2020 Annual Report

2020

ANNUAL

REPORT

Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION

Trail Connections

A newsletter published by the Linn County Trails Association

April 2021

WE MAKE Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION

TRAILS

HAPPEN. 2020 Trails Development Expenditures

$25,000 to Linn Area Mountain Biking Association

$35,000 to ConnectCR

to develop amenities at Cedar Lake and build a new pedestrian bridge over the Cedar River

to create an additional 3 miles of singletrack along the Sac and Fox Trail, from Bertram Road to East Post Road

$1,750 to Linn County Conservation for trail amenities

LCTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

Phillip Platz | President

Dean Barnum

Dick Mundy

Steve Hershner | Vice-President

Vicky Evans

Tom Peffer

Dave Dechant | Treasurer

Paul Fiegen

Larry Scott

Brad Mullin | Secretary

Jim Fraise

Keith Sutherland

Kevin Kirchner | Past-President

Diane Handler

John Wauer

Nick Jorgensen

Dick Woodward

Kyle Lundberg

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Kesha Billings

Ron Griffith

Randy Burke

Robert McKillip

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

Curt Eilers

Brent Neighbor

Keith Fletcher

Esther Wilson

Ed Holstrom

Brandon Whyte

Ron McGraw

Mike Wilson

Dennis Goemaat

Baoli Yang

Board meetings are on the second Monday of every month (except July and December). Meetings have been held virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. All board meetings are open to the public and streamed live via Facebook. Contact us on our Facebook page to receive a Zoom link for enhanced participation.

HAPPY TRAILS! One of the things I love about this community is how everybody is welcome to grab a seat at the table, get involved, and make a difference.

When I was new to town, taking my first post-collegiate job as a newscast director at KGAN CBS 2 in Cedar Rapids 11 years ago, it didn’t take me long to discover our growing trails network. Early on, I remember our station covering neighborhood opposition to the developing CeMar Trail, where it now runs behind several homes near Arthur Elementary School. Fast forward. Some of those same neighbors have reached out to us in support of the trail, looking forward to its upcoming completion. It can be hard to comprehend how much we’ve grown in such a short time, into a community that embraces trails as creators of recreational and economic opportunity — with twice as many miles to enjoy!

As a newcomer, hopping on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail was how I met some of the folks who would become close friends even today. My interest in the fast-paced development of our trails network led me to become involved in LCTA, which led me to get further involved in my community and additional nonprofits.

Today I’m so humbled to count myself among the ranks of our inspiring board and membership who have captivated the respect of our community and — in 2020 — donated its one-millionth dollar to trails development efforts in Linn County. What an accomplishment!

That $1 million has been used to leverage and unlock investments in our trails system that reach many magnitudes higher than our organization’s contributions alone.

This report details several of the incredible achievements of our Association in Calendar Year 2020. We think it does well to reflect the tremendous support our small (but mighty) group has garnered.

I hope you enjoy learning more about how we’re continually putting our mission — to Make Trails Happen — into action.

One of our most exciting stories in 2020 is fresh, new movement on the Lincoln–Interurban Trail to Mount Vernon. I need to thank our past president, Tom Peffer, for moving mountains to ensure this trail becomes a reality. Please be sure to enjoy his account of the trail’s history starting on page 9 of this report. I hope you’ll also consider making a contribution to our 2020–21 Capital Campaign — geared toward making trails like the Lincoln–Interurban happen. You can find more on that within the report as well.

Sincerely, Phillip Platz President, LCTA

2020 Expenses & Income $60,750

$5,514 $8,763

$44,559

Trails Development Expenditures Operations Expenditures Operations Income Trail Development Contributions

2020 Year-End Balances Operations....................................$18,230 Various Trails Development.......$64,702

Capital Campaign Update 2020 CYE

2021 CYE Goal

$17,679

$200,000

To raise additional funds for the development of priority trails.

