A portion of the Lake Chaminwood Preserve loop trail in Channahon is closed for a Forest Preserve District path connection and fishing pier project.

The back section of the Lake Chaminwood Preserve loop trail that is closest to the canal trail also will be closed for the duration of the project. Barricades and signs have been posted on the trail. Anyone who disobeys the closure signs and barricades could be ticketed. 

The loop trail closure is necessary as work takes place to construct a 0.25-mile paved path extension that will link the Forest Preserve District's Lake Chaminwood loop trial to the 61.5-mile, state-owned I&M Canal trail via a 90-foot bridge over the canal. Also, two accessible fishing piers are being built, one on the east lake and one on the west lake. 

Lake Chaminwood is the planned southern terminus of the DuPage River Trail. Connecting Lake Chaminwood to the I&M Canal State Trail now will allow for the regional DuPage and I&M Canal trails to be connected in the future. 

The work is expected to be completed by mid-August. Weather and other factors could affect the project timeline. Updates will be posted here as necessary. 

This is the second phase of Forest Preserve District improvements at Lake Chaminwood Preserve. Phase one, which was completed in June 2023, included a larger parking lot, a new entrance, an accessible kayak launch and a welcome plaza. 

The improvements at Lake Chaminwood are being made possible with support from The Nature Foundation of Will County.