The DeKalb County Greenway and Trails Coalition is holding a planning session Tuesday for community members to express ideas for the location and design of new paths and trails.

The session’s goal is to begin a plan for a non-motorized infrastructure to connect DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland and Malta, said Julia Fauci, the coalition’s publicity director. She said she hopes for a turnout of at least 50 people at the session, including NIU students.

Planner Ann Freiwald will attend a second planning session at 7 p.m. May 4. Freiwald, of the Madison, Wis.-based firm Schreiber-Anderson and Associates, will evaluate the community’s ideas for paths and trails, Fauci said.

“Lots of times you show up [to school] and not everyone has a car. Bicycling can really help you get around,” Fauci said.

The coalition, together for about a year, applied for and received a $20,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant covers only the planning phase of the project.

“I’ve never seen a group like this. They really get a lot done,” Fauci said.

The DeKalb County Greenways and Trails Coalition and the Kishwaukee Valley Bicycle Club are sponsoring the sessions. For more information, call Julia Fauci at 758-4195 or e-mail the coalition at [email protected].