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MEMBER SURVEY

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early 400 LCTA members participated in our firstever LCTA Membership Survey in 2020. The survey helped us understand our constituents’ appetite for various types of trails and priority connections. It also helped us understand how to better reach and serve LCTA members. Below is a sample of survey results. You can find the full survey outcomes document on our website at linncountytrails.org. Thank you for your feedback and continued support! ■ How do you use the trails?

Select as many as applicable.

Bicycle Walk Run Commute Other

11.2% 1.8%

56.9%

25.6%

How often do you use the trails in Linn County?

90.3%

During the past year, has your use of trails:

At least weekly… 52.9% Almost daily… 28.5% Monthly… 14.1% Rarely… 4.5%

Increased… 50% Stayed the same… 37.7% Decreased… 12.3%

Types of trails in order of preference.

(1, 2, or 3 on scale from 1– Most to 3 – Third Most) Paved trails connecting several cities Connections from neighborhood parks to trails

Single-track bike trails (mountain biking) Trails with children-focused amenities Equestrian trails Other

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THANK YOU! $1,000+ Trail Builder Alliant Energy Foundation* Jeff Bales* Don Bender Collins Aerospace* Sashi Solomon & Kevin Eck* Robert & Linda Erlandson* Stephen & Joanne Hammes Tork & Lynn Harman Ron Harriman, Benchmark Inc.* Donald F & Roberta Kaas* Ron McGraw United Fire Group* John & Mary Wauer Mike & Esther Wilson Richard & Ann Woodward* Baoli & Sunny Zhang Yang $500–$999 Trail Blazer Greg & Teresa Barnett* Dean & Janice Barnum* Gordon & Jann Baustian Jim Bazan Diane Handler & Robert Becker Clarence Boesenberg Becky Boscaljon* John & Judy Bryant* David & Carolyn Evans* Marilyn Gott* Ruth Macke & Charles Grado Kevin Kirchner* Theodore & Kathy Kron* Gary Roling* William (Duffy) & Belva Schamberger Jack & Lori Tibbs Bob & Bertha Tribuno

Linn County Trails Association appreciates all of its members and those whose financial support in 2020 helped to Make Trails Happen! $100–$499 Trail Partner Troy & Geri Albrecht Anonymous Nancy & Brice Anton-Jensen* Margo Ballou Sarah Barber Michael Barkalow Chuck & Jan Barnes Joel Barnum* Brian Bast Kesha Billings Jon Bogert Alan Buck Jeffrey & Diane Buffo Bob Buntz Tony Burton Leo Buzalsky* Tony & Patti Cahill* Brian Cain Carol & Bill Calloway David & Alexandria Carey* John Chaimov Jeanne Chelikowsky Jane Christiansen* Cliff Clendenen* Ken & Becky Collier* Paul & Nancy Craig* Ronald Daly James & Diane Daubenmier Michael Davis David & Kathy Dechant Margaret deSalme Vic & Lee Ann Dielschneider* Brian & Teri Donnelly Richard & Mary Doyle Amy Dudgeon John Dulle

David & Jan Dvorak Mike & Peggy Emery David & Marla Erickson* Vicky Evans Paul Fiegen Michael Forcier* Jim Fraise Robert & Susan Frederick* Dennis Gladhill Dennis Goemaat Kathy Good* Mark Goodsmith Ron Griffith* Allison & Michael Heffern* Roger Heidt Sue Henderson Bill Henricksen Steve & Marta Hershner Darryl High Joseph Hilgendorf Cheryl Hoch Jim & Ann Hoffman Kevin Hoheisel* Ed & Becky Holstrom* Brian & Sandy Holterhaus Daniel Holterhaus David Jeffries Nicholas Jorgensen* Greg Kanz Kevin & Gail Kennedy Larry & Carole Kerr* Christine & Roger Kirpes Jim & Barbara Klein Roger Kolb Whealen & Laura Koontz* Edward Kosowski

*Denotes 2020–21 Capital Campaign contributors through March 2021.

