Mount Trashmore Trails & Overlook Grand Opening
The Linn County Solid Waste Agency has rescheduled the grand opening of the Mount Trashmore trails to Thursday September 13th at Noon. They warn that event parking would could be limited, so it might be best to ride the trail from Sokol Park, or from another trail head to the event at 2250 A Street SW. The entrance is located next to the Cedar River trail, just past Sokol Park. Their website has great information about this event, and has a map of the three trails that will be opened for use. The access to these trails will vary daily depending on weather, trail conditions and landfill maintenance.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.solidwasteagency.org/mount-trashmore
Cross-Country Skiing Trails
With the fresh snow that we've had, it would be good to remind everyone about the trails that are groomed in Linn County for cross-country skiing for when the next powder falls. The trails groomed for skiing include the Sac & Fox, Morgan Creek park, Wickiup park, Matsell Bridge park, Pinicon Ridge, and Squaw Creek. There are also groomed cross-country trails at the Twin Pines, Ellis, and Jones golf courses too.
As a courtesy to the cross-country skiers out there, please avoid walking in or riding bikes in the tracks used by skiers, this can really make a big difference for them.
CVNT Paving Update
Hoover Trail asphalt sealing scheduled for May 28th
The asphalt sealing that was originally scheduled for May 5th has been rescheduled for May 28th, but it depends on fair weather conditions. The sealing will occur on the Hoover Trail from 76th Ave to Ely.
ITC construction along Cedar Valley Nature Trail
May 18th Press Release from Linn County Conservation:
Cedar Valley Nature Trail to Close During Construction
Linn County Conservation announces that portions of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from the north edge of Center Point to Urbana will be closed periodically starting May 20. Utility companies will be preparing for utility line upgrades later this fall and will be working on the trail to prepare the site for the upgrade.
Sections of the trail will close when work is in progress and will re-open when work activity ends for the day. Sections of the trail are likely to be closed through July 1. Additional closings may occur periodically through the end of 2015, as utility work continues through that time.
The closing is primarily due to work that ITC will be doing to upgrade an existing transmission line serving the region. ITC is doing ground work that will improve drainage around the trail. The company is also planting native grasses and flowers in the area.
Conservation Director Dan Biechler commented, “We have been working with ITC to enhance the trailside vegetation in conjunction with their planned transmission line upgrade. Although this work will require temporary closures of the trail, the resulting landscape will be consistent with Linn County’s commitment to enhancing the beauty of the trail and the experience for trail users.”
For up to date information on trail conditions, call the Linn County Conservation Department at (319) 892-6450.
Hoover Trail Closed for a Day This Week
Linn County Conservation announces that the Hoover Trail from 76th Avenue to Ely will be closed on Tuesday, May 5. A private contractor will be applying asphalt sealer requiring the trail to be closed until the product dries. The trail will reopen approximately six hours after the sealer has been applied depending on drying conditions. The sealer is applied to the asphalt trail to extend the life of the asphalt and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Rain date for sealer application will be Wednesday, May 6. The sealer cannot be applied if rain is in the forecast, so the application could be delayed further depending on weather conditions. For up to date information on trail conditions, call the Linn County Conservation Department at (319) 892-6450.
Update:The resealing has been rescheduled for a later date due to wet conditions on the trail.
Ely Fall Fest 5k
The Ely Fall Fest 5k will be using a portion of the Hoover trail from Ely Road to the City Park from 7:00pm tonight to 8:15pm. The trail is not closed to other users, but please be considerate of the event, and follow all safety and etiquette rules when using the trail.
Area trails are closed due to flooding.
The City of Cedar Rapids has closed the Cedar River Trail at two locations due to flooding. The trail is closed under the 8th Ave SE Bridge (above left). The Cedar River Trail is also closed along A St SW between 15th Ave SW and the landfill due to flood protection measures and flooding (above right). The Sac and Fox Trail near the Indian Creek Nature Center is closed due the high river level. Part of the Prairie Park Fishery Trail is also closed. The Ellis Trail is closed near Ellis Park and Manhattan Park as result of water over the trail. In addition, the City of Marion has closed a section of the Boyson Trail near Donnelly Park due to high water on Indian Creek. All closures are marked with signs and barricades with no designated detours.
For your safety, please use caution and remember the following:
• Avoid riding or walking through water that covers an entire section of trail.
• When sections of trail are closed due to flooding, obey all barricades and signage. Refrain from moving and/or going around barricades.
• Slow down when standing water, mud and/or debris are found on the trail after the water recedes.
• Linn County has several other trail opportunities to explore while these trail sections are closed.
These sections of trail could reopen this weekend as the river level falls below flood stage.
Upcoming flooding next week will impact area trails.
The National Weather Service is predicting the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids to reach a flood stage of 14.7 feet on Tuesday, June 24th. Flooding will impact the Cedar River Trail near the 8th Ave. Bridge, at the CRANDIC Railroad Bridge underpass, and south of Sokol Park as early as Sunday, June 22nd. In addition, high water may restrict trail usage of the Sac and Fox Trail, between the Indian Creek Nature Center and Cole St., and the Prairie Park Fishery Trail. In the past, river stages above 11 feet limit the usage of trails located near Cedar River. For your safety, please use caution and remember the following:
- Avoid riding or walking through water that covers an entire section of trail.
- When sections of trail are closed due to flooding, obey all barricades and signage. Refrain from moving and/or going around barricades.
- Slow down when standing water, mud and/or debris are found on the trail.
- Linn County has several other trail opportunities to explore while these trail sections are closed.
Current river levels can be found at the National Weather Service's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service website: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dvn&gage=cidi4. LCTA will provide updates of trail closures and openings during the next week.
Marion Master Trails Plan follow-up and new online mapping tool
Following the Marion Master Trails Plan input meeting, a website and survey have been created to collect additional feedback.
The City of Marion also has a new online mapping tool for trail comments and input. This tool can be used to suggest new trails, safety improvements, or even general comments about the trails. The mapping tool can be found at this URL: http://marion-soulside.dotcloud.com/
If you'd like to fill out the survey, the PDF is attached in following link. Please complete it, and either return it to City Hall, or e-mail it to Kesha Billings at [email protected]
Survey