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


Grant Wood Trail Open House Meeting - March 6th

Anderson Bogert is hosting a public open house to share details of the planned improvements design requested by Linn County Conservation to the Grant Wood Trail from Highway 13 east to Oxley Road.  The open house will have no formal presentation.  The meeting will be held on March 6th from 4:30 to 6:00pm at the Red Cedar Lodge, 1700 Big Bluestem Dr. in Marion (Located in Squaw Creek Park).  

Here is a description of the improvements: 
The project consists of improvements to the trail surface and adjacent drainage ditches throughout this 3 ¼ mile trail segment. The segment from Hwy 13 to Waldo’s Rock Park will be paved with concrete and will provide a connection to the park. The remaining segment easterly to Oxley Road will be have a limestone granular surface and a wider turf shoulder along the north side. The elevation of the trail will be adjusted to allow for side ditches to promote adequate drainage flow. Construction is scheduled for the latter half of 2018. After construction,some of the open areas will be reseeded with a prairie mix and trees will be planted.


Bike to Work Week 2016

Bike to work week is next week!  Please see the posters attached to this post for the full schedule of events in Cedar Rapids and Marion.
BikeToWorkWeek 2016 Marion BikeToWorkWeek2016


Ride to the Marion Farmer's Market - June 13th

Cyclists are encouraged to ride to the Marion Uptown Farmer's Market on Saturday June 13th for a chance to win $25 in Uptown Bucks for use at Uptown Marion businesses.  The Farmer's Market will be held at City Square Park from 8:00am to noon on Saturday June 13th.


January LCTA Board Meeting Agenda

The first LCTA Board meeting of 2015 will be held on Monday, January 12th, at 7:00PM at the Shores Event Center.  We will have a guest presentation from Jon Bogert from Anderson Bogert Engineers & Surveyors to discuss  East Side Flood Mitigation plans and designs.  Please see the attached agenda for the full details of the meeting.  Our meetings are always open to the public and new faces are always welcome.

PDF link to agenda: LCTA Board Agenda_01.12.15


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.Fire and Ice Parade 2014


Bike Ride to the Blue Zones Kick-Off Meeting

Most of you have heard that Cedar Rapids has been named a Blue Zones community, and we all know that cycling is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. On Monday, Sept 9, you have an opportunity to demonstrate your support of bicycling's role in a healthy community by participating in a group that will go to the Blue Zones Kickoff event by bicycle. Nikki Northrop Davidson, from the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Bike2WorkConsultants will be leading the ride.  Destination: Prairie High School, College Community Concert Hall, 76th Ave SW.

To participate, meet at Green Square Park in downtown Cedar Rapids at 5 pm on Monday, Sept 9th. You must wear a helmet and you should have lights on your bike (it is likely to be dark by the time the event is over). This will be about a 9 mile ride each way, most on the trail but some on streets. I anticipate arriving shortly before 6 pm at the event.  No registration is required for the ride.

You should also register (RSVP) if you haven't already for the Blue Zones event at:
https://www.bluezonesproject.com/events/405
Looking forward to leading a group of cyclists who demonstrate they are living healthy by cycling to this event!

nikki d.


Great turnout for Saturday's Downtown Farmers' Market Bike Corral

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Thank you to all of those who used the Downtown Farmers’ Market Bicycle Corral on Saturday.  We had the best turn out ever! At one time, we had over just over 100 cyclists use the service.  This is a great demonstration of our community’s commitment in selecting cycling as an alternate means of transportation to and from the market.  In addition, it illustrates support and usage of trails and other on-street bicycle facilities as important elements in commuting around the area. The next market is July 20th, with August 3rd designated as “Bike to the Market Day” so there are several more opportunities to use the service if you haven’t already. Special thanks to Saturday's volunteers who assisted with the parking. If you would like to help, anyone can sign-up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4DAEAC2EA64-farmers. Thanks again for everyone's support and help!


Volunteer with LAMBA!

Saturday, May 18 is looking to be a wonderful spring day! Take advantage of the great weather by volunteering with LAMBA!

 

7-9 am: We will start the morning at Squaw Creek Park in Marion by helping Linn County Conservation load trees for Operation ReLeaf.

9-10 am: Potluck style breakfast at tables near the upper playground. Bring something to share and socialize. Learn about the new trail.

10-?: Spend as much time as you like participating in Rake and Ride! This is the first event of its kind and it will be a great way to learn about the trail building process!

Bring a lawn rake and gloves and of course, your bike. We will be raking the flagged trail corridor and then riding to try out different lines within the trail corridor. 

Please email me at [email protected] if you plan to attend! 

Thanks,

Michelle


GRAND OPENING OF THE McFARLANE BRIDGE ON THE CEDAR VALLEY NATURE TRAIL BRIDGE-2-BRIDGE CELEBRATION

Jennifer Sparks
City of La Porte City
202 Main Street
La Porte City IA 50651
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND OPENING OF THE McFARLANE BRIDGE ON THE CEDAR VALLEY NATURE TRAIL
BRIDGE-2-BRIDGE CELEBRATION

Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

La Porte City, IA -The City of La Porte City along with the Black Hawk County Conservation Board will be hosting the Grand Opening Ceremony for the McFarlane Bridge on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. The trail sustained heavy damage due to the floods of 2008 causing sections of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail to close until repairs could be made. With the opening of the Evansdale Bridge in 2011 and now the McFarlane Bridge opening in 2013, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail will again connect communities along its entire 52 mile corridor. Come and enjoy the "Bridge-2-Bridge" celebration with us.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4th at the trailhead near the entrance of McFarlane Park located at 13619 King Road, La Porte City. The celebration will begin at 11:00am with music by "The Ramblers" and the La Porte City Fire Rescue crew will be serving up lunch for a nominal fee. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 1:00pm. Guests are encouraged to bike to the event. Area bike clubs are organizing a large ride to the event beginning at Gateway Park in Cedar Falls. To get more information or to join their ride visit www.cvbikecolletive.org or www.CedarValleyCyclists.org. Otherwise, jump on the trail at any entry point between Evansdale and Hiawatha and make your way toward the dedication.

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is a segment of the American Discovery Trail and is one of the country’s oldest rail trails. This trail is a vital part of the Cedar Valley's recreational infrastructure and links the Cedar Valley to communities south to Cedar Rapids.

For more information about the Grand Opening Ceremony, please call Black Hawk County Conservation Board at (319) 433-7275 or the City of La Porte City at 319-342-3396. To print an invitation, please go to www.blackhawkcountyparks.com or see flyer here: McFarlane Bridge Event