Trail Development

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Please note: everything on this page at the moment is tentative. Additionally, because this is a wiki, the remarks on this page should never be understood to necessarily represent the views of Linn County Trails Association, but rather the collective views of the trails community.

Trail Development is a key goal of LCTA. We see the creation of more and more connected metro trails as a direct benefit to those in our community. We have a number of proposed trails, in various stages of development. If you have a particular trail that you would most like to see developed, leave a note here to that effect.

As you read about these trail improvement ideas, it will help a great deal to have an LCTA Trails Map in front of you. If you don't have a printed one, you will find the electronic versions here.

Contents

[edit] Trail Development Organizations

There is no one single organization who develops plans for future trails. Instead, multiple organizations may have various plans for future trails. One of the goals of LCTA is to coordinate among these different organizations to guide development of trails county-wide (and region-wide) in a coherent, fair, and logical manner.

[edit] Trail Development Process

How does a trail go from being an idea in one person's mind to an existing reality? Here's a description of the major steps.

  • Brainstorm
  • Building Community Interest
  • Route Selection
  • Feasibility Study
  • Funding Acquisition
  • Property Acquisition
  • Trail Construction Bidding
  • Trail Construction
  • Ribbon-Cutting!
  • Trail Maintenance

[edit] Funding Sources

[edit] Vision Iowa Grants

The Vision Iowa Program is a program of the Iowa Department of Economic Development and is available to assist in funding of major tourism attractions ($20 million minimum project cost).

On 2007-10-09, it was reported that several state legislators would like to see LCTA trail plans included as part of a Vision Iowa Grant application. To avoid conflicts with other 15-in-5 proposals, trails plans should be coordinated with city plans.

[edit] Federal Corridor Issues Trip

Each year during the February timeframe, several members of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor community travel to Washington, DC to present issues of concern to the Corridor to federal legislators. In 2007 and 2008, Liz Hoskins represented LCTA on this trip. TODO: could use more info on what the potential gains are from going on this trip

[edit] Federal Recreational Trails Program

The Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is part of the DoT's Federal Highway Administration.

On 2007-08-14, it was reported that the city of Cedar Rapids submitted three grant applications to the Federal RTP:

  • $4M for the Dry Creek Trail
  • $3M for phase 3 of the CEMAR trail
  • $1M for the Kirkwood Trail

At the same meeting, it was also reported that Johnson County had submitted one application to the Federal RTP.

[edit] State Recreational Trails Program

The Iowa Recreational Trails Program is discussed in this document, as well as other various places findable with a Google search.

On 2007-07-10, it was noted that the city of Cedar Rapids submitted three grant applications to the State Recreational Trails Program:

  • $4M for the Dry Creek Trail
  • $3M for phase three of the CEMAR Trail
  • $1M for the Kirkwood Trail

[edit] Metro Rotary Club

The Metro Rotary funds community wide projects. Projects must be multi-year and have a public service. On 2007-08-14, it was agreed that LCTA should have a list of ideas to submit to the Rotary. Ideas discussed included:

  • Kiosks for the trail around the Cedar Valley Urban Fishery.
  • Development of Old River Road.
  • Seal-coating portions of the CRT not done.
  • Development of Lowe Park in Marion.
  • Signage along metro area trails.

[edit] Existing Trails

[edit] Boyson Trail

The existing Boyson trail extends south from Boyson Road through several parks in Marion: Donnelly Park, Thomas Park and Hanna Park.

  • A web user asks: Are there any plans for the Boysen Road trail to be completed, or paved? -- Joeclark 11:41, 24 April 2008 (CDT)
    • Answer: As of 2008-04-24, LCTA is not aware of any plans to pave this trail.

There are also plans to put a trail (wide sidewalk) along Boyson Road from Marion to Hiawatha

[edit] Cedar Lake Loop Trail

The Cedar Lake Loop is a 1.6-mile loop trail around Cedar Lake in downtown Cedar Rapids. The west side of the loop is part of the Cedar River Trail. Parking and seasonal restrooms are available from the H Avenue entrance, and limited parking is available from Stickle Drive NE (near Quaker Oats).

Maintenance: For at least a year users of the west end of the Cedar Lake Loop trail have noted that there are tree roots causing the trail surface to deform. As of 2007-11-11 the city was developing solutions to address this recurrent problem.

