RRVT News Archives

Year: All201020092008200720062000Author: AllgraficsChuckCarla
February 2010(2 posts)
• 26: Feature Photo(0)
• 22: Big crowd at Raccoon River Valley Trail Association banquet could see, hear and feel that a “whole new era” is now starting on the RRVT. Guest speaker Kevin Cooney, the Des Moines TV news anchor, sure emphasized that: “All that’s happened on this trail is going to increase a millionfold over the next 10 years!” The 200 in attendance helped raise $10,604 in one night! Full story & 19 photos here.(0)
December 2009(8 posts)
• 19: The “Christopher Klinzman Memorial Wildflowers Garden” has now been planted and will continue to develop along the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Greene County. It honors a talented Kansas Citian who loved bicycling, canoeing and camping in the rural areas around the RRVT.(0)
• 19: Numbers on the Raccoon River Valley Trail are expected to jump this winter, with snowmobilers now authorized for the first time to use the trail in all three counties. A new regional snowmobile club is helping with the coordination and cooperation. New rules are established. Details are here.(0)
• 18: Wondering where you can find trails that are being cleared after snowfalls? Here’s the report!(0)
• 17: Dramatic evidence of the expected impact of the expanding Raccoon River Valley Trail: City of West Des Moines pledges $60,000 toward the development, even though that city is not on the actual RRVT. Officials there recognize that thousands of visitors will come their way from the networked trail system.(0)
• 17: Clive Greenbelt Trail is re-opened under I-80 & 35 bridge on the west side of the Des Moines metro area. The snow is all cleared there now, too. “A great holiday gift” to trail users!(0)
• 17: Kevin Cooney, KCCI-TV news anchor and an avid bicyclist, will be the featured speaker for the third annual membership banquet of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, set for February 20 at the Panorama National Conference Center. You can order tickets now by using a form available in this story.(0)
• 17: Wow! Check out the bargains and unique deals that will be available this Saturday night in the fundraising auctions that are being held as part of the membership banquet of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association(0)
• 11: BRR! Find your helmet hoods, big mittens and booties! The 33rd annual “Bike Ride to Rippey” will roll from Perry on February 6 — regardless of the weather!(0)
October 2009(4 posts)
• 13: The long-sought “North Loop” on the Raccoon River Valley Trail is now “a reality, it sure is!” The last of the $6.6 million total cost of the project was covered with a $484,995 grant in mid-October from the State Recreational Trails Program of the Iowa Department of Transportation. Some construction work is already underway on the loop, and completion could be as quick as the next two construction seasons. Trail communities are celebrating the news and predicting lots more private development of trail-related amenities in their towns.(0)
• 09: In early October, $367,000 in funding for the “North Loop” of the Raccoon River Valley Trail came from the state’s REAP program! That left less than $500,000 needed to complete funding for the $6.6 million project!(0)
• 08: A temporary trail closing is in effect now at I-80-35 and the Clive Greenbelt Trail, to allow for re-construction of an interstate highway bridge. Here’s information on how trail users can detour around the closure on rides this fall.(0)
• 05: Lousy weather limited participation in the Fall Festival on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, but the communities did welcome the few who braved the cold and wind. Here is a brief story and some photos from the event.(0)
September 2009(1 posts)
• 26: Hey “tweeps”! You can now get updates on the Raccoon River Valley Trail (and other trails) on the social networking tool Twitter. Follow along on the user name “Iowabiketrail.”(0)
July 2009(9 posts)
• 25: Here we go! It’s time to “Build the Loop!” Fundraising has now started to find the last $850,000 that’s needed to build the $6.6 million “North Loop” of the Raccoon River Valley Trail, adding 33 miles, creating a 72-mile loop and making the trail at 89 miles one of the longest in the USA!(0)
• 25: The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has now joined the effort to complete fundraising and get the “North Loop” of the RRVT completed as soon as possible(0)
