National Trails Day is Saturday, June 2nd.
In the celebration of American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® on Saturday, June 2, 2012, the Linn County Trails Association will hold its annual breakfast along the Cedar River Trail. This year, in cooperation with the Cedar Rapids Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Linn Area Mountain Bike Association, LCTA will offer a free breakfast for Downtown Farmer's Market Bike Corral users. The use of the bike corral is free and is located in Greene Square Park along the Cedar River Trail. Local area businesses and organizations will donate food and beverages for all participants. Food and beverages are available between 8am and 11:30 am . Click on link below to see event sponsors.
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Since the creation of NTD in 1993, the program has inspired and engaged thousands of individuals, trail clubs, businesses and government agencies worldwide. National Trails Day® inspires the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to learn about and celebrate trails It also provides an opportunity to thank volunteers, public agencies and outdoor-minded businesses for their support in developing and maintaining trails. Donations will be accepted. See you on the trail Saturday morning.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail Progress Update (May 2012)
Cedar Valley Nature Trail Paving Progress:
Due to good weather and asphalt application in one “lift”, the paving of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is ahead of schedule. By the end of May, the trail will be paved from Schultz Rd. (Mile 10) to Lafayette (Mile 7). The existing metal culverts at Lafayette were removed and the installation of a new concrete culvert is underway. At Lafayette, the paving project will be 40% complete. Even though this section is paved, trail users are reminded that the trail is still closed as workers complete periphery work. Please respect and obey the barricades and posted signage. With the current weather conditions, the CVNT could be open before the end of summer.
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CEMAR Trail Funding
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A paved bicycle trail connecting Marion and Cedar Rapids got a $2.5 million funding boost Thursday from the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The CEMAR Trail was suggested 10 years ago by then-Cedar Rapids Streets Commissioner Don Thomas, but it’s never been completed. A month ago, that fact helped prompt the Cedar Rapids-dominated planning organization — which controls about $4 million a year in federal funds — to decide to use 80 percent of that money on trails and bike lanes rather than street projects.
On Thursday, the group unanimously voted to commit $2.5 million of its discretionary funds in fiscal 2016 to complete the 2.8-mile stretch.
The trail will connect Cedar Rapids’ heavily used Cedar River Trail at Cedar Lake to Marion. It will run along an old railroad line through older sections of northeast Cedar Rapids, then under First Avenue East at about 31st Street Drive SE and on to Marion.
The Cedar Rapids portion of the trail is being built in three segments. The middle section, from 20th to 29th streets NE, was built in 2010.
The first section, from the Cedar River Trail at Cedar Lake to 20th Street NE, has been slowed because of problems purchasing a trail easement through the former Terex Cedar Rapids industrial site at 909 17th St. NE. Progress is being made on that complication, city engineer and public works Director Dave Elgin said Thursday.
The third section is complicated by the need to get under, over or around First Avenue East, though the preferred plan is to go under, added Rob Davis, the city’s engineering operations manager.
Elgin said the city already has the money for some of the first segment; the $2.5 million from the planning group will pay for the rest and will fund the third segment as well. Davis estimated that the first segment will be completed in one or two years, and the third piece will follow.
At the city limits, the paved CEMAR trail will come close to crushed limestone trail segments in Marion, officials there told the planning organization.
Samantha Dahlby, a Cedar Rapids member of the planning group, said the funding commitment fit the organization’s decision-making criteria because it connects to the backbone of the metro trail system, the Cedar River Trail, and because it connects two member cities. Elgin said the group’s 2040 transportation plan named the CEMAR Trail as the top funding priority.
Monica Vernon, a Cedar Rapids City Council member and the chairwoman of the planning group, called the CEMAR Trail “one of the longest-running, talked-about trails we’ve had around here.”
Also at the top of the organization’s priority list for trails is the need to provide $1.3 million to fix the existing Cedar River Trail, which has some sections that are now 15 years old.
The 2011 Fall Trail Connections is now available! 2011 Mayors' Ride, Blue Zones and Sac and Fox closure are some of the highlights. [download id="4551"]
Corridor MPO funding & STP funds
Last November, LCTA asked trail supporters to contact members of the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to advocate for the use of STP funds for trail development. As a reminder, a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is an entity composed of local elected officials, state agency representatives, and residents that is tasked with reviewing and approving transportation investments in a metropolitan area.
The Corridor MPO recently voted to use 80% of STP funds for trail development. The STP budget is approximately $3 million dollars. This is a big accomplishment for trail development in our region and now LCTA asks that trail supporters say thank you to the MPO for funding and supporting trail development. The best way to communicate with the MPO is through their website: http://www.corridormpo.com/about-us/95-feedback/140-contact-us. An example thank you is available below. If you contacted an MPO member previously, please feel free to follow up with thapersonal directly.
