Clermont to Elgin rec trail idea not dead yet

Mon September 08 2008
Posted Sep 8, 2008
6,427

A walking and biking trail between the cities of Clermont and Elgin could be only a few years away. According to Rod Marlatt, Fayette County Conservation Director, the plan for a trail between the communities has entered a new stage. Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) has agreed to assist in the project acting as a grant writer for the Fayette County Recreational Trail Committee. RC&D assisted the committee this past year conducting GPS and GIS work and strategic planning. "The committee identified the segment from Clermont to Elgin as their number one priority for development," said a representative from RC&D at an annual meeting of the board and special guests, last Thursday in Postville. Marlatt said the trail is intended to parallel county road W51 (Canoe Road) on the same side of the road as the Valley Community School. The current plan is to place the trail in the road right of way. If the trail will fit within the right of way than no easement will be needed from landowners. Marlatt said surveying will begin in the next few weeks to determine if the plan can work. The trail committee was granted a $127,000 federal grant several years ago for the project but has been unable to utilize the funds thus far. Marlatt said RC&D is assisting in writing a grant to seek "Safe Routes to School" funds through the Iowa Department of Transportation. The maximum amount awarded is $250,000. He said the grant is due in October. It won't be known until early next year if the committee receives the funds. The Safe Routes to School program was designed to encourage more students to walk or ride bikes to school by providing a safe route. The trail committee received support of both cities' councils within the last month. A resolution of support is needed from both cities to apply for grant dollars. Marlatt told the Elgin council that the Fayette County Conservation Board will be responsible for maintaining the trail. "People are looking to experience this area outside of the car," said Marlatt. He added that the majority of funds will go into either building an extension on the bridge that crosses the Turkey River or building a walking bridge. He said a project cost estimate as not yet been determined but could be determined in the next week. The Clermont to Elgin trail is only phase one of the committee's plan. Marlatt said they are planning to continue the trail along the state scenic byway between Clermont and Eldorado. The third stage is to connect the trail from Eldorado to the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail in Calmar. "We're hoping this will bring in new tourists to Fayette County," said trail committee chair, Maureen Johnson. Johnson said phase one is certainly being considered out of safety concerns for the students of Valley and for community members. "There's a lot of walkers, runners and bikers that use that road and it's just not safe," due to the amount of traffic she said. Johnson said the committee is also trying to encourage exercise amongst young and old alike. Johnson and other members of the trail committee have been working closely with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative. "In all of the surveys that NIFF has done, it's amazing how many times trails came up as something people wanted more of," she said. Marlatt said it will most likely be another two years before construction on the trail could begin. He said the committee seeks input from the general public. "Everybody seems to want this. If you do then be vocal about it. If you don't, say so. There needs to be a grassroots effort to get this going."