Trail Counters are Back
All 12 trail counters have been reinstalled on the Metro Trail System after a long cold winter. Linn County Trails Association maintains the counters and collects data to measure trail usage. This data is used to encourage our cities and the County to maintain and build more trails!
The trail counters are the blue or brown posts on either side of the trail and have a 6 digit counter displayed at the top of one of the posts. Please read the counter and submit the number to LCTA using your smart phone. Just scan the QR code on the post and enter the count. The location, date and time are automatically entered. Wave your hand over the beam to assure the counter increments. Please report "counter is not working" if it the counter does not change.
Another option is to go to the LCTA web page below. You will need to update the date and time if your count was taken at an earlier date/time.
linncountytrails.org/trailcountr
Another option is to just save the URL "linncountytrail.org/trailcount" on your smart phone.
It's time to get out and walk, run, skate, or bike! Whenever you pass a trail counter, please stop and report the count. In doing so you will be helping get more and better trails!
Click here for a map of the trail counter locations
Winter Trail Counters
LCTA maintains 12 trail counters on the Metro Trail system. We remove the counter electronics in the winter from most of the locations but we maintain the counters at five locations which are:
- Boyson Trail, Marion
- Sac & Fox Trail, East Post Road
- Lindale Trail, near C Ave NE
- Cedar River Trail near McCloud Run
- Cedar Lake Loop Trail
Please make an effort to read and report these counts whenever you can. When you send a report, please enter your initials in the Comments field. Be sure to report problems with the counters including readability of the display. We are attempting to improve the visibility of the display.
Perhaps the easiest way to report the counts is to put the link linncountytrails.org/trailcount on your cell phone home page. You can also load a QR app on your phone to read the QR code on the counter post. This will automatically load the counter location. If instead you click the trailcount link you will have to select the location from a drop down list. The location number and name are displayed on the counter post. In either case, do not bother with entering date and time because your phone will automatically insert the current date and time. Date and time entries are needed if you write the counts down on paper and report them later from home.
Thank you for help with this important task. Trail usage records are used to justify the need for more trails and maintenance of current trails. Trail useage records for the last 14 years are available at https://linncountytrails.org/maps/trail-usage/
Trails are Open
The weather is warming and it is time to get out on the trails for another season!
Linn County Trails Association works to promote trails, trail maintenance and construction of new trails. An important means of doing this is by measuring trail usage to demonstrate demand for more and better trails. We need you to read and report the trail counts. Trail counters are at 12 locations within the Metro trail system as listed below. The counters may be recognized by two brown or blue posts located across from each other. The tallest post has a window on the top with a 6 digit display of the accumulated count. Simply record and report the number.
The easiest way to report a trail count is with a smart phone while at the trail counter location. Type into your browser linncountytrails.org/trailcount and fill in the form. The counter location is shown on the post and date and time are automatically recorded when reporting at the counter. If you store the trailcount URL link on your home page, you can save the effort of retyping it every time. Alternatively, you can also install a free QR code reader on your phone and read the QR code on the post to automatically bring up the form and chose the counter location. These instructions are also on the counter post.
While you are reporting, please run a test to verify that the counter is working, by slowly waving your hand across the beam between the two post and verify that the count increments. There is a check box on the reporting form for "counter is not working". We do struggle to keep fresh batteries in the counters.
Last year saw completion of Cedar Valley Nature Trail paving through Center Point which was supported by a $103,000 donation from LCTA. This year we are working to a) support funding for an extension of the Lindale Trail to connect the Cedar River Trail and b) support engineering planning for the Hwy 100 Trail near Xavier High School going towards the Cedar River and eventually across the river at the old railroad bridge pilings downstream from the Hwy 100 bridge. Through demonstrated trail usage and financial contributions from LCTA supporters, we can speed up the development of these trails.
Thank you
Linn County Trails Association
Sokol Park trail counter is back
LCTA has re-installed the trail counter that was buried in the Skokol Park berm last summer. It is now further down the trail just past the Mt Trashmore entrance but is still called Sokol Park trail counter. When you go by, please stop and report the counts at linncountytrails.org/
There is now a temporary mostly black limestone trail from 16th Ave SW (Sokol Park) to the Mt Trashmore entrance where the Cedar River Trail continues.
All trail counters in the Cedar Rapids Metro Area are now operating except the the counter in Center Point. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is closed at Iowa St in Center Point due to paving the trail through Center Point. Please stay off the closed trail. The trail should reopen sometime in June. Stay tuned.
The Trails are open
Linn County Trail Supporters
New Online Trail Count Reporting
LCTA has tracked trail usage since 2004. It is an important means to justify trail construction and maintenance by demonstrating the importance of trails. We rely on trail users to report the counts. In the past that was entirely by email reports. We have now moved to a more efficient online reporting system. The counts can be reported from the trail with your smart phone or at home from your computer. The online reporting link is linncountytrails.org/trailcount. We also have posted a QR code on each counter that will identify the location of the counter and record the current date and time so you will only need to enter the 6 digit count to make a report. Free QR reader apps are available from Google Play or Apple App Store.
We have infra-red counters at 12 locations within the Metro Area. See a map of counter locations at linncountytrails.org/lcta-trail-counter-locations/. (The Center Point counter has been removed in preparation for paving.) Each counter post has a yellow sign explaining how to report the counts and the QR code for that location.
PLEASE HELP US PROMOTE MORE AND BETTER TRAILS IN THE METRO AREA.
