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Trailhead Information
Users may access the Ralph B. Birks Recreational Trail from various parking lots along Ben Butterworth Parkway. The largest of which is located between 54th & 55th streets on Old River Drive. Parking is also available just west and east of 34th Street along River Drive and at Sylvan Gateway Park at 101 1st Avenue, Moline.
Description
The Ralph B. Birks Recreational Trail offers an easy to moderate trail experience for trail enthusiasts as it follows along the 4.2 mile southern shoreline of the Mississippi River Moline, Illinois. Much of the trail is located in Ben Butterworth Memorial Parkway, but portions run along roads, sidewalks, and separated paths adjacent to downtown Moline. The terrain is flat and surface is concrete and asphalt.
Users can rest or play at several parks along the way. Access to downtown amenities is just a few blocks away. And all the recreational and natural opportunities of the world’s premier waterway, the Mighty Mississippi River, await trail users. Entertainment, shopping, and dining amenities as well as growing residential offerings make the trail a potential transportation link for visitors and residents alike.
The Ralph B Birks Recreational Trail is part of the larger the Great River Trail (GRT) system. Running for 60 miles from Rock Island to Savanna, Illinois, in the Illinois Quad Cities, the trail is a continuous, flat, hard-surfaced multipurpose trail for all ages and abilities. As the GRT winds through riverfront communities and countryside, walkers, runners, and cyclists will enjoy breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for shopping and dining.
This trail also includes a fitness station nearby. Genesis Power Sports Performance invites you to take a break from the trail and tackle the Genesis HealthBeat outdoor fitness system, where you can enjoy the best of the gym in the great outdoors. From plyometrics to Tai Chi, the nine-station HealthBeat system provides an outdoor circuit training experience with cardiovascular, strength training, endurance and flexibility benefits. People of all fitness levels can start with exercises shown on the instructional signage at each station, and then create more challenging workouts by varying their activities.
Other Information
The Ralph B. Birks Recreational Trail in Moline is also part of two other significant trail networks: the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) and the American Discovery Trail (ADT). The MRT is a 3,000 mile trail system that follows the Mississippi River from the headwaters in Itasca, Minnesota to the delta at the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, Louisiana provides access and connections to neighborhoods, commercial districts, industrial areas, recreational areas, and historical landmarks at the local, state, and national level. The American Discovery Trail traverses the U.S., coast to coast, from California to Delaware for more than 6,800 miles across 15 states.
Elevation Profile
The elevation profile above approximates terrain along the specified section of trail and is provided for general information. Use your best judgment to choose trails with elevation changes to match your comfort level. See QC Trails Terms of Use for more information.
Trail Manager
Visit the Moline Parks and Recreation Department online for more information or contact:
City of Moline, Illinois
3635 4th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
Phone: (309) 524-2424
ybrolander@moline.il.us
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