2021REPORT ANNUAL
Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
Pre-Derecho springtime photo along the Sac & Fox Trail - photo by Nichole Clefisch Plagge -
Trail Connections
A newsletter published by the Linn County Trails Association
June 2022 1
WE MAKE
TRAILS HAPPEN
LCTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2022
Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
Phillip Platz | President
Greg Barnett
Nick Jorgensen
Steve Hershner | Vice President
Nadine Brock
Kyle Lundberg
Dave Dechant | Treasurer
Pete Diltz
Rob McKillip
Brad Mullin | Secretary
Curt Eilers
Craig Miller
Kevin Kirchner | Past President
Vicky Evans
Dick Mundy
Paul Fiegen
Tom Peffer
Jim Fraise
Larry Scott
Diane Handler
John Wauer
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Mitch Anderson
Dennis Goemaat
Kesha Billings
Ron Griffith
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Randy Burke
Roman Kiefer
Keith Fletcher
Esther Wilson
Ed Holstrom
Carole Teater
Ron McGraw
Mike Wilson
Board meetings are on the second Monday of every month (except July and December) at the City of Cedar Rapids Water Administration Building (1111 Shaver Road NE). All board meetings are open to the public and are also streamed live via Facebook. 2
HAPPY TRAILS! What do trails mean to you?
trail development. With no paid staff, we benefit from some very enthusiastic mission-driven board members, who place trail counters, write grant requests, handle social media, keep track of trail funds, and meet monthly with city and county staff. We monitor trail conditions and spread the word, we survey trail users, and educate about trails at the Farmers Market - and - we help produce a very handy trail map. Whew! A lot!!!
An escape into nature, a route to get to work, a great place To keep this process going, your support is really to exercise or walk your dog, a safe place to bike with your needed! So be sure to review the trail projects 6-year-old? A fun place to meet up with friends for a bike in this report and ask how you can help make ride downtown? Linn County the best trail county in the state! See page 4 about creative ways to donate and The Linn County Trails Association understands that trails volunteer. serve many purposes for many people. We love hearing from trail friends about why they like trails. So be sure to See you on the trails! check out the article on page 6, where Emily and Murphy Phillip Platz, President and the LCTA Board McGrath, who raised $5000 for trails by making it part of their wedding registry, chat about why trails are important to them! 2021 Expenses & Income During 2021, we expanded our ask to business affiliates to donate funds for trails. Many companies came through (page 6). Clearly, they understood the need for a HEALTHY growing community, through opportunities for better health and connections that make our city more livable. Another unique fundraiser in 2021 was by a trail friend who, rather than receive birthday gifts, asked folks to donate through Facebook to LCTA! Wow great idea! And LCTA uses your funds well. You can see by the pie chart that the lion’s share of the funds go directly to
$9,748 $14,630
$81,132 Operations Expenditures Operations Income Trail Development Contributions
2021 Year-End Balances Operations....................................$23,113 Various Trails Development........$56,933
Capital Campaign Update through May 31, 2022 (goal is $300,000) So far, we have raised $122,000 + $50,000 from Hall Perrine Foundation Grant = $172,000. We are at 57% of our goal! We need to raise $128,000 by December 31, 2022. YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! 3
GIVING ALTERNATIVES
F
or those looking for alternative ways to make a gift to the Linn County Trails Association, look no further! A few giving alternatives are identified below. As always, thank you for your continued support! ■
Scan our PayPal or Venmo QR Codes at left, to give quickly; instantaneously! Give while you shop using Amazon Smile! Simply visit smile.amazon.com while shopping Amazon and select Linn County Trails Association as your benefactor. A percentage of your purchase will automatically be credited to support trails development in Linn County. Like us on Facebook to keep up with news from the trail. Share our updates with friends to help us build a Trail Supporter community. Use the Donate Button on our page to give directly through Facebook with no processing fees, or create a birthday or anniversary fundraiser to encourage giving among your personal network.
