 2007, Duda Garden has seen much activity. This beautiful memorial garden has been host to weddings, concerts, a garden tour, bicycle riders and many visitors, in search of a quiet spot to eat lunch or simply stroll around the grounds and enjoy the beauty. 

Duda Garden is a true community project, established and supported by many generous volunteers and contributors who spent countless hours planning, constructing and tending this wonderful addition to downtown Staunton. Located just one block from Main St at 205 N. Union, the Garden serves as both the ending point for the newly completed Worden to Staunton segment of Madison County Transit District’s (MCT) Quercus Grove Trail from Worden and the Trail Head for the proposed Illinois Traction System (ITS) Trail to Benld. Duda Garden is the gateway into Macoupin County and serves as a stopping point on a trail system which will ultimately connect St Louis, MO with Springfield, IL.  

While many users of the newly completed MCT Quercus Grove Trail from Worden consider the end of the asphalt trail at Sixth St to be the end of the trail, it really isn’t. Just follow the “Bike Route” signs for six more blocks and you’ll find Duda Garden with its beautiful gazebo and comfortable benches. A peaceful setting, where one can rest, relax and refresh.

While Duda Garden is ideal, the initial long range plan of the Duda Garden Committee was to provide rest room facilities, a relaxation area and a visitors center for those who use the trail, as well as all citizens and visitors to Staunton. A group of dedicated volunteers is currently in the developmental stage of that plan. 

So if you're coming, going, or just passing through Staunton, stop and enjoy Duda Garden.