He's Coming!!!

Tom Knapp is coming to Toluca for a Shooting Expo!!

Click here for details of the event!

Background:
Toluca, Illinois located in eastern Marshall County, is in the midst of what was once a vast prairie. The town was settled in the late 1800's as a coal supply depot for the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1893, the Santa Fe Railroad purchased 11,000 acres in the Toluca area and authorized the Develin Coal Company to mine the site. Peak production occurred in 1905, with well over 700 workers mining 379,000 tons of coal. In 1924, with the advent of diesel trains reducing the demand for coal, the mine closed leaving behind two massive slag piles as a prominent feature in the town. These huge slag piles are locally referred to as the "Jumbos". Until 1999, the mine site had unsecured mine shafts, was being used as a dumping ground, and one of the slag piles was severely eroded.

Future Needs
To enhance the usability of the park there is need for a shelter with restrooms, additional trails to network with the existing trail, and additional plantings for beauty and wildlife.  A shelter will provide a place for educational classes, space for family and community gatherings, and enable the elderly and people with disabilities to better utilize the park .

Project Goal
The goal of this project is to design and build an accessible shelter with restrooms, expand the trail network, and add plantings for beauty and wildlife in the Toluca Coal Mine Park.

Who will be served by this project
The shelter, restrooms, trails, and landscaping additions to the park will enable all residents and visitors to better utilize and improve their experience while at the park.  These additions will expand the use of the park to the elderly and to those with disabilities.  Restrooms and a shelter, expand the possibilities for usage of the park by people of all ages for a wide variety of activities and events. 

Activities for implementing the project

• Secure funding
• Develop construction plans for the structure
• Lay a water line to shelter site
• Build the structure
• Lay-out trails to connect with existing trail
• Build the network of trails
• Develop a landscape plan
• Install the plantings

Who will carry out the project
City of Toluca
Toluca Coal Mine Preservation and Development Association

Where the project will take place
The shelter is planned for the area at the base of the north "Jumbo" to the east of the lake.  The wetland area will be turned into a natural habitat with 110 acres of hiking. The trails will be extended throughout the park.  Landscaping around the shelter area and along trails will be accomplished.

The timeframe for the project

The background and qualifications of your organization
The City of Toluca, owner of the property and responsible for its maintenance, has added several amenities to the site.  The City would be the administrator and grant recipient for government funds secured for the project.

Toluca Coal Mine Preservation and Development Association is a not-for-profit organization (501(c)3 designation pending) would be the administrator and recipient of funds acquired from private contributions for the project.  

Both entities will work together on the development of plans and installation of all components of the project.

The cost of the project 
The estimated cost of the project is $150,000.00

The project p l a n s
The preliminary project plans include the following (does not include the restrooms) :

1.  Dimensions
     1.1 Width = 36 ft
1.2 Length = 64 ft
     1.3 Height of Beams = 12 ft (steel)

2.  Construction
2.1  Roof = Tin, pre-painted (color undecided)
     2.2  Retractable walls between the roof and ceiling (with locks)
            Walls lock at the top and bottom; usable during inclement weather
     2.3  Concrete thickness depends on the lay of the land
     2.4  Railings installed to hold the locked walls
     2.5  Ramps-ten feet wide on four sides (no steps)
     2.6  Gutters and drain pipes on outside of building
     2.7  Hooks on all four sides for outdoor movie screens
     2.8  Water facilities just outside of shelter

3.  Lighting
     3.1  Approximately twenty-four ceiling lights
     3.2  Timed vapor lights on outside of building
     3.3  Main ceiling light will have a security lock

4.  Electrical
4.1  All wiring encased
     4.2  Measurement needed for proper height (200amps) - with covers
     4.3  Covered outlets down each side and in each corner, approximately a total of twenty outlets,
            a minimum of 200amps needed
     4.4  All electrical work to be up to building code

The benefits of the project
The implementation of this project will enhance the usability of the park and make the space more inviting for people of the immediate and neighboring communities to use the park and to celebrate Toluca's mining heritage.  This project will:

• Provide shelter during inclement weather and year-round usage of the park.
• Expand trail system for exercise, physical rehabilitation and wildlife viewing.
• Place for educational institutions to provide learning activities for elementary, junior and senior high school students.
• Place for train watching.
• Place for community and family gatherings.
• Improve accessibility for the elderly and those with disabilities.
• Location for community events, such as band concerts & outdoor movies.
• Place to celebrate the community's mining history and for events held in conjunction with Marshall County Historical Society.
• Facility for youth activities - Boy and Girl Scouts (camping & outings), 4-H, and FFA functions.

Donations
Anyone interested in supporting or contributing to the Toluca Coal Mine Park may directed their interests or payments to:

Toluca Coal Mine Assn Shelter Fund
City of Toluca
P. O. Box 516
Toluca, IL  61369