August 2011 – Linn County Trails

City Seeking Input from Residents about 1st Avenue East by Aug. 31

Don’t forget to complete the 1st Avenue East survey!!

You can use this survey opportunity to advocate for safe, pedestrian/bicycle connections from completion of this project.

City Seeking Input from Residents about 1st Avenue East by Aug. 31

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – August 26, 2011 – To date, the City of Cedar Rapids has received input from 450 residents about improvements to 1st Avenue East from 27th Street to 40th Street. The online survey will only remain open for input through Wednesday, August 31. The survey is available on the City’s website at www.Cedar-Rapids.org. The City encourages all residents that live, work or travel along this corridor to provide input regarding the future development of this road to help us identify corridor problem areas, neighborhood concerns and improvement options. This stretch of 1st Avenue East is a commercial center and main corridor between downtown and residential areas of Cedar Rapids. This important transportation corridor is nearing traffic capacity during some periods of the day, which has had an impact on traffic safety and access to local businesses. The 1st Avenue East corridor between 27th Street and 40th Street will be rebuilt as a “Complete Street Improvement,” which means a street design that provides for safe, comfortable and convenient travel for all users, including motorists, bicycles, pedestrians, and transit riders. The new design may include additional turning lanes, driveway consolidations, medians, sidewalk improvements, CEMAR trail crossing, utility upgrades, accessible transit, trees, and other landscaping enhancements. To complete the survey, residents are encouraged to go to www.Cedar-Rapids.org and click on the “First Avenue East Survey” link on the home page. For more information, please contact the project team at [email protected].

by JohnW

Spring 2011 Trail Connections Available!

Signs of Spring are featured in the Spring 2011 Trail Connections Newsletter.

To receive the most current newsletter, become a trail supporter with a $20 donation to LCTA.

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by bradmullin

LCTA Board Meeting Minutes

Area trail planning and summer events highlight recent LCTA board meetings

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by bradmullin

Linn County Trails Association Presents $96,250 to Linn County Conservation Board

For more information, contact:
John Wauer
Board Member
Linn County Trails Association
[email protected]

August 22, 2011

Linn County Trails Association Presents $96,250 to Linn County Conservation Board

Linn County, Iowa – Today, Linn County Trails Association presented the Linn County Conservation Board a donation of $96,250 to complete the funding necessary to pave the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from County Home Road to Lafayette.

In 2009, Linn County was awarded funding from Iowa Department of Transportation Enhancement fund to pave the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from County Home Road to Lafayette. The project involves the reconstruction and surfacing of approximately 3.5 miles. Work will include re-establishment of drainage, clearing and grubbing, grading, placement of rock base material, surfacing, seeding with native grasses and wildflowers, and planting of trees and shrubs. In 2010, Linn County Conservation Board received notification of another financial award to continue to the project to Schultz Road, another 2.5 miles of paving. The total cost of the project is approximately $2 million.

The Conservation Board approached Linn County Trails Association (LCTA) about a public/private partnership to fundraise the remaining $96,000 to complete the project. LCTA accepted the proposal because of the wide-spread benefits for trails users. For example, with a paved surface: the trail can be used as an additional four months of the year; there is increased accessibility for all wheeled activities, including wheelchairs, strollers, and rollerblades; and less maintenance costs for Linn County. Data from LCTA shows that trail usage increases when trails are paved.

LCTA President John Wauer, who presented the check, explained that building trails takes many partners and is not an easy task. “It is the role of Linn County Trails Association to be a catalyst for the development and growth of a system of connected, multi-use trails through Linn County and Eastern Iowa. However, the development of trails takes partnerships. The partnership between Linn County, LCTA and all the financial contributors is why the announcement today is so exciting.” Donations for project have come from 227 foundations, companies and individuals. This is a demonstration of the wide and strong support for trails in Linn County.

Bidding for the project is expected to begin in November, with construction starting in 2012. The estimated completion for the project is fall of 2012, depending on weather.

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by JohnW

Volunteers Needed! Mayors' Bike Ride!

LCTA is asking for volunteers to assist with the execution of the Linn County Mayors' Bike Ride. The event starts at 9AM and volunteers are needed between 8-1pm. Volunteers to act as route monitors, ride shepards and assist with registration and tear down are appreciated! If available and interested, please email Kari Lammer, [email protected].