Dear Corridor MPO Member,
My name is (insert name) and I am a resident of (insert city of residence, work, leisure, etc). (Explain how or why you use the trails and why the decision to fund trails is a benefit to you).
There are key reasons to why this decision is so important for area residents:
1) Tax Effective Products - The report “Active Transportation: Cost-Effective Mobility Improvements—for Everyone” by Rails to Trails Conservancy explains that walking and bicycling transportation projects make the most of every tax dollar spent. “With fewer federal dollars available, these projects can be completed at a low cost, are highly popular and significantly improve mobility (RailstoTrails.org).”
2) Healthiest State Initiative - “Rather than asking people to increase their will power, the Blue Zones Community model works to improve environments. Little changes to your home, work, school, social, physical, and policy environments can make healthy choices the easy choices so that well-being improves naturally (BlueZonesProjects.com).” Connected trails make the healthy decision the easy decision.
3) Quality of Life - Trails have a high impact on quality of life for a region. Safe, connected trails offer opportunities for commuting and recreation. Funding trail development at this level will have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents in the region.
Thank you for your support!
Lindale Trail donation
On Tuesday April 24 Cedar Rapids City Council will accept the donation of property from LCTA for development of the Lindale Trail. Linn County Trails Association has been working to develop a significant recreational trail and an important bicycle commuting route to Rockwell Collins. Blairs Ferry Rd from C Ave NE to Lindale Drive is a narrow 4 lane busy thoroughfare and is not a safe bicycle commuting route! There are currently no bicycle trail connections between the two largest cities in the metropolitan area; Marion and Cedar Rapids. This project supports a Blue Zones Initiative objective of promoting healthy lifestyle by making it feasible for many employees to commute to Rockwell Collins and other nearby businesses by bicycle or walking. Non-motorized commuting supports the new Cedar Rapids iGreenCR program since it is environmentally sound to reduce automobile traffic.
LCTA has purchased an abandoned railroad right-of-way within the Cedar Rapids City Limits in order to extend the Lindale Trail east from the C Ave/Blairs Ferry Rd NE intersection to Marion City Limits. LCTA is donating the property (6.37 acres, approximately 2000 ft of trail) to the City of Cedar Rapids. Access to the trail from C Ave is via an existing easement through the IBEW property. Entry from C Ave is in front of the Walgreens Drug Store or from Blairs Ferry Rd east of the Road Ranger convenience store. The Cedar Rapids Comprehensive Trails Plan will eventually connect it to the Cedar River trail from the west and the Marion trails plan will eventually connect it to the Grant Wood Trail from the east. LCTA has been working with the cities of Cedar Rapids and Marion to develop the donated property at minimum cost by using city staff and equipment. LCTA recently completed a cleanup project on the property. It took three Solid Waste Agency trucks to haul away all the accumulated trash of the abandoned railway.
LCTA and the Cedar Rapids Staff are co-chairs of the Blue Zones Walkability/Bikeablity Initiative. The Lindale Trail project is an example of what can be accomplished when we bring the communities together in a cooperative effort to make Cedar Rapids and the entire Metro Area a healthier community!
Race on Cedar River Trail
On Saturday, April 21st at 6PM, the Healthy Counties/Healthy Families 5k Run/Walk will take place on the Cedar River Trail, starting at City Lot 44.
For details about the event or to register, please visit: www.ecofestcr.wordpress.com.
Please be cautious of trail users at all time!
Lindale Trail Cleanup - Mission Accomplished
Thank you everyone that helped with the cleanup on Saturday. You did in a day what I thought would take 2-3 days. Cedar Rapids Solid Waste Agency hauled it all away in three truck loads, including the big green tank that will be hauled away tomorrow.
Volunteer Opportunity
Interested in volunteering, beautifying trails and making a positive difference in nature? Consider helping the City of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department spread prairie seeds at Prairie Park Fishery. On Tuesday, March 6th at 9AM, city staff will be working with a group of student volunteers from Kirkwood Community College to spread prairie seeds. No RSVP necessary. No tools necessary, but please dress for the weather! For any questions about the project, please contact: Daniel Gibbins, d.gibbins@cedar-rapids.org.
Prairie Park Fishery - Courtesy Reminder
LCTA and the City of Cedar Rapids would like to remind bicyclists of the multi-use of the Prairie Park Fishery Trail. This 1.7 mile loop is heavily used by walkers and people with children or reduced mobility. People on bicycles should be provide verbal warning and slow down when nearing walkers, runners and those with limited mobility. The intent of this loop is not a race track, so please be considerate when riding in this area. LCTA appreciates your cooperation.