2020–21 Capital Campaign Introduction Letter

While this year has brought many new unknowns, one thing we know for certain is the benefit of trails. Nationwide, trail use is up around 60 percent. We saw that locally also, when we conducted our first-ever LCTA member survey. Approximately 50 percent of respondents noted their trail use has increased in the past year.

The trails have provided a welcome relief from today’s challenges. Trails connect us to natural resources — fields, streams, wetlands and woodlands. They also provide a fun, safe way to spend time with friends outside.

We learned a lot by surveying all types of trail users from all over Linn County this summer. We noted a major preference for building paved trails that connect multiple jurisdictions. We also learned that we have a solid group of users interested in natural, scenic wooded hiking or singletrack trails.

Perhaps this year more than ever we have been so fortunate to benefit from years of work to expand our growing trails system. It is our goal to continue to “Make Trails Happen.” We can’t do this without your financial assistance.

Support our Capital Campaign

LCTA has a long history of being ready to jumpstart projects when opportunities arise. When railroads were abandoning in the 70s, 80s and90s, early Linn County trails supporters acted on the vision of building the Cedar Valley Nature Trail — now identified as an important connection along two coast-to-coast, nationwide trails.

Years ago, Linn County Trails Association donated the right-of-way for a portion of the Hoover Nature Trail south of Ely to Johnson County. Today, that connection is paved and incredibly active. Our humble trails group also jumped on the opportunity to purchase the Grant Wood Trail right-of-way, east of Marion. Now this connection is becoming ever more popular and important.

Meanwhile, Federal and State budgets are tightening. As nearby communities and Linn County develop trail projects, it is important we are ready to assist financially to continue the incredible progress we’ve witnessed in the past five years.

For many years, LCTA has conducted an annual Fall Fundraiser — a direct-mail campaign asking for additional contributions from its members. LCTA has given more than $1 million to local jurisdictions in support of trails development. We’ve put your gifts to our organization to great use.

There is no question our members have secured a continued bright future for trails development in Linn County. LCTA’s advocacy work also contributes to the safety and growth of our trails system. LCTA has leveraged your gifts to accelerate trails projects, provide important match funds to secure grants, and work with local jurisdictions to prioritize the development of a system of connected trails in Linn County.

Your generosity can help us continue to blaze new trails for years to come! This year we are launching a $200,000 Capital Campaign effort to ensure our trail-building reserves are full and our organization can act fast on opportunities we are eying. We understand it may be a difficult time for many of you, so we are asking you please consider a gift of any amount. $1 helps. $25 helps. $1,000 helps even more.

We know you give generously to many during this season, and we appreciate you keeping the Linn County Trails Association in mind.

Thank you, and Happy Trails!

by Phillip Platz

2021+ Upcoming Trail Development Projects

It's been called the, "Golden Age of Trails Development" in Eastern Iowa. With corridors identified, projects designed and on the books, the next few years will be tremendously busy and filled with exciting buzz and new trail openings. As a note, timelines may have changed as jurisdictions deal with the financial impacts of COVID-19.

CeMar Trail

Click photo to enlarge.

• Cedar Rapids: Separated trail and on-street bicycle/improved sidewalk facilities from Cedar Lake to H Avenue NE (2020).
• Cedar Rapids: 29th Street NE to 33rd Street Drive SE including 1st Avenue underpass (2020–2021).
• Marion: Bridge over Marion Boulevard Demolition (2020)
• Marion: Hard surface overlay through Legion and Thomas Parks (2020–2021)
• Marion: Bridge over Indian Creek rehabilitation (2020–2021)
• Marion: New bridge over Marion Boulevard with art component (2021)
• Marion: 33rd Street Drive SE to Highway 100 connection (2022+)

Grant Wood Trail — West

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• Cedar Rapids: Connection between Council Street to existing trail east of C Avenue, including Blairs Ferry Road NE underpass (2021).
• Marion: Bridge over Marion Boulevard Demolition (2020)
• Marion: Bridge over Indian Creek rehabilitation (2020–2021)
• Marion: New bridge over Marion Boulevard with art component (2021)
• The trail will eventually connect from the Cedar Valley Nature Trail at Hwy. 100 to the Grant Wood Trail in Marion and beyond.
• Linn County Trails Association provided $75,000 in funding for the design of a connection between Council Street NE, beside the active rail corridor, and to the existing Cedar Valley Nature Trail. The Association's advocacy was crucial in establishing right of way acquisition from Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) and moving the project forward quickly.