Larry & Mary Kramer Jeff Lake Bruce & Kim Lehrman Ann Leland Steven & Lisa Loesch Alma Long Nancy Lorenzini Donna Lubben Laura & Kyle Lundberg* Steve & Denise Maze Gary & Kelly McAfee Rex McCright* Daniel & Karla McGrail Robert McKillip* Laura Meade* James & Rose Marie Monagan Bob & Susie Moran* Ed & Barbara Mumford Mark NiDay* Ron & Sue Olson* Scott & Penny Olson Kimberly Oltmann Kyle Olund Scott Overland Gary & Kelley Palmer Jesse Pate Sarah Pauley* John Persick* Craig Rairdin Mark Ramsey Mary Kemen & Brian Randall Larry Reeve* Greg Reynolds Byron Riley* Steve Rinderknecht Kurt Rogahn* 5

Keeping Tally

T

rail counters measure the use of several trails across Linn County. You may have seen the blue, brown or white posts on either side of the trail, usually near a trail head.

The devices use infrared, similar to a TV remote, to send a beam of light from one of the posts to the other.

When the second post detects an interruption in the light beam, a count is recorded. The detector measures the beam interruption period and time between interruptions to

prevent false counts from rain drops, swinging arms, and other events which could produce erroneous counts.

This trail usage data is hard data that the Linn County Trails Association and its partners have used to demonstrate the importance of trails to Linn County residents and visitors.

The data has helped to justify money for the construction, improvement, paving, and maintenance of trails over time. ■

60,000

60,000 50,000

Cedar Rapids Metro Trails Weekly Trail Usage for June - July Cedar Rapids Metro Trails Weekly Trail Usage for June - July

50,000

Lindale Trail

40,000

Hoover Trail, Ely Sac & Fox Trail, Cole St. Lindale Trail Sac & Fox Trail, East Post Rd.

40,000

Hoover Trail, Ely Boyson Trail, Marion Sac & Fox Cedar LakeTrail, TrailCole St.

30,000

Sac Fox Trail, CRT&Sokol Park East Post Rd. Boyson Trail, Marion CRT McCloud Pl.

30,000

Cedar Lake Trail CVNT Boyson Rd. CRT ParkHome Rd. CVNTSokol County

20,000

CRT Pl. CVNTMcCloud Lafayette CVNT Rd. CVNT Boyson Center Point 20,000

CVNT County Home Rd.

10,000

CVNT Lafayette CVNT Center Point

10,000 0

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

View more Trail Usage data — and find out how your support to build trails can be as simple 0 scanning a trail number — on our website!

2005 as 2006 2007 2008a QR 2009 Code 2010 and 2011 submitting 2012 2013 2014 2015 count 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Visit linncountytrails.org and navigate to the Trails > Trail Usage menu item.

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2020 Trail Supporters, continued

Linn County Trails

Bob & Judi Whetstine Rush Henry & Barbara Schmoll* Larry Scott Janice Sevey Richard & Joan Smith* Al & Jacqui Sorensen James & Nancy Spencer* Bill Stepanek Terry Strait Keith & Nancy Sutherland Curtis Taylor Terri Thayer Bruce & Lynn Tiemann* Mike Tow* Robert & Ann Tow* Leonard Verdeck* Terry Wegener Bryan & Gayla Wesner Jim & Peg Whalen Keith Whipple Brad Willhite Gail & Paul Williams Jim & Barbara Wing Mike & Jo Woods Mike Yakos Chad & Christine Zach Daniel Zange*

“

My husband and I are avid bike riders and used the trail extensively during the quarantine.

We felt very fortunate to be able to ride our bikes when so many other activities were unavailable.

— LCTA Member Survey

TRAIL UPDATE

ASSOCIATION

The Edgewood Trail now continuously connects from O Avenue NW to the Cedar River’s edge, with additional northward expansion expected soon!