NON-MONETARY GIVING
volunteer opportunities
join our board or sit in on a meeting
collect litter along the trails
attend a trail event
follow our updates
share our news with friends
“I worked this morning at the Downtown Farmers Market and from my view, the info booth/bike corral was a great success. There was a time when the bike racks were full! Handed out lots of maps, answered many questions, got lots of $$ in the tip jar, received many thanks both for parking bikes and for our work with the trails... This was my first time to work the Farmers Market and I had a blast!” - Greg B.
Contact contributor@linncountytrails.org to get plugged into more opportunities! 4
THANK YOU! $1,000+ Trail Builder Anonymous Jeff Bales Dean & Janice Barnum Robert & Linda Erlandson David & Carolyn Evans Richard & Deborah George Stephen & Joanne Hammes Robert Becker & Diane Handler Tork & Lynn Harman Brian & Sandy Holterhaus John & Diane Linge Ron McGraw Carel & Monica Minjeur Carroll Reasoner & Tom Peffer Brad Stapley Roman & Jody Decker-Terrill John & Mary Wauer Mike & Esther Wilson Jim & Barbara Wing Richard & Ann Woodward $500–$999 Trail Blazer Anonymous Stephanie Anderson Greg & Teresa Barnett Gordon & Jann Baustian Becky Boscaljon John & Judy Bryant Alan Buck Leo Buzalsky Curtis Eilers David & Marla Erickson Dennis Gladhill Marilyn Gott Art & Joyce Kelsey Theodore & Kathy Kron Robert Laughlin Emily & Murphy McGrath Gary & Laura McGraw
Linn County Trails Association appreciates all of its members and those whose financial support in 2021 helped to Make Trails Happen!
Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
Mark Niday Phillip Platz Larry & Susan Reeve Gary Roling Jack & Lori Tibbs Bob & Bertha Tribuno $100–$499 Trail Partner Rick & Linden Aerts Paul & Norma Ahlers Troy & Geri Albrecht Katie Allen Daniel & Marianne Arndorfer Margo Ballou Michael Barkalow Gerry & Kathy Barr James Bazan Kesha Billings Shannon Bisgard Richard & Diane Bradford Bryan Bredman Nadine Brock Kelly & David Bryant Jeffrey & Diane Buffo Tony Burton Michael Butterfield Janice Byers Brian Cain Carol & Bill Calloway J. David & Alexandria Carey LaNae Ceryanec Katrina Ceryanec Steve & Mary Chamberlin Jeanne Chelikowsky Mark Chipokas Bob & Paulette Clark Ken & Becky Collier Paul & Nancy Craig Bill Cummings Ronald & Becki Daly
Jerry & Nancy Danforth Michael Davis David & Kathy Dechant Margaret deSalme Cindy Dietz Brian & Teri Donnelly Richard & Mary Doyle Dillon Drury John Dulle Carol & Stan Eilers Mike & Peggy Emery Alan Erickson Vicky Evans Paul Fiegen James Fraise Robert & Susan Frederick Mary Freeman Jennifer Germaine Dennis Goemaat Cory Goldensoph Kathy Good & Scott Bentrup Charles Grado & Ruth Macke Ron Griffith Arthur Hackett John & Pat Hancock Sally Harms Phil Hartgrave Kimn Hassenfritz Ann Collins-Hattery Roger Heidt Sue Henderson Bill Henricksen Doug & Janet Henry Steve & Marta Hershner Chery Hines& Matt Petrzelka Cheryl Hoch Ann Weber-Holdgrafer Ed & Becky Holstrom Gregory & Linda Januska Duane Jasper
David Jeffries David Jensen Katie Johnson Jeff & Kathy Kaiden George & Mary Kanz Greg Kanz Sheila Keil Stephen Kemble Tim Kennedy Larry & Carole Kerr Kevin Kirchner Jim & Barbara Klein Roger Kolb Whealen Koontz Larry & Mary Kramer Jeff Lake Shelby Lambert Dana Larson Ann Leland Jeremy Liabo Steven & Lisa Loesch Donna Lubben Chris Lyon Robert F & Bertha M Reth Donald Matsunaga Steve & Denise Maze Gary & Kelly McAfee Rex McCright Daniel & Karla McGrail Brian & Ruby McGrath Laura Meade Craig Miller James & Rose Marie Monagan Bob & Susie Moran Edwin & Barbara Mumford Richard Mundy H. J. Nicholson Michele Oswood Gary & Kelley Palmer Sarah Pauley 5