[edit] Cedar Lake Cleanup

It is fairly well known that Cedar Lake is alternately known as "the slew", and eating fish from the lake may cause cancer. TODO: What is the cause of the contamination of Cedar Lake? If it was thoroughly cleaned, would it remain clean, or is there ongoing contamination? What would the cost of such a cleanup operation be?

[edit] Cedar River Trail

The Cedar River Trail is the primary "through" trail in Cedar Rapids, now extending from the Cedar Valley Nature Trail at Boyson Road in Hiawatha to the Hoover Nature Trail at 76th Avenue.

[edit] Segment G

Segment G of the CRT was partially completed in (roughly) 2006. However, due to property acquisition issues, part of the trail was left in an uncompleted state. On 2008-01-04, it was reported that work was underway to purchase right-of-way for completion of this segment of the trail.

[edit] Safety

It has long been thought that the 42nd Street crossing just east of Interstate 380 is the most confusing and dangerous trail crossing in the metro area. LCTA has discussed this from time to time, and made at least one proposal of possible workarounds to improve safety. On 2007-08-14, it was stated that the city is looking at options for improvement of this crossing.

[edit] Cedar Valley Nature Trail

The Cedar Valley Nature Trail has been existence longer than any other modern trails in Linn County and extends from Boyson Road in Hiawatha north through Center Point, Urbana, Brandon, Laporte City, and finally Evansdale/Waterloo, for a total length of 52 miles.

There are many web sites providing info on the CVNT, including this one which gives links to several other sites.

As mentioned in the meeting minutes from 2007-07-10, the south end of the CVNT from Boyson Road to County Home Road was seal-coated on 2007-07-31.

[edit] Proposed Trails

[edit] Boyson Road Trail

There is a proposed trail (wide sidewalks) that would extend along Boyson Road from Marion to Hiawatha.

This trail should not be confused with the existing Boyson Trail.

[edit] CEMAR Trail

The CEMAR trail will begin near Cedar Lake in Cedar Rapids, cut across 1st Avenue near 32nd Street, and head into Marion from there.

On 2007-11-11, Adam Lindenlaub reported that a State Recreation Trails Program grant for the CEMAR Trail was not successful. The CEMAR Trail application ranked 13th, while only the top 8 were funded.

On 2008-04-08, it was noted that the CEMAR trail can be an important link from Coe College and Mt Mercy College into the downtown area. Linn County has a problem with young adults leaving the area; the presence of this trail along with "destination" opportunities in the downtown area will make the metro area more appealing to graduating students from a "quality of life" perspective.

On 2008-04-24, Ron M stated: The design of the CEMAR trail is underway from Cedar Lake to 20th street NE- see the LCTA trails map. There is funding for that segment and we keep applying for the rest of the funding. There is a Marion segment which has a route and some of the land is owned by Marion. They still need some parcels to complete the route and they need about $1M to build that segment.

TODO: What other funding sources are available for the CEMAR trail? What is its current status? Is more funding required before bidding/construction can proceed?

[edit] Dry Creek Trail

The Dry Creek Trail is envisioned as a trail in Hiawatha in NE Cedar Rapids. TODO: Someone should add more detail.

On 2007-11-11, Adam Lindenlaub reported that a State Recreation Trails Program grant for the Dry Creek Trail was not successful. The Dry Creek Trail application ranked 22nd, while only the top 8 were funded.

[edit] Ellis Trail (Edgewood Connector)

The existing Ellis Trail runs from the parking area at First Street and First Avenue NE north past the Ellis Boathouses. Plans call for the extension of this trail north and west following Ellis Boulevard/Ellis Road to Edgewood Road. This extension is apparently was at one time funded but has not been completed.

As of 2008-04-08, the future of this trail segment is in question. It is possible that the funding for this project may have evaporated due to dependencies on other projects... Someone from the city who knows the situation better should weigh in on this (hence the TODO below).

TODO: What is the completion plan for the Edgewood Connector?

[edit] Grant Wood Trail

The Grant Wood Trail was previously owned by LCTA, but was deeded to the county in 2006 (or so?). The County Conservation Board(?) is now working to improve the surface of the trail. TODO: add more info

On 2007-07-10, it was mentioned that funding is in place to resurface 3.5 miles of the Grant Wood Trail from Highway 13 east sometime between 2008 and 2011. The initial surface will be limestone, with the potential for a hard surface in the future.