$20–$99 Trail Scout Allan Alcock Daniel & Marianne Arndorfer LeAnn Arnold John Bader Dale Bappe Kristine Barnhart Jasen & Joann Beckman David Beckman Bob Blockhus Sheila Brakhahn Terry & Linda Brecht Scott & Eileen Britten* Susan Bullis Richard & Donna Butikofer Diane & Jim Bys Robert & Sharon Caldwell Lynne Carlson Kim Chalupa Michael & Lois Coates Ray & Mary Collins* Terry Dahms* Scott Devore Mary & Steve Doty* Sue & Erik Driessen* Brian Farrell Jim & Jan Federer

John Fletcher* Nancy Fox Leland Freie* Charley Gerard Jeffrey Gibbs* Ron & Pat Gonder Todd Goodell John & Pat Hancock* Susan Hartley Ed & Marlene Hayek Stan & Sharon Henson John & Nancy Herring* John & Pamela Van Heukelom Rick & Ronda Hill Wayne & Anna Holstine* Dale & Ann Horner* Gerald & Theresa Houlihan Jane Scheer & Robin Hursh* Jonathan & Karla Ice Dale & Laura Jackson Greg & Linda Januska* Linda Jennings* Charles & Mary Johnson Jamie Jones* George & Mary Kanz Dan & Julie Kaspari*

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2020 Trail Supporters, continued Sheila Keil* Dawn Klohs Kelle Kolkmeier Brenton Kuhn Don & Norma Kvindlog Bob & Judy Lehman* Donald Matsunaga* Sally & Dan McAleer Michael McElmeel Otis McGowan Steve McIntyre Barbara Murphy Rick & Carrie Mysak Robert Nassif Gregg Nelson* Kay Nelson Jane & Bruce Nesmith* Cynthia Nielsen Don Norton

Marlin Oeltjen Bev & Ian Philpott* Mike Plotz* Matt & Tamera Preston Don & Barbra Pulkrab Randall & Eleonora Rieck John & Karen Roltgen* Patti Roman Gerald Scherrman Howard & Sheri Schiffer* Mark Schile* Steve Schrader* Lin Schulte Mark & Anne Seidl Jamie Shea* Larry Slauson Jill Snitko Lucetta & Duane Sobaski* Steve Sovern

Tobias Staggs Carlolyn Stucker John & Sherry Swanson Karen Taylor Byron & Sheryl Thompson David Thurston Allen Tupker Barbara & Duane Tupper Justin Voss* Jeaneal Weeks John Welty* Reta Westercamp Earl & Penny White Marty & Diane Wiesenfeld* Craig & Candy Wood Dale Wuelf* Marlin Zuber ■

Thank you for your gifts of any amount. We make every effort to ensure donors are appropriately recognized. If your name has been omitted or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apology and contact us at contributor@linncountytrails.org so we may correct the mistake. ■

“

We love the trails!

Thanks for all your efforts. We have given financial support in the past and will again.

— LCTA Member Survey

HISTORY of the Interurban Trail to Mount Vernon — and a NEW BEGINNING! Linn County Trails

By Tom Peffer, Trails Development Committee Chair

ASSOCIATION

From 1912 to 1916, the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway and Light Company (now Alliant Energy and Travero) set out to acquire a continuous 100-foot-wide strip of land between Cedar Rapids and Lisbon, a distance of some 13 miles.

Over that five-year period, a few civic-minded men and women in Cedar Rapids oversaw the construction of a trolley rail line and a power line running the entire length. The right-of-way was cleared, the rail bed was graded and stabilized, bridges were built, ties and rail were laid, power poles and power lines were erected, and a trolley line was put in operation. “(During this period)…a line was built from Cedar Rapids to Mount Vernon, which went up Third Ave., S.E. to Blake Boulevard to Forest Drive. It then continued along Forest to Sinclair Avenue and out what is now Indian Road to the edge of Bever Park. It then took off crosscountry to Mount Vernon Road following the Company high-line. It crossed Mount Vernon Road near the old Rosedale School, now the site of Knights of Columbus Council 5677

headquarters. From thence it followed the high-line to Mount Vernon…. Daily a car full of merchandise went from Cedar Rapids to Mount Vernon. It arrived in the morning and was unloaded on a siding in the square. It then came back empty to Cedar Rapids about five in the evening to return to Mount Vernon the next day. In late 1927, it was decided to abandon this interurban line….” (It Took All of Us, 100 Years of Iowa Electric Light and Power Company, pages 26-27.)

