Grant comes through for Clermont to Elgin rec trail

Mon January 19 2009
Posted Jan 19, 2009
7,160

Independence IA By Jack Swanson The Fayette County Conservation Board was recently notified that a $500,000 grant has been awarded to aid in work on the Elgin to Clermont Recreational Trail System. The funds will be used to help complete construction of the 4.8 mile trail from Elgin to Clermont, and a little beyond. The trail, once completed will be extend to the Nims Bridge along the Great River Road, just outside of Clermont. “We want to get it out there so we’ll have something in place when we start the next phase of the trail project,” said Fayette County Conservation Director Rod Marlatt, explaining that long distance plans include extending the trail along the Great River Road, westward to Highway 150 near Eldorado, then extending north along 150 to finally connect with the Prairie-Farmer Trail in Calmar. “Recreational trails like the Elgin to Nims Bridge are vital to our community and will help improve the quality of life for everyone,” said State Rep. Roger Thomas of Elkader when he announced that the grant had been awarded. The grant was approved Tuesday by the Department of Transportation Commission. The federal funding comes from the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program. 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 that connects the towns of Clermont and Elgin and runs through the Turkey River along County Road W51, connecting the Valley Community School along the way. 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 but this is huge. It brings us that much closer to making it a reality. I think this enough to say ‘okay, here we go,’ “ Marlatt related. The Conservation Board is also working with the Resource, Conservation and Development group on the grant process. The plan is to have the new trail completed by fall of 2010.