Special Gifts 1. Why did you two consider LCTA for a wedding fundraiser? We wanted to give back to an organization that has given us so much and been impactful in our lives and relationship. We really believe that trails, and access to trails, are such an important part of a healthy community and lifestyle! Some of our first dates and best times have been on Linn County Trails! 2. What is your favorite Trail? The Cedar Valley Nature Trail of course! We have enjoyed riding down to Ely and grabbing a soda at House Divided or Odie’s. 3. What is your favorite activity on the trail? Emily loves running on the trails and exploring new starting points and routes. Murphy prefers to bike to Solon and back, grabbing a few refreshments along the way. One of our first dates was biking 50 miles north and south on the trail! A special THANK YOU to Emily and Murphy McGrath for including the Linn County Trails Association in their Wedding Registry! Thanks also to the numerous family and friends that contributed to LCTA’s Capital Campaign in their honor. Over $5000 was contributed. We decided to ask Emily and Murphy exactly, “WHY LCTA?” And frankly, we love their answers!
4. Why do we need more trails in the area? We use these trails year-round, whether we’re simply running or walking, taking the road bikes or fat tire bikes, or snow-shoeing. For us, they provide a clear mind, a great workout, a meet-up with friends, and a chance to be with nature. Trails can provide so much for so many people, and more trails and access points to the trails will only improve our community. Also, trails help attract new people to Linn County. We love seeing our community become even more active!
In 2021, several additional special gifts were made: In Memoriam Amy Buzalsky Allan L. Harms
Dave Dramstad David Spiekermeier
2021 Business Contributions
In Honor of John & Judy Bryant
Trail Partner ($100-$499) Amazon Smile Foundation Trail Builder ($500-$999) Trail Builder ($1000 +) Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust Anderson-Bogert Benchmark, Inc. House Divided Brewery Cedar Rapids Tourism Office HDR Engineering Kickstand LLC Goldfinch Cyclery Northtowne Cycling & PayPal Giving Fund Fitness, Ltd. Hall Bicycle Company Sag Wagon LLC Shoemaker-Haaland Engineering United Way East Central Iowa The Pedaler’s Fork United Fire Group Foundation Unity Point Health - Cedar Rapids We Run LLC 6
2021 Trail Supporters, continued Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
John Persick Drew Pierson Greg Reynolds Jeremy Richardson Rick & Connie Richardson Joan Riley Steve Rinderknecht Kurt Rogahn Patrick Rogers John & Karen Roltgen Bob Rush & Judi Whetstine Tim & Laura Sagers Henry Schmoll Steve Schrader Steve Schuring Brian Scott Janice Sevey Katherine Sheka Joe Sheller Lyndon Sison Richard & Joan Smith Al & Jacqui Sorensen Steve Sovern James & Nancy Spencer Mary Stanford Amy Reasner & Bill Stone Terry & Marlyse Strait Kevin & Shannon Strobel Keith & Nancy Sutherland Daniel & Trish Talley Tom Tapp & Mollie Schlue Wendy Tanner Curtis & Annette Taylor Teresa Thayer Kendall Thurm Bruce Tiemann Michael R Tow Robert & Ann Tow Barbara & Eric Tupper Andreya Veintimilla
Leonard Verdeck Justin Voss Terry Wegener John Welty William Werner Bryan & Gayla Wesner Keith Whipple Chad Whipple Philip Wiley Brad & Denise Willhite Gail & Paul Williams Mike & Jo Woods Dale Wuelf Mike Yakos Chad & Christine Zach Daniel & Rebecca Zange $20–$99 Trail Scout Kelli Albert Allan Alcock Bryan Anderson John Bader Sarah Barber Bob Blockhus Terry & Linda Brecht Scott & Eileen Britten Martin & Audrey Bruns Richard & Donna Butikofer Randy & Joan Butler Diane & Jim Bys Michael & Lois Coates Ray & Mary Collins MaryAnn Dawson Sheryl Dietzenbach Peter Diltz JoAnn Draper Jim & Jan Federer Thomas Fehlberg Beth Feldmann Dudley Fleck