The trolley line and power line ran through the communities of Cedar Rapids, Broad Acres, Urbandale, Gardendale, Bertram, Cornellton, Mount Vernon and into Lisbon. The original strip map for the trolley line and power line is shown on the next page.

The company’s original objective was to extend the rail line until it reached the Mississippi River.

However, the newly constructed Lincoln Highway followed a similar path. As automobile use increased, the passenger line fell out of favor with the public and it eventually stopped operating.

The trolley line was formally abandoned by Order of the Iowa District Court dated March 30, 1928.

The Decree stated at page 6, “…the operation of 9

“…the street railroad and interurban railroad has been at great loss, and the earnings of said line have been less than the operating expense connected therewith, and that plaintiffs could not continue to operate said line without great and increasing and continuous loss.”

After the operation of the trolley line was abandoned, the rails and ties were removed and the communities of Broad Acres, Urbandale, Gardendale and Cornellton faded into history.

Although the operation of the trolley line was abandoned, the entire 100-foot-wide right-of-way

has continued to be used and maintained by Alliant Energy as a utility corridor for the power lines which had been erected in the right-of-way.

Alliant Energy has since abandoned the portion of the right-of way that went from Mount Vernon to Lisbon.

In 1992, Linn County approached Alliant Energy about purchasing approximately 7 miles of the utility corridor, to develop it, “…into a public, multiple use, conservation/recreation corridor”, from the then existing eastern boundary of Cedar Rapids (Berry Road) to the western boundary of Mount Vernon.

Original Mount Vernon Interurban strip map

Help us make this trail happen!

The Linn County Trails Association has identified the Lincoln–Interurban Trail Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION as a priority trail in Linn County. The trail would complete a critical east– west connection. It was identified in our 2020 Member Survey as a highly desired addition to our growing network of trails.

As you may know, we are in the midst of a $200,000 Capital Campaign to raise money for our Trail Development Fund. The LCTA Board of Directors is interested in prioritizing the development of the Lincoln–Interurban Trail to 10

Mount Vernon and Lisbon. Funds raised in our 2020–21 Capital Campaign would boost efforts to develop this trail, and other great projects in Linn County.

You can learn more about our ongoing fundraiser at the link below. Whether you contribute $1 or $10,000+ — or anything in between — every dollar helps! Thank you for considering a gift to our campaign. ■

linncountytrails.org/campaign

To assist in its effort to purchase that portion of the utility corridor, the Linn County Conservation Board commissioned a detailed Feasibility Study for a “Proposed Interurban Greenway Trail, Cedar Rapids to Mount Vernon”. After further discussions, Alliant Energy declined to sell an interest in the utility corridor for a conservation/recreational trail.

In December 2000, Alliant Energy sold its interest in the portion of the utility corridor from Indian Road SE to 34th St. SE to the City of Cedar Rapids. This segment runs through Bever Park.

In 2017, Alliant Energy reevaluated its position and approached Linn County about purchasing Alliant’s interest in the entire 100-foot-wide utility corridor from 34th St SE in Cedar Rapids to Mount Vernon, reserving an easement to continue to maintain its power lines. The negotiations resulted in a February 13, 2019 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Survey Expenses and Purchase/Sale of Interurban Trail.

After the agreement with Linn County was finalized, Alliant Energy sent a letter to all landowners adjacent

to the utility corridor regarding a survey that needed to be done and the impending sale to Linn County.

The company received mostly positive feedback from adjacent landowners, with some suggesting that a nearby recreational trail increased the value of their property.

whereby the City of Cedar Rapids would purchase Alliant Energy’s interest in the utility corridor, subject to a utility maintenance easement, from 34th St. SE to Rosedale Road. Linn County would purchase Alliant Energy’s interest in the utility corridor, subject to a utility maintenance easement, from Rosedale Road to the western edge of Mount Vernon. On January The “not in my back yard” phenomenon of the past 13, 2021, a Quit Claim Deed from Alliant Energy to is much less prevalent these days, as more and more Linn County was recorded. On March 29, 2021, a people continue to learn about and experience the Quit Claim Deed from Alliant Energy to the City of various benefits of nearby trail connections.

