it _ • Page 9 - Pl.AlNDEAlrfi NIPC to help fund construction of bikeways By Angela Burden PUtndMtor Herald New* Service Bikeways are growing in counties surrounding McHenry County and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) is willing to offer assistance to governmental bodies and communities proposing new bikeways. According to Suzan A. Pinsof, an associate planner with NIPC's transportation division, NIPC is willing to promote cooperation between local governments and can offer technical assistance on the planning, funding and mapping of new bikeway proposals. t "NIPC does not implement the plan, we mainly give planning assistance," Pinsof said. \--1---- - With the exception of the bikeway in Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry County has no existing, publicly-administered bikeways, Pinsof said. However, the McHenry County Con servation District has proposed three major bikeway developments which would provide 30 miles of bikeways in Stop smoking support group starts Jan. 9 The Lake Region YMCA is sponsoring a "Freedom From Smoking clinic program designed to help smokers kick the habit permanently. The seven-session clinic will begin on Jan. 9, and finish on Feb. 27 with a special celebration. Sessions will be held on Wed nesdays at 7 p.m. "This is a brand new clinic program," says Doug Neush- wander, "which the American Lung Association has spent five years developing and testing across the country." In those tests, 80 to 90 percent of smokers who attended the clinic quit smoking during the clinic. The clinic, he says, em phasizes unlearning a habit and Ok does not involve scare tactics. "We try to make quitting a less stressful experience and help smokers figure out better ways to cope with situations that ordinarily trigger their lighting up," says Neushwander. Small group exchanges are a vital part of the program. "In this approach we help smokers develop an individual plan of action to quit, introduce them to relaxation techniques, identify their triggers, en courage exercise, and help devise ways to avoid weight gain," he says. "By the third session, we expect smokers to be off cigarettes. Then we help them launch and practice their new lifestyle as a nonsmoker." Maintenance-- practicing staying off cigarettes-is a central focus. An orientation session-to introduce smokers to the program, will be held at Lake Region YMCA on Jan. 9. Enrollment is limited and a fee will be charged. Advance . registration is required. More information is available from the Lake Region YMCA at 7315 So. Rte. 31, Crystal Lake. The phone number is Vkr - 385-0500 the county. An existing regional bicycle route which starts in DuPage County and heads north into Kane County is now complete to St. Charles. According to a,NIPC bikeway map, it has been proposed .to continue that regional route northwards through Elgin to West Dundee and on up to Crystal Lake. The MCCD has proposed that approximately six miles of bikeways be constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of- way from Hebron to the Wisconsin border. Another bikeway* could be p mm SLENDER '•M--CENTER* L Hearing Aid Users... Save up to 50% OH All Hearing AM Batteries CallTOLL FREE 1-800-247-HEAR Limited Time Offer Crystal Lake UPHOLSTERING 151 N. Main & Prairie (in retr) 815-459-0653 35% DISCOUNT ON ALL UPHOLSTERY H W* Sell Foam Rubbr. I Webbing I Supplies •Custom Upholstering •Repan in| I Regluing •Caning Supplies •Olfice furniture Repeu Jim. Larry A Oorta Seymour built along the Chicago & North Western railroad tracks bet ween Richmond and McHerry. Passenger service has boen discontinued on that section of track. According to NIPC, a third bikeway has been proposed for construction in conjunction with an Illinois Department of T r a n s p o r t a t i o n h i g h w a y project, FAP 420, from the Lake County border through Rich mond to the Wisconsin state line. Lack of lands may preclude construction of both the con troversial highway and the bikeway, in which case the high way right-of-way might still be considered for trail develop ment, Pinsof reported. Moraine Hills State Park, where the county's lone bikeway exists, is located about three miles southeast of McHenry. The park, which borders on the, Fox River, occupies an area of 1,668 acres. The 11 miles of meandering bicycle and hiking trails are surfaced with crushed limestone and offer a scenic view of the park. NIPC authorities report the northeastern Illinois region has approximately 620.5 miles of existing bikeways and 646.5 miles of proposed bikeways. ' Bicycling is a popular sport Pa*e 9-PI.AINDEAI^K-HKR VLI). WKIVNESDAI .JAMJAR* 9. 1983 x and a significant transportation Si Fighting a Lacing Battle - £T--'US with Your Weight? , Is It Winning? Then try the ALLFOODTAB -- alternative in northeastern Illinois. Public interest has steadily increased as new bicycle clubs are formed and various organizations attempt to coordinate bicycling interests within the region. Persons interested in joining a club can contact the McHenry County Bicycle Club, care of Scott Of fond, Box • 173, Ringwood, 111. 60072. A To encourage bicycle use in northeastern Illinois, NIPC has produced a guide for local of ficials on planning and im plementation techniques, which is available on request. L 100% pure, natural vegetable nutrition in delicious I 20-calorie tablets. | J For more information, contact your nearest [ AUFOOOTAI Independent Distributor. j CALL (815) 344.256* j 1945 mmmm 5 CO ' jji g - " 2 ^ w j w j O i vii yi 11 4 M li.l W « VI - - - E ioii Si (AO* 00 U DC U k e li Urn it-ta is