John Fletcher Heather Franks Charley Gerard Ron & Pat Gonder Marjorie Wilkinson-Gruber Cheryl Haight Kathleen Hallman Susan Hartley Ed & Marlene Hayek Diane Helmrichs Dorothy Hershner Wayne & Anna Holstine Virgene F Hopkey Dale & Ann Horner Gerald & Theresa Houlihan Millicent Hughes Jane Scheer & Robin Hursh Jonathan & Karla Ice Dale & Laura Jackson Bruce Jacobs Nick Jorgensen Dan & Julie Kaspari Christine Kirpes Gretchen Kline Dawn Klohs Kelle Kolkmeier Brenton Kuhn Don & Norma Kvindlog Jeff & Mary Lynn Lakins Corenne & Mark Liabo Bob & Judy Lehman Lisa Louck Melissa Mashek Sally & Dan McAleer Michael McElmeel Otis McGowan Walter Van Meter Ron & Sandra Miller Gary & Pam Moen Tanner Mumm 7
2021 Trail Supporters, continued Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
Barbara Murphy Rick & Carrie Mysak Robert Nassif Bob & Sharon Neilly Jane & Bruce Nesmith Lesli Nesmith Don Norton Mariah Obiedzinski Tiffany O’Donnell Marlyn Oeltjen Kyle Olund Lori Phillips Beverly & Ian Philpott Matt & Tamera Preston Don & Barbra Pulkrab Mark Ramsey Allyssa Rentschler
Randall & Eleonora Rieck Patti Roman Gerald Scherrman Howard & Sheri Schiffer Zach Schladetzky Lin Schulte Meredith Scott Kirschen Seah Pam Serovy Theresa Sheka Cate Sheller Michael Simoens Larry Slauson Carolyn Stucker Luann Swanson Karen Taylor Carole Teator
Byron & Sheryl Thompson Allen Tupker Eric Vankerckhove Ellis & Lisa Vann Eugene Vann Jennifer Waskow Earl & Penny White Martin Wiesenfeld Landis Wiley Ona Wilkins Molly Bair Williams Darby Winger Laura Wingler Craig & Candy Wood Marlin Zuber ■
Thank you for your gifts of any amount. Apologies in advance and please let us know (Treasurer@linncountytrails.org) of any name clarifications/spelling errors/edits in these lists. LCTA changed donor software and some “bugs” may have found their way into the conversion.
“
We love the trails! Thanks for all your efforts. We have given financial support in the past and will again.
”
— LCTA Member Survey
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Linn County Trails A S S O C I AT I O N
Help us make these trails happen!
In the fall of 2020 we introduced a Capital Campaign to bolster our Trails Development Fund. At that time, we set our goal at collecting $200,000 to put toward future trail projects. This year, the LCTA Board of Directors voted to expand and extend our Capital Campaign fundraiser to $300,000, and earmark money received for three projects. Through May 2022, we have reached just over 57% of that $300,000 goal! This includes a gift of $50,000 from the Hall Perrine Foundation! Thanks, Hall Perrine! Coupled with member donations to our ongoing Capital Campaign, the grant will be used to Make Trails Happen in Linn County. We have reached out to our partner jurisdictions to
learn how grants made possible through donations from our members could help accelerate trails projects in Linn County in the immediate future. The three projects which follow are the result of those conversations. Thank you for considering a gift to our campaign for these trail projects! If there is a different project you may prefer, we can earmark your donation. For example, there are currently gifts earmarked for single track Mountain Bike Trails and the Cedar Rapids to Mount Vernon Interurban Trail. All donations are greatly appreciated.
linncountytrails.org/campaign
Grant Wood Trail
From securing the right-of-way for the Grant Wood Trail when the railroad was abandoned, to making more than $300,000 in continued investments in the corridor, LCTA has a long history of supporting the Grant Wood Trail. By investing $100,000 in the next phase of trail development, LCTA’s support will help to fill the trail’s first “missing link.”
