CVNT Paving Update

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail between Shultz Road and Iowa Street in Center Point is still under construction, so we'd like to remind trail users to stay off the trail until construction has finished. Staying off the trail will help construction continue on schedule, and riding into a construction zone is dangerous!
 
With that being said, the construction is expected to be completed by the first week or two of November as long as the weather stays favorable.
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New Online Trail Count Reporting

postLCTA 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!


No July LCTA Board Meeting

LCTA will not hold our normal board meeting this month on the second Monday of the month.  We will reconvene on August 10th at 7:00pm.

Enjoy the trails!


Hoover Trail asphalt sealing scheduled for May 28th

The asphalt sealing that was originally scheduled for May 5th has been rescheduled for May 28th, but it depends on fair weather conditions.  The sealing will occur on the Hoover Trail from 76th Ave to Ely.


ITC construction along Cedar Valley Nature Trail

May 18th Press Release from Linn County Conservation:
Cedar Valley Nature Trail to Close During Construction

Linn County Conservation announces that portions of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from the north edge of Center Point to Urbana will be closed periodically starting May 20.  Utility companies will be preparing for utility line upgrades later this fall and will be working on the trail to prepare the site for the upgrade. 

Sections of the trail will close when work is in progress and will re-open when work activity ends for the day.  Sections of the trail are likely to be closed through July 1. Additional closings may occur periodically through the end of 2015, as utility work continues through that time.

The closing is primarily due to work that ITC will be doing to upgrade an existing transmission line serving the region. ITC is doing ground work that will improve drainage around the trail. The company is also planting native grasses and flowers in the area.

Conservation Director Dan Biechler commented, “We have been working with ITC to enhance the trailside vegetation in conjunction with their planned transmission line upgrade. Although this work will require temporary closures of the trail, the resulting landscape will be consistent with Linn County’s commitment to enhancing the beauty of the trail and the experience for trail users.” 

For up to date information on trail conditions, call the Linn County Conservation Department at (319) 892-6450.


Trail Improvements Scheduled for Grant Wood Trail

Linn County Conservation officials announced today that upcoming trail improvement activities will impact access to the Grant Wood Trail in the vicinity of Highway 13.  Two planned construction projects will require the closure of the west end of the trail on the east side of Highway 13 starting approximately April 2.
Construction activity will start on a new parking area at the south end of 62nd Street in Marion on March 31.  This parking area will serve as a trailhead for trail users who formerly accessed the trail from Highway 13.
Later in April, construction is expected to start on the trail underpass at Highway 13. The highway underpass will allow the Grant Wood Trail to be connected with the city of Marion’s trail system. The underpass will require removal of the current trail access and parking area near Highway 13.
Linn County Conservation Director Dan Biechler commented, “This parking area and underpass project will connect two locally-important trail segments and allow people in Marion to easily and safely access the Grant Wood Trail.  We anticipate that construction activity will require closure of the trail for a few months.  I anticipate we will be able to reopen the trail by late June.”
Trail users may visit the Linn County Conservation Department website at LinnCountyParks.com for project updates or call 892-6450 for updates on work progress and the latest information regarding when the trail will reopen.

 


Bike Boulevards and New Bike Lanes

The City of Marion is actively working on debuting what could be Iowa’s first or second Bicycle Boulevard this summer. Marion continues to work on the full details of the plan. For more general information on what Bicycle Boulevards are, please see this link:http://nacto.org/cities-for-cycling/design-guide/bicycle-boulevards/

The City of Cedar Rapids is also considering plans to add more bike lanes to two key streets in town.  The infrastructure committee has just approved sending a plan to the Cedar Rapids City Council to place bike lanes on Boyson Road from C Street east to Marion.  The added bike lanes will have a calming effect on traffic, and will give cyclists a protected space to travel in.  LCTA has been advocating for this change, and we could use your help!  The plan to add bike lanes on Boyson will come before the council during the April 14th meeting at noon. CR City Council meetings are held downtown in City Hall, 101 1st St. SE. in the Cedar Rapids Council Chambers, 3rd Floor.  Attending this meeting would be a great way to show your support for this needed change.

 


Upcoming Culinary Ride will showcase local cuisine and beverages.

The Culinary Ride is coming to Cedar Rapids featuring local farms, food and fermentation.
The ride begins and ends at NewBo City Market with a post ride party in the market courtyard. Check in is from 8AM- 9AM Sunday, September 7 at NewBo City Market. The ride is leisurely with signs to guide your way. In addition, riders will be provided with cue sheets. The route is approximately 40 miles.
The first stop is at Matthew25 Urban Farm. The ride will then stop off the trail to tour the new location of New Pioneer Co-op on Center Point Road. From there, cyclists will travel to Allen's Orchard, Indian Creek Nature Center and The Winery at Kirkwood. Each stop will feature local foods prepared by local chefs.
Cost for ride is $45 per person in advance and $55 on day of event. Register online at: http://culinaryride.com/events/ride/city/cedarrapids. Online sales end September 5 .
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The Culinary Ride’s vision is to produce intimate, community-oriented bicycle events across the country and contribute momentum to the bicycle and local food movements. These bicycle tours feature local farms, food and the chefs that utilize these ingredients. As we marry local food and bicycle movements riders savor food prepared fresh by local chefs, and enjoy handcrafted beverages while roaming the farms and environmental designations in the company of friends.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Matthew25 Urban Farm and Horizons Meals on Wheels.


Thumbs up For the 2014 Linn County Mayors’ Ride!

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On Monday morning, 359 registered riders enjoyed an 8.5 mile ride through Cedar Rapids using streets and trails. Pre-ride refreshments and informational displays were provided for everyone by this year’s sponsors. This year’s ride was sponsored by the Linn County Trails Association, Bike CR, and Scheldrup Blades Law Practice of Cedar Rapids. As with every year, several local elected officials participated in this year’s event. They included:

Cedar Rapids, Mayor: Ron J. Corbett
Springville, Mayor: Roger A. Shebetka
Fairfax, Mayor: Jason M. Rabe
Iowa Senate: District 33, Senator, Robert Hogg
Iowa House: District 66, Representative, Art Staed
Iowa House: District 68, Representative, Daniel Lundby
Iowa House: District 69, Representative, Kirsten Running-Marquardt
Cedar Rapids: Council Member: At Large, Susie Weinacht
Cedar Rapids: Council Member: District 4, Scott E. Olson
Robins: Council Member, Donald B. Norton II

The annual Linn County Mayors’ Bike Ride is a free, educational bicycle ride organized as an opportunity to showcase the continued need and development for multi-modal transportation networks in Linn County. This year’s ride was Monday, September 1, 2014 (Labor Day). The event is unique as it allows elected officials to directly interact with constituents interested in trail development. And, for many citizens, the opportunity to speak to elected officials is an irregular opportunity. Providing both elected officials and citizens the opportunity to engage about trail development, the Mayors’ Bike Ride is a mission driven event that results in more collaboration between the public and government. The Linn County Trail Association would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help make this year’s ride a success. Additional gratitude goes to those who rode in this year’s ride to show support for trails and bicycling in Linn County.


Vote for bike racks!

Marion has submitted a project for the Wellmark Grant competition, but they need your help to win!  The proposed project will fund bike racks for the city parks.  Voters are eligible to vote once per day during the contest. Please show your support and help put this project at the top!

Bike Racks in Marion Parks:

http://wellmark.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=V&c=134845&s=68509816&i=1&sort=VOTES_DESC#SD

Home page for the competition:

http://www.wellmark75.com/