Cedar Rapids was recorded. The recording of those With the completion of the survey and the recording of documents at last allows Linn County and Cedar Plats of Survey from 34th St. SE to Mount Vernon, and Rapids, respectively, to begin the preparation necessary after further negotiations, an agreement was reached to make the Interurban Trail between Cedar Rapids

▶ story continues on page 14 11

T O C E N T E R P O I N T & WAT E R LO O▲

◤ TO PA LO & V I N TO N / OLD CREAMERY TR AIL

ROBINS TOWER TERRACE TRAIL

GRANT WOOD TRAIL EXTENSION

INDIAN

H I AWAT H A

MARION

HWY. 100 TRAIL

CEDAR VALLEY NATURE TRAIL

CeMar TRAIL HWY. 100 TRAIL

COVING TON DOWS MANITI

EDGEWOOD TRAIL

ELLIS TRAIL

CEDAR R APIDS LINCOLN–INTERURBAN TRAIL

CHEROKEE TRAIL

BOWLING STREET TRAIL

PRAIRIE CREEK TRAIL FAIRFA X

◣TO

WALFORD & THE AMANA S

CEDAR VALLEY NATURE TRAIL

MAP LEGEND EXISTING TRAILS NETWORK FUNDED &/OR COMING SOON IDENTIFIED PRIORITY TRAILS

WRIGHT BROTHERS TRAIL

POTENTIAL FUTURE CONNECTIONS

E T O S O L O N & I O W A C I T Y◢

T O S T O N E C I T Y & A N A M O S A◥ SPRINGVILLE

CREEK TRAIL

GRANT WOOD LOOP

Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION

GRANT WOOD TRAIL

TO MARTELLE & C L I N TO N▶

TRAIL

the GOLDEN AGE of TRAILS DEVELOPMENT

DOWS FARM

SAC & FOX TRAIL BERTR AM

When Linn County’s early trails advocates fought to acquire the abandoned Cedar Valley [rail] Road and create one of the nation’s first rail-trails, the hard work was only beginning. That small group was already starting to envision how the Cedar Valley Nature Trail would eventually become the backbone for a future trail network connecting communities across Linn County. Today, with many miles of pavement pounded, the best is yet to come!

Federal Gas Tax dollars to trails development from 2016–2020, trails in Linn County have been developing at a rapid pace.

Some call this our “Golden Age of Trails Development.”

But our hard work continues. In recent years, the 80% funding designated for trails has shrunk to only 30%. With less public funding available, there has never been a more crucial opportunity for private funding to fill the gap. With your help, we can continue With the ongoing advocacy of the to advance our trail system’s Linn County Trails Association, growth at an exceptional rate. ■ and bolstered by the Corridor MOUNT MPO’s action to dedicate 80% of VERNON

LISBON

PA L I S A D E S KEPLER S TAT E PA R K

E LY TO SUTLIFF▼

We Make Trails Happen. | April 2021 Trails Updates

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▶ Mount Vernon Trail // continued from page 11 and Mount Vernon a reality. The process of “Making Trails Happen” can now begin in earnest.

The City of Cedar Rapids contemplates the completion of a recreational trail from Indian Road SE, through Bever Park, to East Post Road within the next 4-5 years. The balance of the City portion of the trail, from East Post Road to Rosedale Road will be completed later, and will compete for trail dollars with additional work on the Edgewood Trail, the Cherokee Trail, the Lindale Trail, the CEMAR Trail and the 4th Street Trail (Cedar Valley Nature Trail).

Linn County, currently expanding the hard surfacing of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail to Urbana, filling gaps and hard surfacing the Grant Wood Trail east of Cedar Rapids, and working on expansion of The Highway 100 Trail, intends to initiate the work on the Interurban Trail as quickly as funds become available.

