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Type: Nature Trail

Length: 15 miles

Surface: Mix

In Jan 2014 a Federal Grant of $143,434 will be used to re-surface the entire Old Creamery Nature Trail, from Vinton to Garrison to Dysart. This re-surfacng will include preparing the trail base (grading and spraying vegetation), laying a 2" clean base rock for the wet areas of the trail and to raise it 2" to 4" in height, rip rap around the 9 bridges, laying down a weed barrier, surfacing the trail with lime chip 12 foot across the trail and 4" thick, and grading, rolling and watering the trail to ensure firmness.


Condition

Needs Work

Grade - Unknown


Amenities


Description

The Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad abandoned the track in 1994. It was purchased by the Iowa Trails Council in 1995. Local volunteers began work on the trail in 2000. The name comes from Iowa’s only professional theater company, once located in Garrison in an old creamery, just steps away from the train tracks. The trail is now 14.25 miles of packed limestone with one additional paved mile on the west end in Dysart. Part of the trail is open, and part is wooded. There was great damage from the 2011 derecho, as the trail was almost in the center of the storm’s path. There are nine bridges and each mile is marked.

In 2010 the trail was donated to the Benton County Conservation. This has increased the volunteer and maintenance base, improved access to equipment and services, and provided a savings on insurance. There has been increased exposure to the public, as well more opportunities to receive grants and funding. The trail group still meets monthly spring to fall to support the trail and help with fund-raising.

Activities on the trail include biking, jogging, walking, cross country skiing, bird watching, nature study, and photography. Two newer activities are geo-caching, a type of GPS treasure hunting, and snowmobiling, which was controversial, but proved to be a positive decision because it packs the trail and decreases vandalism. Snowmobiles are the only motorized vehicles allowed, except for special events or maintenance.


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This trail was last edited by ss on Feb 27, 2014.

Upcoming Events

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Past Events

Big Bike Give 2022

24 Tuesday May 2022
  • online, IA
  • Other
  •    3,431

Twin Trails Celebration

22 Saturday Jun 2019
  • Dysart, IA
  • Gravel
  •    7,127

Triple Rock Ride

9 Sunday Dec 2018
  • La Porte City, IA
  • Gravel
  •    5,720

VD Ride (Vinton to Dysart)

6 Saturday Sep 2003 - 7 Sunday Sep 2003
  • Vinton, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    7,214

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Big Bike Give

  • bikeiowa
  • Fri May 20 2022
  •   2,994

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Latest Old Creamery Nature Trail News

Cycling on trails a biker's paradise

  • Tue July 07 2020
  •   2,580

The Old Creamery Nature Trail to add rest area

  • Fri November 21 2014
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