Black History Hike

1500 Monument Avenue,Springfield IL 62702

19 February, 2022

Description

This 90-minute walk through Oak Ridge Cemetery focuses on the history of Springfield’s Black community. This 90-minute hike around Oak Ridge Cemetery focuses on the history of Springfield’s Black community, discussing great tragedies and stories of success in the face of severe adversity and prejudice. Hiking shoes are recommended. Hikes will depart from the Lincoln Tomb parking lot at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during February. State historic sites and Springfield Ald. Shawn Gregory to offer Black History Month‘Walk, Hike and Bike History’ tours SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Springfield Ald. Shawn Gregory will present a series of free “Walk, Hike and Bike History” activities during Black History Month. “Walk, Hike and Bike History” experiences empower participants to connect with must-see museums, landmarks and monuments in the capital city. “The IDNR is pleased to offer this opportunity for people to get outdoors this February and learn more about Black history and achievements in Springfield,” said Colleen Callahan, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “These unique tours will help us remember the past and strengthen our understanding of the present.” All tours are free. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made through the IDNR website at historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov. Call 217-524-3971 to request additional days and times. “As we learn more about the history before our eyes in our own communities, we gain a clearer picture of our duties to preserve and celebrate all history – of all cultures – all year round,” Alderman Gregory said. “The words ‘stronger together’ have never had more meaning to me.” The Black History Month schedule of “Walk, Hike and Bike History” experiences in Springfield includes: Black History Hike – This 90-minute hike around Oak Ridge Cemetery focuses on the history of Springfield’s Black community, discussing great tragedies and stories of success in the face of severe adversity and prejudice. Hiking shoes are recommended. Hikes will depart from the Lincoln Tomb parking lot at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during February. History Bike Tour –Ride your own bicycle following a guide on a casual and easy-paced tour of historic sites in the capital city. This neighborhood-style ride will go past historic sites, including the Dana-Thomas House, the Lincoln Home, and the city’s first Black fire house. Information will be provided at multiple stops along the route. The five-mile round-trip ride, which includes a hot cocoa break, sponsored by the Springfield Bicycle Club at the Route History Museum, will take about two hours. Helmets are required and water is recommended. Bike rides will depart from the Dana-Thomas House parking lot at 1 p.m. on Feb. 21and 26. All experiences will follow the health and safety guidelines outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. A full schedule of 2022 “Walk, Hike and Bike History” tours will be announced mid-March and continue through mid-November. Agreement to the following is required to participate in this program. In registering for this program, you are agreeing to these terms. PLEASE NOTE: PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED IF PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ORDER TO BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE ABOVE-REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY SPONSORED OR ARRANGED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (IDNR), THE PARTICIPANT HEREBY UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO RELEASE, DEFEND, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE IDNR, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OTHER INVITEES AND LICENSEES FROM ANY AND ALL COSTS, EXPENSES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, SETTLEMENTS, INVESTIGATIONS BY ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY, INQUIRIES, JUDGMENTS, FINDINGS, COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES (INCLUDING THE REASONABLE VALUE OF TIME SPENT BY THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE) AND THE COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES OF OTHER COUNSEL REQUIRED TO DEFEND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND/OR THE IDNR RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM THE PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ABOVE- REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY AND SPECIFCALLY: (1) ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT; (2) ANY NEGLIGENT, INTENTIONAL OR WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION OF THE PARTICIPANT: (3) THE PARTICIPANT’S PERFORMANCE OR ATTEMPTED PERFORMANCE OF ANY RIGHT, DUTY OR OBLIGATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR (4) A COVID- 19 ILLNESS AND/OR ANY OTHER ILLNESS(ES) CAUSED BY, OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FOREGOING OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE IDNR EVENT/ACTIVITY. The Participant, while participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity, understands and agrees to: (a) Comply with all Executive Orders the Office of Illinois Governor has issued pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) Comply with all guidelines, regulations and rules the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health have issued, pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic; (c) Purchase, have and wear at all times a cloth face covering while on IDNR property or on any other property and (d) Practice social distancing at all times while on IDNR property or on any another property. The Participant understands and agrees that there are any number of risks associated with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant understands that the abopve-referenced event/activity may take place on IDNR property and/or property belonging to others. The Participant represents that he/she is in good health and suffers no physical impairment that will or could prevent successfully participating in the above- referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant hereby grants and conveys to IDNR all rights, title and interest in any and all photographs, images, videos or audio recordings of his/her likeness or voice in connection with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant understands and agrees that he/she is responsible for obtaining private insurance coverage in the event of personal injury, illness or damage to any property or person while, or because of, participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant understands and agrees that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Illinois and furthermore understands and agrees that if any portion of this Agreement is deemed invalid, the remaining portions shall continue in full legal force and effect. ***Signature page follows*** UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED AS TO THE ABOVE: ______________________________________________________________