Money raised will support Linn County’s efforts: 1) to extend the existing trail’s hard surfacing from Waldo’s Rock Park to Oxley Road, 2) for an off-road extension from Oxley Road to Creekside Road, and 3) to extend the trail from Creekside Road to Paralta Road.
4th Street Trail
The 4th Street Trail Project will extend the Cedar Valley Nature Trail between ConnectCR’s two projects, the restoration and development of Cedar Lake and the Alliant Energy Lightline Bridge over the Cedar River. It is a key missing link in the downtown trails system and provides improved navigation for the American Discovery Trail
and Great American Rail-Trail through downtown Cedar Rapids. By investing $100,000 in this Project, LCTA’s support could accelerate the segment of the trail from 1st Ave SE to 9th Ave SE by as much as several years.
Continued on page 10 9
We Make Trails Happen. | June 2022 Trails Updates (Trail photo descriptions on page 11)
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Lucore Road Bridge In Marion’s growing northeast side, Lucore Trail users must leave the trail and cross Indian Creek on the Lucore Road bridge. As the area grows and both the roadway and trail continue to see increased usage, neighborhood residents and the City’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee have recognized the dangerous conditions 10
and identified the Lucore Road bridge as a key safety concern. LCTA’s $100,000 investment in this Project will accelerate the design and provide the local grant funding match for a sidepath along Lucore Road and a pedestrian bridge over Indian Creek.
1. Cherokee Trail - City of Cedar Rapids A two-year project to connect the Cherokee Trail 2 miles from Cherry Hill Park to almost Edgewood Rd NW. This includes street work, sidewalks and ramps, utility work and a pedestrian bridge across the Vinton Ditch. 2. Cedar River Trail- City of Cedar Rapids Cedar River Trail restoration south of landfill – Repairs Aug/Sept 2022 3. Indian Creek Trail – Marion Donnelly Park to Tower Terrace (2.1 miles) This summer clearing complete, and grading has started 4. 10th Avenue Side paths - Marion HyVee to Walmart - 10’ wide on both sides- complete summer of 2022 5. CEMAR Trail - Marion Ready to go! Marion Blvd to Grand Ave, Bridge over Indian Creek! Summer 2022 watch for grand opening of the new bridge over Marion Blvd. Negotiations continue with property owners for the portion of the trail through Faulkes Heritage Woods, although the alignment for the sanitary trunk sewer line is under design, with an expected letting this winter.
LCTA DONATION FORM
6. Grant Wood Trail – Linn County Conservation Big advances in 2022! Paving Waldo’s Rock Park to Oxley Road. Contract let Oxley Road to Creekside Road. Preliminary design work Creekside Road to Springville Road at Paralta.
7. Morgan Creek Trail - Linn County Conservation From Morgan Creek Park, along HWY 100 to 42nd St NE. In 2022/23 Plan and contract bid Worcester Rd to Covington Rd, study route Covington Rd to Cedar River, study/plan old RR piers for future Biechler Bridge to cross the Cedar River. 2023 Construction Xavier High School to east bank Cedar River.
8. Cedar Valley Nature Trail- Linn County Conservation Summer 2022 Paving overlay south of Hoover Neighbor-
hood along Ely Road SW to help with drainage and surface condition. Paving complete Center Point to Urbana, minor repairs in summer 2022. Urbana to Buchanan County prep work for future trail and drainage improvements. (Picture shows tunnel under I-380)
9. Wanatee Mountain Bike Trail – Linn County Conservation Derecho restoration design work is underway. Full restoration and improvement of this trail network is expected in 2023.
Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
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!
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!
The last date that you donated is on the back of this report. We appreciate your annual support!
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Linn County Trails Association P.O. Box 2681 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2681 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
▲ ▲ Please review the last time you donated. We appreciate your annual support! ▲ ▲
Thank you for your generosity!
Linn County Trails ASSOCIATION
linncountytrails.org 12