It was also mentioned on 2007-07-10 that an underpass of Highway 13 connecting GWT to the Marion trail network and Squaw Creek Park has been funded in the 2008 to 2011 timeframe.

On 2008-04-08, Randy Burke stated that REAP grants will be applied for to hopefully fund the Hwy 13 and Hwy 100 underpasses. The current REAP grant is due on Aug 15, 2008.

[edit] Kirkwood Connector Trail

The Kirkwood Connector Trail will begin at the Cedar River Trail as it passes under Ely Road. From there, the Kirkwood Connector will run south along C Street, and then turn west to head into and around the Kirkwood campus. Further proposals call for the Kirkwood Connector to continue west and north through Lincolnway Village and on J Street, east on 50th Avenue(?), and then north again on Bowling Street to meet the existing Bowling Street Trail.

[edit] Hoover Nature Trail

The Hoover trail, running near Ely Road between 76th Avenue and Wright Brothers Boulevard, has been in service for a number of years. However, as the Cedar River Trail has been extended to 76th Avenue, attention has turned to improvements on the Hoover Trail as the next leg of the Cedar River Trail.

On 2007-10-09, Randy Burke of Linn County Conservation stated that construction on the Hoover Nature Trail could begin in 2008. TODO: Specify what the improvements to the existing trail/right-of-way will entail.

As of the end of 2007, LCTA held the property deeds to the Hoover Trail. However, at the 2008-01-04 executive board meeting, it was stated that the deeds are ready to be transferred to the city and county.

On 2008-04-08, Randy Burke stated that $713,000 is now available for work on the Hoover Trail. Surveying of the route is complete, and RFPs will be released within 45 days.

[edit] Ely Connector Trail

Just south of the Hoover Trail, the Ely Connector Trail will run from Wright Brothers Boulevard into the city of Ely.

[edit] Cedar Bend Park Trail

[Is this the correct name of this trail?] This trail will circle the lake at Cedar Bend Park. Someone needs to verify and add details on this.

[edit] Johnson Avenue Bikeway

[edit] Highway 100 Extension Trail

Plans have at one time called for a trail to be included in the future development of the Highway 100 extension west of Edgewood Road. However, it was stated on 2007-11-11 that more recent plans have not shown that trail in the plan. Please let your representatives know that the trail component of the Highway 100 extension is important!

[edit] NE Crosstown Trail

[edit] Edgewood Trail

The proposed Edgewood Trail would run along or near Edgewood Road from O Avenue NW north to Blairs Ferry Road (and potentially connecting to other trails on both ends).

[edit] Bowman Woods Trail

[edit] Twin Pines Trailhead

As many in the metro area know, the City of Cedar Rapids has been considering the sale of a portion of the Twin Pines Golf Course. As part of this planning effort, the idea of a trailhead at Twin Pines has been suggested. Many in LCTA have expressed the opinion that such a trailhead should be planned no matter what else happens with the Twin Pines property.

[edit] Cedar Valley Urban Fishery

The Cedar Valley Urban Fishery, shown on this City of Cedar Rapids map is the area south of Otis Road at an old quarry site.

On 2007-11-11 it was stated that the City of Cedar Rapids has awarded the contract for the construction of the 1.8-mile trail around the southern sandpit. The schedule completion date is August of 2008.

[edit] Downtown CR

Development of downtown Cedar Rapids has been an important issue for Cedar Rapids government and residents for a number of years.

On 2007-07-10, the findings of a draft Vision Cedar Rapids report were given. The goal of the report was to investigate how health could be restored to the downtown area. The report included the following trail-related recommendations:

  • Create a continuous loop for bicycles and pedestrians on both sides of the river with a possible crossing at the 5-in-1 Dam north and the railroad bridge at the Sinclair meatpacking site to the south. It was noted that this would be added mileage to the LCTA trails plan.
  • Create a riverfront park with a pedestrian walkway that would link both sides of the Cedar River and touch the tip of May’s Island.
  • Remove the overhead utilities to get rid of poles seen throughout the area.
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