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Completion of the Interurban Trail will provide the area with a much-needed east/west recreational trail, some 13 miles in length. The trail will connect Coe College with Cornell College. It will intersect with the Sac and Fox Trail. It will intersect with the Dows Maniti Trail, which in turn will connect with the Grant Wood Trail. By extending the Interurban Trail to the north out of Bever Park, the Interurban Trail will connect with the CEMAR Trail, which connects Cedar Rapids and Marion. A map showing the relationship of these various trails is shown on the previous page.

The Interurban Trail will eventually connect Cedar Rapids, Bertram and Mt. Vernon, not with a trolley line, but with a safe, beautiful, graded walking, jogging and biking recreational trail. Once completed, it will fulfill the vision of those men and women who, even prior to WWI, realized the importance of connecting Cedar Rapids with Mt. Vernon. ■

1. CeMar Trail In Cedar Rapids, box culvert was recently placed at the 1st Avenue East underpass near Raining Rose. In Marion, the trail through Thomas Park has been upgraded to concrete, connecting the southern end of the existing Marion segment to the Grant Wood Trail and bridge over Indian Creek. The final connection between Cedar Rapids and Marion is expected by 2023.

2. Grant Wood Trail The deck has been poured atop the bridge over Indian Creek. Work will progress to the bridge over Marion Boulevard this summer.

To Marion’s east, the 6th Avenue extension will soon open a continuous Grant Wood Trail connection between Uptown Marion, Waldo’s Rock Park, and Oxley Road in Linn County. To the west, work on a Blairs Ferry Road underpass, connecting from C Avenue to Council Street NE will either start in fall or next spring.

3. Hwy. 100 Trail Work in Morgan Creek Park will wrap up this year, establishing trail between the park’s northern limits and the Cherokee Trail along E Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids. Linn County Conservation secured air rights above the Canadian Northern Railroad near Xavier High School.

This will allow for construction soon between the Cedar River’s east bank and 42nd Street NE. 4. Lincoln-Interurban Alliant Energy transferred its right-ofway interests — from 34th St SE to Mount Vernon — to Cedar Rapids and Linn County, reserving a maintenance easement. Trail will be installed along Cottage Grove Avenue SE, between 1st Avenue and Forest Drive SE this summer.

Future planned work will extend the trail to its western limits, connecting at the CeMar Trail at K Avenue NE, near Regis Middle School. Other planned work will advance the trail through Bever Park, toward East Post Road.

LCTA DONATION FORM

5. ConnectCR Improvements around Cedar Lake will take shape in the next two years. A new levee trail will be incorporated into the Flood Control System, including trail under Shaver Road and a new bridge over McLoud Run. Additional ConnectCR project updates are anticipated soon.

6. Flood Control Several trail detours will impact the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and Cedar River Trails as the Cedar River Flood Control System is installed.

In the Czech Village, the 16th Avenue Bridge detour will return this year as a new flood gate is installed at the river’s edge.

Along the river’s east bank, an improved Cedar River Trail will flank the downtown by 2023, with an additional trail connection running along the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture. Follow our Facebook page for detours and construction updates. ■

Donate immediately online at linncountytrails.org/campaign or, mail this form with your contribution to:

Name(s)

Linn County Trails Association P.O. Box 2681 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Address

Method of Payment:

City/State/Zip

Please accept my donation of $

Check (Enclosed)

Bill Me

Do you work for one of the following — or many other — employers which offer charitable gift matching? Please include your form!

Email

Aegon Alliant Energy

Your email address will be used only for supporter administration and LCTA information. It will not be sold or shared.

All donations to LCTA are tax deductible.

Cargill General Mills

Intermec PepsiCo (Quaker)

Collins Aerospace Other

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!

Your support renewal due date is on the back of this page ▶

Linn County Trails Association P.O. Box 2681 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2681 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

▲▲

Please check your support renewal due date. ▲ ▲

Thank you for your generosity!

Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION

linncountytrails.org