Forward Janesville - TheReport -Third Quarter 2022

Tourism boosts The new section of paved trail is a win for local tourism. The Peace Trail connects to the Ice Age Trail, a thousand-mile trail system that twists and turns across the state. It draws thousands of visitors through the state every year ranging from dedicated outdoors-people to leisurely family walkers. Having paved trail options is an amenity because it attracts cyclists of all ability levels who can feel confident they will have a safe stretch to ride. “(Paved) bike trails add nice opportunities for young families, a safe environment, where people don’t have to worry about cars. Another group that benefits is senior citizens who are more comfortable on a smooth trail than on a busy street,” Paynter said. In the weeks since the pavement project was completed, Paynter has received calls from people in Chicago who wanted to learn more about the trail and a woman looking to travel from Beloit through to Fort Atkinson. More hikers, bikers and rollers mean more people spending dollars at local businesses along the way. Workforce and economic development Having worked in human resources, Paynter said he understands the value recreational amenities have on workforce recruitment. “If you want to recruit people to your community, you need something else for them to see,” Paynter said. Residents who live on the trail often see increased property values, James said. “I would think the business community would benefit from more people between two communities, more people biking and walking,” Paynter said. “You can get people downtown walking past your store. Festival street has been just wonderful for Janesville and bike trail riders ride through it. You see a lot of people on bikes at the farmers market, making a morning of it.” The idea of unity and connection has always been significant to the Peace Trail. Beloit entrepreneur Ken Hendricks was an early champion for the Peace Trail uniting Janesville and Beloit, Paynter said. “His (Hendricks’) vision was to increase the unity between Beloit and Janesville. Get rid of the rivalry and promote peace, that is why they named it that,” Paynter said. Looking forward There are a few more trail gaps in Rock County to be completed in the coming years, Paynter said, including a gap across the Highway 26 bike pedestrian bridge, then a mile-and-a- half stretch connecting to the Glacial River Trail. Those gaps will continue to connect Janesville to more trail networks spanning different areas across the state. The Ice Age Trail Alliance’s ultimate goal is to get people on the trails, James said. He hopes to continue to see increasing numbers of users and volunteers, a trend that expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects like the Peace Trail paving project help solidify community partnerships, which leads to new projects and volunteer opportunities, James said. “I think that’s the idea of being a trail community, is you develop a lot of partnerships,” James said. “... Some people show up for projects not knowing what to expect but they stay there and keep going. That shows the value of the community.” “(Paved) bike trails add nice opportunities for young families, a safe environment, where people don’t have to worry about cars. Another group that benefits is senior citizens who are more comfortable on a smooth trail than on a busy street,” Paynter said. Rock Road completed the paving of the trail. Photo credit: Lindsay Cole