Ready to get your steps in? Rockford area is home to dozens of walking paths
ROCKFORD — There’s nothing like a brisk walk to clear the mind and get the blood flowing after a long cold winter.
The Rockford region features a myriad of recreation paths for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and other exercise enthusiasts.
Some of the paths routinely attract hundreds of people each day while others are tucked away in neighborhoods and offer a more secluded option.
Rock River Recreation Path: The 10-mile path winds its way along the Rock River from Davis Park in Rockford to the Machesney Park Mall area. Some walkers prefer a loop from the YMCA north to the Auburn Street Bridge, west to Harlem Boulevard, south through Churchill’s Grove to the Whitman Street Bridge and back to the YMCA.
Rock Cut Path: The 1.25-mile path extends from Perryville Road to the Pierce Lake Dam in Rock Cut State Park and continues east for 2.3 miles on park roads to Olson Beach.
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Perryville Path: You can begin your journey on this 14.9 mile path system at Argus Drive near the intersection of East State St. and Perryville Rd., or at Saturn Playground on Trainer Road and continue north to the Willow Creek Path at Rock Cut State Park north of Harlem Road.
Mercyhealth Sportscore Two path: The 0.59 path links Sportscore Two to the northeast branch YMCA and Rivets Stadium.
Willow Creek Path: The 1.57-mile path along Willow Creek stretches between Harlem High School and Rock Cut State Park.
Midway Village Museum Loop: This 1.4 mile path off of Guilford Road in Rockford winds its way past the LZ Peace Memorial and through some dense woods.
Mel Anderson Memorial Path: This three-mile path winds its way along Kent Creek between Talcott-Page and Lockwood parks on Rockford’s west side.
Charles Street Community Path: Scenic 1.7-mile path extends along the south side of Charles Street between Quentin Drive and Perryville Road on Rockford’s southeast side.
Baumann Park Path: This 1.25-mile path loops around Baumann Park Lake in Cherry Valley and features a 9/11 Memorial, including a steel beam from ground zero.
Cherry Valley Path: This 1.4 mile path stretches from Swanson Parkway and Valley Woods Drive in Cherry Valley.
Paths in neighborhood parks
Levings Park: 1420 S. Pierpont Ave., Rockford, features a 1.3-mile paved roadway surrounding Levings Lake provides some beautiful scenery on the city’s southwest side.
Dahlquist Park: 3521 Oak Grove Ave., Rockford, offers a 0.43-mile walking path.
Landstrom Park: 3450 Landstrom Road, Rockford, features a 0.75-mile paved path.
Brown Park: 2010 N. Main St., Rockford, offers a 0.5-mile paved path.
Wantz Park: 602 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, features a 0.5-mile walking path.
Haight Park: Jefferson & First streets, Rockford, features a 0.32-mile path.
Ken DeCoster: kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Ready to get your steps in? Rockford area has dozens of walking paths
