Sierra Club members and Rock Island Trail employees after installing the Les and mary Bodell memorial bench on August 11th.

Thanks to many dedicated helpers, installation of a comfortable sitting bench along the Rock Island Trail near the Dunlap Library is nearly complete. The final step will be placement of a plaque honoring Les and Mary Bodell, long-time Heart of Illinois Group activists. Les Bodell was a key leader for the “Sparkling Waters” campaign for Illinois River clean-up in the early 1970’s after the group was formed in 1971. He continued in many roles with the group. He and Mary were activists in the battle to build the Rock Island Trail and preserve the Wyoming train depot. Mary and he were part of many outings and loved hosting events when they moved to a rural Tazewell County home outside of Washington. Thanks to all who donated over the years to the Bodell memorial fund to make this possible.