Grant Wood Trail — East

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• Marion: Land acquisitions are complete for the Marion Central Corridor project. The project will facilitate a bicycle and pedestrian connection between Uptown Marion and 31st Street, where the Grant Wood Trail picks back up and heads east into Linn County. Grading work will start in 2020 with pavement likely in 2021.
• Linn County: Work continues to fill the gap between Oxley Road and Creekside Road, adjacent to Secrist Road. (estimated 2021–2022).
• The Iowa DOT is working on an intersection improvement at Springville Road and US-151. The improvement is anticipated to include trail accommodations allowing for a connection from Springville to the Grant Wood Trail.
• Future improvements to the trail will connect eastward to Martelle in Jones County. Vision plans for the trail connect Cedar Rapids to the Mississippi River.
• Linn County Trails Association purchased the rail right of way and have a long history of preserving the trail for use. The Association gifted the trail to Linn County in 2005.

Highway 100 Trail (Linn County)

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• Construction on the trail through Morgan Creek Park is possible this Fall and Winter (2020–2021).
• Construction on the trail from 42nd Street, next to Xavier High School, and onto the Cedar River's edge should begin next year (2021).
• A route study is underway for the connection between Morgan Creek Park and Covington (2022+).
• The trail will continue from Covington to the Biechler Bridge, which will connect both segments of trail on either side of the Cedar River. This will be the last phase of the project to see completion.
• Linn County Trails Association provided $100,000 in funding to accelerate the design component of the trail between Xavier High School and the Cedar River's edge. LCTA also provided $25,000 in funding to accelerate the trail component through Morgan Creek Park.

Edgewood Trail (Cedar Rapids)

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• Extension from Ellis Road NW to Cedar River bridge (2020).
• Connection between Blairs Ferry Road NE and North River Boulevard NE (2021).
• Future phases will extend the width of the trail on the Edgewood Road bridge over Cedar River; complete the gaps between the Cedar River and Blairs Ferry Road; and fill in the gap between O Avenue NE and 33rd Street SW. No timeline is defined for these phases.
• Linn County Trails Association championed the prioritization of the connection from Glass Road NE, over the Cedar River and to the Ellis Trail. This project will move forward quickly thanks to the Association's advocacy.

Cherokee Trail

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• Cedar Rapids: Connection between Morgan Creek Park and Cherry Hill Park (2020).
• Linn County: The trail will continue north into Morgan Creek Park. Construction on this segment is possible this Fall and Winter (2020–2021).
• Cedar Rapids: On-street facility between Cherry Hill Park and Jacolyn Park (2021).
• Cedar Rapids: Connection between Jacolyn Park, through Cedar Hills and Cherokee Parks, to Edgewood Road (2021).
• Future phases of this trail will wind along E and F Avenues NW, ultimately landing at the edge of the Cedar River and the Ellis Trail.

Cedar Valley Nature Trail — North (Linn County)

• Grants are secured for hard surface treatment on the trail from Center Point through Urbana. Construction could start late this year or early next (2020–2021).

Other Projects

Indian Creek Trail (Marion)

• This trail will connect the Boyson Trail in Marion to Tower Terrace Road along Indian Creek. Letting for bids is likely to occur in early 2021, with construction to follow.

10th Avenue Sidepaths (Marion)

• This project will add multiuse paths to both sides of 10th Avenue, from 35th Street to Eagleview Drive.
• Letting for bids is likely to occur early 2021, with construction to follow.

MISD/Safe Routes to Schools Trail (Marion)

• This project will utilize vacant railroad right of way to connect Marion High School with elementary, intermediate, and middle schools on a 10-foot sidepath.
• Project was let for bids in March 2020 with a late construction start date of July this year. The first phase utilizes former railroad right of way to get from Vernon Middle School to the east side of 15th Street, then south to the intersection with 3rd Avenue. https://www.cityofmarion.org/home/showdocument?id=12574 PG 87

On-street Bikeways (Cedar Rapids)