Thank you for your support of Mayors' Bike Ride!

by JohnW

The Bike Lane

LINN COUNTY MAYORS BIKE RIDE ON LABOR DAY

The annual Linn County Mayors’ Bike Ride will be on Monday morning September 5, 2011. Linn County Trails Association and the Bicycle Advisory Committee are hosting the ride which will start and end at Ellis Park. It’s free and open to the public. Helmets are required.

Registration starts at 9:00 am in the parking lot near Ellis Blvd and Ellis Lane NW. Ride starts at 10:00 am. 2.5 or 8 mile route. Last year approximately 400 cyclists participated.

Live music from KantiRocks will follow in Ellis Park 10:45 am – 12:45 pm. www.kantirocks.com

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds will be donated to Linn County Trails Association. www.linncountytrails.org

KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL CLASSES IN CEDAR RAPIDS

Let's Run - Train For Your First 5K

Community Training & Response Center

Even if you have never run a step, you can build up to a 5K in eight weeks. This class will help with answering all your running questions and will encourage and motivate you. Topics from proper shoes and clothing to what to expect on race day. Show up ready to workout and have fun. Walkers are also welcome.

http://kirkwood.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=18976&int_category_id=7&int_sub_category_id=40

Indoor Cycling

Gold Pointe Fitness Club

High energy and intensity cycling class that will burn tons of calories and start your day off right. This class is for all levels and will allow you to go at your own pace.

http://kirkwood.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=18883&int_category_id=7&int_sub_category_id=40

Splash! Water Aerobics

New Life Fitness World West

Enjoy a great cardiovascular workout designed to burn calories, trim and tone your body, and still be easy on your joints. It's a great workout for all levels of fitness with emphasis for those who need or enjoy the benefits of the environment of a pool. This workout can be modified for all fitness levels.

http://kirkwood.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=18836#

NEW LINN COUNTY TRAIL MAPS AT BIKE DAY AT THE FARMERS MARKET AUG 6

Bike Day at the Farmers Market is on August 6, 7:30 am – Noon at Greene Square Park. Linn Area Mountain Bike Association, Linn County Trails Association, Bicycle Advisory Committee and Bike Ambassadors will provide bike parking from 7:30 am – Noon.

Cyclists using the bicycle parking or stopping by with their bike will receive choice of beverage coupon from Parlor City, Jerseys, Prime Time, and Sammy’s, or a coupon for a free ice cream cone from Parlor City Ice Cream, while quantities last.

Stop by and visit with Linn County Trails Association about the Linn County Mayors Bike Ride. Recently updated Linn County trail maps will be available and they will have LCTA tshirts for sale. www.linncountytrails.org

The Bicycle Advisory Committee will have copies of the “Iowa Goes By Bicycle Guide” provided by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. It includes information on the benefits of cycling, types of bikes, clearing for takeoff, rules of the road, selecting the best route, commuting, equipment, gear, apparel, bike etiquette, basic maintenance and repair.

Linn Area Mountain Bike Association recently constructed new singletrack trails at Squaw Creek Park in Marion. Beverly Park in Cedar Rapids has 5 miles of singletrack with many intersecting trails and loops for all skill levels, and optional natural and man-made obstacles alongside main trails. LAMBAonline.org.

CLUBS AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

Bicyclists of Iowa City (BIC) www.bicyclistofiowacity.org

Bikeiowa www.bikeiowa.com

Cedar Rapids BMX www.CedarRapidsBMX.com

Cedar Valley Running Association (CVRA) www.CVRA.net

Cedar Valley Association for Soft Trails www.cvast.org

East Iowa Ski Club (EISC) www.EastIowaSkiClub.com

Hawkeye Bicycle Association (HBA) www.HawkeyeBike.org

Iowa Bicycle Coalition www.iowabicyclecoalition.org

Iowa Bicycle Racing Association www.Bikeiowa.org

Iowa City Cycling Club (ICCC) www.iowacitycyclingclub.com

Iowa Coalition of Off-Road Riders (ICORR) www.ICORRmtb.org