Volunteers Install 160 Trail Drainages in Shawnee
Greencorps Chicago crew members worked with Shawnee National Forest's trail crew to reduce erosion on forest trails.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hiking
Greencorps Chicago crew members installed 160 drainages on trails in the Shawnee National Forest over three days. The work also included new signs, cedar posts for horse tie-line areas, and upgraded fencing.
Why it matters
The drainages help control erosion and make trails less prone to flood damage, benefiting hikers and other forest users across Illinois. The project marks 10 years of cooperation between Greencorps Chicago and the forest.
The crew installed 160 trail drainages in three days, alongside new signs, cedar posts for horse tie-line areas, and upgraded fencing. The source does not report how the drainages will perform over time.
The players
Greencorps Chicago
Greencorps Chicago is a Chicago-based program focused on urban development of green spaces that also offers credential and learning opportunities for employment.
Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest is a federally managed forest in southern Illinois known for its hiking and horse trails.
The details
Greencorps Chicago crew members worked alongside the forest's trail crew to install the drainages, which divert water off trails. Greencorps Chicago focuses on urban development of green spaces and provides credential and learning opportunities for employment.
Timeline
The work took place over three days.
The partnership between Greencorps Chicago and Shawnee National Forest has now lasted 10 years.
Trail Partnership
The project extends a decade-long cooperation between Greencorps Chicago and the Shawnee National Forest. It shows how ongoing partnerships are used to maintain trails in Illinois's public forests.
Hikers using Shawnee National Forest trails may find better drainage and improved signage and fencing on the sections the crew worked on. Horse riders may benefit from the new cedar posts in tie-line areas.
The takeaway
Trail drainage work like this helps keep forest paths usable after heavy rain, so hikers planning trips in southern Illinois can expect better-maintained routes where the crew worked.
Further reading
For more on trail maintenance, see Hiking coverage across Illinois.