• 3rd Avenue SE Protected Bike Lanes, 5th Street SE to 8th Street SE (2020)
• 12th Avenue SE/Coe Road NE One-way Bikeway from 4th Avenue SE to E Avenue NE (2020)
• 13th Street SE/College Dr NE One-way Bikeway from 3rd Avenue SE to E Avenue NE (2020)
• Center Point Road NE Bikeway from J Avenue NE to 29th Street NE (2020)
• Bowling Street SW Bike Lanes, 50th Avenue SW to Wilson Avenue SW (2020)
• O Avenue NW Bikeway from 16th Street NW to Edgewood Road (2021)
• 6th Street SW Bikeway from 33rd Avenue SW to Wilson Avenue SW (2021)
• 12 Avenue SE Bikeway from 7th Street SE to 17th Street SE (2021)
• Center Point Road NE Bikeway from Coe Road NE to H Avenue NE (2021)
• Bowling Street SW Bike Lanes, 33rd Avenue SW to Wilson Avenue SW (2021)
• Oakland Road NE Bike Lanes, Center Street NE to Regent Street NE (2021)
• 8th Avenue SW Bike Lanes, 15th Street SW to Rockford Road SW (2021)

by Phillip Platz

February 2019 Board Meeting Canceled

Due to the poor weather conditions, the board meeting scheduled for Monday, February 11, 2019 has been CANCELED.

All board meetings are open to the public. The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2019.

by Phillip Platz

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett Recognized for Commitment to Trails

More than $40-million dollars allocated to fund trail development during mayor's tenure.

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The Linn County Trails Association board passed a resolution Monday night recognizing Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett for his public service and contributions to trails infrastructure during his time in office.

Mayor Corbett was instrumental in reallocating the formula for the distribution of federal gas tax funds for trail development—from 5% to 80%—during federal funding years 2016–20, greatly assisting in the expansion of the recreational trails system in Linn County during that period.

The Hoover Trail extension, from Ely to the southern Linn County Border, is the first trails project to benefit from the funding reallocation and will open this month. A public ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for the Hoover extension on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 10 AM behind Ely City Hall.

Numerous additional trails projects have benefited from the funding prioritization and will see construction in the next 5 years, including the CeMar Trail, the Lindale Trail Extension, the Edgewood Road Trail, and the Cherokee Trail.

Linn County Trails Association commends Mayor Corbett for his wisdom, foresight, effectiveness and ongoing support of the development of recreational trails in Linn County.

by Phillip Platz

LCTA and Linn County Conservation Join to Mark Opening of Paved Trail to Center Point

After several months of construction and final touches, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail paving project from Schultz Road to Ash Lane in Center Point is complete.

Linn County Trails Association and Linn County Conservation will join to hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory trail excursion, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at the Center Point Depot Museum, 700 E. Washington St, Center Point, IA. Rain or shine, guests are encouraged to bike to the event.

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail opened to the public in 1983. Linn County Trails Association’s 2015 Capital Campaign raised more than $100,000 toward the asphalt and concrete surfacing project. A plaque at the train depot in Center Point displays the names of donors and organizations that contributed to the project. The total project cost was $1.36 million, including major funding from Linn County Conservation and $600,000 from the Iowa Department of Transportation’s State Recreational Trails Grant.

See the event agenda »

Event organizers say the Pave-the-Trail campaign was a milestone in success. “We’d never before taken on a fundraising initiative of this size,” said LCTA president Tom Peffer. “We were overwhelmed by the support. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our generous LCTA members and donors.”

Both groups’ efforts continue to help close the 22-mile gap in hard surface along the trail, from Center Point to La Porte City. Linn County Conservation is already working to pave the trail to the Linn County line, having just replaced a bridge over West Blue Creek. A bridge replacement over East Blue Creek is tentatively scheduled for next year, which will allow for hard surfacing to continue to Urbana.

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail connects nearly 70 miles from Cedar Falls to Ely on a mix of soft and hard surfaces. It is one of the nation’s oldest rail-trails, and an important segment on the American Discovery Trail, which will eventually connect the Pacific Ocean in San Francisco to the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware.

RSVP »

by Phillip Platz

Cedar Valley Nature Trail has reopened in Center Point through Memorial Day weekend

We appreciates your patience during these trail improvement projects!

More at MyCountyParks.com

by Phillip Platz

Boyson Road CVNT Parking Lot CLOSED on 4/25

The parking lot at Cedar Valley Nature Trail — Boyson Road will be CLOSED on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Resealing work will be underway on the asphalt parking surface.

Parking can still be found at the County Home Road and Collins Road lots during this closure.

The closure is anticipated to last one day. Thank you for your patience!

by Phillip Platz