REPORT THE TRAIL COUNTS!
Fire and Ice Parade, Sat, Dec 6
BikeCR has a bicycle entry in the Fire and Ice Parade this Saturday. LCTA is a member of BikeCR and you are invited to participate. Put lights on your bike, wear warm clothes and join in. We are entry 39. Meet at 5:15-5:30, 4th Ave SE between 6th and 7th St.
Please help us record trail usage numbers
LCTA has installed counters at 12 locations along many trails in Linn County. Each counter consists of two posts located on opposite sides of the trail painted either blue, brown or white. We record the data from the trail counters, reduce the counts to daily and average weekly usage and publish the data on the LCTA web. See linncountytrails.org/maps/trail-usage/.
We rely on trail users like you to read the counters and send us the counts. Simply record date, time, location, and count (6 digit number at the top of one of the posts) and send it to [email protected]. We are now putting names of each trail counter location on the counter posts along with the post location number. You can either specify the location with either the name or number. We have prepared a business card with the reporting information and the locations of each of the 12 counters. You can pick up a business card at the LCTA booth at the Cedar Rapids or Marion Farmers Markets.
If you have a smart phone, you can send the count while on the trail by entering the data on the LCTA webpage: linncountytrails.org/maps/trail-usage/count/.
The counters are located at the following locations:
1 * CVNT * Center Point
2 * CVNT * Lafayette
3 * CVNT * County Home Rd
4 * CVNT * Boyson Rd
5 * CRT * McCloud Run
6 * CRT * Sokol Park
7 * Cedar Lake Trail
8 * Boyson Trail * Marion
9 * S&F * East Post Rd
10 * S&F * Cole St
11 * Hoover Trail * Wright Bros Blvd
12 * Lindale Trail * C Ave NE
Note: Two trail users have recently made the Grand Tour of all 12 counters in one day and sent us the counts (presumably on a bicycle). Are you up to the challenge? It may be easier for you to collect all counts into one email.
New IDOT Statewide Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan
Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is holding meetings to request public input on the development of a new statewide plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Iowa is behind many neighboring states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri that have state sponsored trails that extend beyond the urban counties. The only reason that the Cedar Valley Nature Trail exists today is that Linn and Blackhawk Counties stepped up and assumed responsibility for the trail in the rural counties of Benton and Buchanan Counties. It is important that LCTA trail supporters have a strong presence at this meeting. Please plan on attending!
Next Monday – November 4th 5-7:00 PM, IDOT Office 5455 Kirkwood Blvd SW – Conference Room A
Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan
Project description
Walking and biking are proven ways to improve the quality of life for all of us, providing healthy alternatives for people to get where they need to go. Many Iowans have embraced bicycling and walking for both recreation and daily transportation. Iowa’s extensive trails system continues to evolve and recreational events such as Iowa's RAGBRAI event each July continues to grow in popularity.
Moving forward, the Iowa DOT has made a commitment to our customers to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan to expand opportunities and further improve conditions for bicycling and walking across the state.
This plan will build upon the Iowa DOT’s long-range strategy for multimodal transportation over the next three decades, Iowa in Motion – Planning Ahead 2040. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan has three key objectives:
- Align with national best practices, including the federal transportation funding bill called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) and national guidelines for trail development.
- Develop a list of priorities to expand the trails system between and within cities.
- Help state and local agencies to put the plan in place by providing tools for funding and design.
Upon its completion, this plan will serve as the primary guide for statewide decision-making regarding bicycle and pedestrian programs and facilities, including sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, paved shoulders, and other trail elements. It will also help achieve a better level of statewide coordination and continuity for all levels of bicycle and pedestrian mobility through regional, county, and city plans and programs.
It is a primary goal of this project to get customer input during the development of the plan through public meetings, social media, and email. The initial round of public meetings will be held in November 2013. Visit the "Public Involvement" page to find out how you can get involved.
Public meetings and locations
It is a primary goal of this project to engage citizens during the development of the plan. The following public meetings have been scheduled.
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
5 to 7 p.m.
IDOT District 6 Office - conference room A
5455 Kirkwood Blvd. SW.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
http://www.iowadot.gov/
Lindale Trail is now open
The Cedar Rapids segment of the Lindale Trail is now paved. The Trail is open! This trail is unique in the Metro area in that it includes 3 ft gravel paths on either side of the 10 ft asphalt pavement. We hope this accommodates both runners and bikers. Bike traffic significantly increases when a trail is paved but runners strongly prefer a gravel path. We would like to know if this should be a design standard for future trail construction when sufficient width allows.
Linn County Trails Association (LCTA) initiated the Lindale Trail project 3 years ago when Tom Treharne, Marion Planning & Development Director, suggested that we adopt the project to continue the trail in Marion that extended to the Marion City Limit on an abandoned railroad right-of-way. LCTA has contributed over $55,000 to the development, including a $15,000 contribution from Rockwell Collins. The City of Cedar Rapids has contributed the crushed limestone, the crews and equipment to grade and pave the trail and $16,000 towards the cost of asphalt. THIS WAS A TEAM EFFORT AND WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF ALL PARTIES HAD NOT CONTRIBUTED!
Projects like this are funded by the LCTA supporters that make annual contributions to LCTA for trail development in the Linn County Area. Please add your support. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE TRAILS HAPPEN!
Lindale Trail is located north of Blairs Ferry Rd extending east from C Ave NE (in front of Walgreens).