Heartland cuts ribbon on COUNTRY Financial Trail

Leadership from Heartland Community College and COUNTRY Financial joined to celebrate a project that expands the Constitution Trail in Normal around the College’s Birky Pond. 

The COUNTRY Financial Trail includes bird watching blinds, a gazebo, an outdoor classroom, and pond overlook in addition to over a mile of new walking and running trail bordered by native prairie. 

“We are committed to investing in local initiatives that strengthen our community,” said Jim Jacobs, CEO of COUNTRY Financial. “The COUNTRY Financial Trail will be a great asset to McLean County, and we thank Heartland Community College for their continued partnership in making a positive impact on those here in our community, whether it’s through mentorship and education or community spaces.” 

In addition to contributing to the trail project, COUNTRY also supports the COUNTRY Financial Scholars program (now in its fifth year) at Heartland Community College, which provides scholarship assistance, mentorship, and technology support to high school students in McLean County. COUNTRY and Heartland also partnered to create a Claims Apprenticeship program to connect local talent with claims roles at COUNTRY. 

“Community partners, such as COUNTRY Financial, are vital to the efforts at Heartland Community College to serve our students and our neighbors,” said Heartland President Keith Cornille. “This new trail, surrounded by 13 acres of restored prairie and wildlife found in and around Birky Pond, benefits Heartland students, community members, and visitors. The Trail is a connecting point for people and between places. We are grateful for the help of our community partners to facilitate those connections in the classroom, on our campus, and beyond.” 

The trail project is also supported by a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, as well as other private donors. 

Prairie restoration efforts and construction of additional trail features including a walking bridge and pavilion, will continue through the fall with a planned completion in spring of 2026.