By MIKE WALLACE
Director, Dallas County Conservation
Project manager, RRVT “North Loop”

PERRY, Iowa, June 30, 2010 – Finally! We have something to show in our efforts to build the Raccoon River Valley Trail addition from Herndon to Waukee.

Mike Wallace, shown here doing the grilling at the 2009 picnic of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association. Major trail projects, he says, “seem like they take forever,” but on the new loop project, “we WILL get there.”

This 33-mile trail addition will create a 72-mile “loop” trail and increase the RRVT to a total of 89 miles.  The first section of this project, involves paving from Dawson to Perry and then south of Perry to Forest Park Museum.  This should be done in early July sometime.  The actual trail crossing of Iowa Highway 141 in Perry is a project of the city government, and it’s expected to be completed very soon, too.

However, the new section of the trail is not yet open to the public.

Even though the trail may be paved, there are still many “punch list” items that need to be done.  Many of those are safety-related, such as shoulder work, warning signs, stop signs, bridge railings, and chain link fence at major culverts.  Until the contractor “officially” hands the trail back to us, the public should stay off it for their own safety and so that they do not interfere with the work that needs to be completed.

The “North Loop” segment as it is called, from Herndon to Waukee, will be done one segment at a time.  The next segment that is scheduled has a bid letting set for August 17.  This segment will be from Dallas Center to Waukee, with some trail work within the city of Minburn part of it, too.  It is possible that this section could be done in the fall but we will have to wait and see about the weather and the priorities of whoever gets the trail paving contract.

Of course, it would be great to build the entire north loop with one contract.  But due to the way the funding for the project is set up, we will probably have to do it over a period of three to four years.  Some trail advocates, including some board members of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, are discussing if there are ways to expedite the funding and construction.

A major portion of the trail funding is a $1.6-million grant from the State of Iowa’s Vision Iowa Program, specifically from Vision Iowa’s “Community Attraction & Tourism” (CAT) fund.   That amount is to be paid $400,000 per year, over four fiscal years.

Another factor involved is that the Vision Iowa money is actually a “reimbursable grant,”

So we have to pay the total cost of construction of a segment, then after the fact submit expenses that will qualify for Vision Iowa reimbursement, but no more than $400,000 in any one fiscal year.  We understand why Vision Iowa does that – it makes it possible to fund more projects across the state instead of devoting larger sums to just one project, like ours.

We have looked to see if there are feasible ways of doing more paving than only one segment per year.  But Dallas County officials were unable to find an efficient way of cash-flowing a large, multi-segment project, when we have to wait for Vision Iowa reimbursement.  Most of the other significant large grants for this project are readily available and could be used right away.

Each segment of the project basically consists of connecting one town to another.  And each segment costs between $1 million and $1.4 million.  So, it looks like we will have to be patient and build the North Loop one segment at a time.

We know that this loop is going to be a major boost to our trail communities.  We have heard from trail users from across Iowa, and from many other states, who are anxious to come use the expanded trail as soon as it is completed.

With the new loop now being built, people in several of our towns will be learning about the trail operations and rules for the first time, so it’s probably a good idea to go over some of the basics.

First, the RRVT charges a fee to use the trail.  The trail permit fee is only $2 a day or $10 for an annual permit. However, no permits are required when you are on the trail within any city limits – there the trail is like a municipal park, free.  Also, the fee only applies to those who are 18 and older.  The permits are required whether you are bicycling, skating, jogging, walking or using the trail for any other purpose.  It is often called a “bike trail,” but it really is a multi-use recreational trail that provides a variety of recreational opportunities for the public.  The fees are used to help with maintenance of the trail and for matching grants for current and future paving and upkeep.

The permits can be purchased at Forest Park Museum in Dallas County and at various trailheads in the towns, where you’ll find self-dispensing permit tubes.  In the future, we may have other outlets in each of our communities where the permits can be purchased.

Please help maintain and support this new trail by purchasing your annual permits.  When you think about it, $10 per year is a great deal.  And if you want to help the group that markets and promotes the trail, you can join the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, which has an annual membership fee of $20 – and for that you also get a year-long trail permit.

Conservation staff members can’t be on the trail at all times, so we encourage trail users to keep an eye out for things that are not compatible with a great family-oriented activity.  In Dallas County, we actually have volunteer “Trail Rangers” who help check trail users for permits and offer assistance when needed.  Anyone interested in being one of these Trail Rangers can contact our Dallas County Conservation office at 515-465-3577.

Some other tips for trail users:

–If you are bicycling or skating, it’s highly recommended you wear a helmet.

–Be aware of other trail users.  All trail users – cyclists, joggers, walkers, wheel chairs, skateboards, and skaters should be respectful of other users.

–Stay on the right.  Just like a car, trail users on a trail should be in the right lane and pass other users on their left.  In fact, you should alert other trail users, as you come up from behind, by saying, “On your left.”  Check to make sure the left lane is clear before you pull out to pass.

–Obey the safety signs.  A few signs are placed along the trail for your safety.  Watch for their directions to stop, or yield, at all roads, driveways, or farm crossings that intersect with the trail.

–Don’t create a traffic jam.  When in a group or by yourself, make sure to use only half the trail.  Also, step off to the side to visit, rest, or if you have been asked to show your trail user permit.  That way, you will not block the flow of traffic on the trail.

–Clean up litter.  Be a responsible person and leave the area clean for other trail users.

–Enjoy the sights.  The nature along the trail is interesting and unique.  Stop to enjoy the smell of the prairie flowers or the sounds of singing birds.  Remember, the trail is home for many species of wildlife and is a designated “linear” park area, subject to some normal park rules.  You must leave wild things where you find them.

When we started this project several years ago, we thought it was taking forever just to acquire the right of way.  This took a few frustrating years, but we got there.  We then set out to raise the money and thought it was taking forever.  After a few years we have pretty much raised most of what is needed, so we got there.  We are now in the process of building the trail.  We started with renovating the bridge across the North Raccoon River west of Perry.  This seemed like it took a long time, but we got there.  We are now completing the segment of trail from Dawson to Perry, and it has seemed like a very long time, but we got there.

So, in order to complete this one-of-a-kind longest paved “loop” trail in the nation, we need to be patient, because we will get there.

You can write the author at mike.wallace@co.dallas.ia.us.