Fund drive started for first phase of trail

Sun April 19 2009
Posted Apr 19, 2009
8,454

CLERMONT, IA By Jack Swanson The Fayette County Trails Committee and the Fayette County Conservation Board are looking for $100,000. No, they didn’t lose it, but this is the amount they hope to raise in private donations to help fund the first phase of construction in the Fayette County Trail System. This first phase entails constructing a trail from Clermont that runs along County Road W51 past the Valley School to Elgin. The almost five-mile trail will also go about a mile west out of Clermont and connect to what is commonly known as the Nims Bridge along the Great River Road. The Fayette County Conservation Board recently announced that a $500,000 grant has been awarded to the project from the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Fayette County Trails Committee is trying to raise a total of $1 million in grant monies, private funds and donations to complete the bike/walking trail. Fayette County Conservation Board Director Rod Marlatt said the County has also applied for a $250,000 Federal Recreational Trails Grant. “There’s a lot more work to be done and a lot more grants out there to go after. We’re also going to have to do some private fundraising,” Marlatt related. Marlatt said this first phase of The Fayette County Trails System would be the backbone of the system. Additional long-term goals include connecting to the Prairie Farmer Trail that starts near Calmar, as well as other communities in Fayette County. “The trail will provide a way for residents and visitors to safely enjoy the beautiful rural Iowa countryside as well as improve their wellness and health,” Marlatt pointed out. Trail committee members say this is the first phase of a larger effort to develop a county-wide system of interconnecting trails. The committee is also working to ensure that Fayette Country trails align with or connect to trails in other counties throughout Northeast Iowa. Organizers say this segment of trail was selected as the first phase because of the multiple benefits it provides for County residents, as well as its ability to garner state and federal grants for construction. The scenic quality of the trail was noted by committee members and the proximity to the Turkey River and six canoe launches as positives for this initial phase. It was also noted that Clermont contains many historical landmarks including the Montauk site, once home to Iowa Governor William Larrabee, and just outside of Elgin is the Gilbertson Conservation Area. “A trail connecting these communities will create a recreational destination for tourists and benefit our entire county by increasing tourism revenue,” Committee members said. It was also noted that the trail will provide “safe” bike and pedestrian access to the Valley School. “In the past, students have not been encouraged to walk or bike to school because the narrow two-lane road is too dangerous,” Marlatt said. The plan is to have the new trail completed by fall of 2010. Marlatt went on to explain that the privately donated funds will provide leverage for state funding in the form of a Vision Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant. Donation forms are now available throughout the County. Marlatt said no donation will be considered too small. For more information call Marlatt at 563-422-5146 or Trails Committee President Maureen Johnson at 563-423-5000. Committee members are also encouraging the public to attend Fayette County Trails meetings.