• 23: The “Trails & Trills” ride had 70 cyclists on the slow-go, Jefferson to Cooper, in perfect weather on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, musicians performing along the way, tra-la, tra-la!(0)
• 23: RRVT to close three miles of trail, in north Guthrie County, for one day — Tuesday September 8 — to apply an asphalt “rejuvenator”(0)
• 23: 4th annual Fall Festival on the Raccoon River Valley Trail is Saturday, October 3 — “poker ride,” tram rides, a trail trek by costumed dogs(!), special food, live music — all in celebration of another great year on the trail! The details in this story.(0)
• 23: Special program on September 16 in Perry to help celebrate the 20 years of the Raccoon River Valley Trail. We hope people from all the communities along the trail, as well as trail users, come join-in on an important & interesting free event(0)
• 05: It’s picnic time! Raccoon River Valley Trail Association’s second annual membership picnic is set midday Saturday, July 11, at Hanging Rock Park in Redfield. Bicycle in, or drive in, and join the fun. It’s free to members, with a bargain price for non-members, who are welcome, too! (0)
• 04: He has been working on and for the Raccoon River Valley Trail for 20 years, and now Joe Hanner, the Guthrie County Conservation director, takes his first bicycle ride on the trail — and loves it!(0)
• 03: The “Trails & Trills” bicycle ride on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, postponed in June because of bum weather, is now rescheduled for Saturday, September 5. Here are the details for the event that happens between Jefferson and Cooper, where musicians will play along the trail, there’s a good lunch and the weather will be perfect!(0)
June 2009(2 posts)
• 10: Vision Iowa board awards $1.6 million in “CAT” funding to help pay for the 33-mile “North Loop” of the Raccoon River Valley Trail! That leaves $800,000 for trail advocates to raise against a deadline of 180 days. If that effort is a success, work can begin to complete the 89-mile RRVT system, including a 72-mile loop within it. This is how a local & regional attaction becomes a national one!(0)
• 09: This weekend’s “Tour the Raccoon” ride on the Raccoon River Valley Trail now has 160 pre-registered. Another 100 or more are expected to sign-up when they begin riding Saturday, say officials of the sponsoring Des Moines Cycle Club. RRVT towns are going all-out to provide receptions & information both days. Tour will overnight in Jefferson in the middle of the 30th annual Bell Tower Festival! (0)
May 2009(6 posts)
• 27: “Last link” is completed! You can now ride your bike on paved trail all the way from Jefferson in west central Iowa to the Des Moines River downtown in the capital city. City’s trails director says it’s a 70-mile stretch.(0)
• 26: Raccoon River Valley Trail is going back into negotiations in June for possible Vision Iowa/CAT funding, and “we hope to hear some good news,” trail official says. “This major funding source could put us over the top for the funds to complete the 33-mile new addition to the trail.” (0)
• 25: Here it comes, 5th annual “Trails & Trills” bicycle ride, June 6, on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Musicians include 20-piece Town & Country Band as well as a brass quintet, and more. Cyclists can get a handy registration form here. “Iowa’s slowest bike ride” will again cover 8 or 16 miles between Jefferson & Cooper. Lots of fun musical stops and lunch, too!(0)
• 09: WOW! Guthrie County Board of Supervisors votes 4-1 to proceed with fundraising to develop 17 miles of new trail along the northern border of the county. It will head west from the Raccoon River Valley Trail at Herndon, and connect to Coon Rapids. It’ll take years, but this is a major step.(0)
• 04: Stunningly good news! The small town of Dawson (pop. 155) steps up with a $30,000 contribution to the expansion project of the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The new “North Loop” of the trail is expected to become a new economic lifeline for the community, and “the city leaders see the value” of the project.(0)
• 04: Raccoon River Valley Trail Association’s board of directors schedules special nighttime meeting, in Perry, to hear presentations from groups, answer questions and hear the ideas of people for improving the trail. You’re all welcome on Wednesday, May 20, 7 to 9 p.m.(0)
March 2009(1 posts)
• 10: Raccoon River Valley Trail receives $945,000 in federal stimulus money to rehabilitate the worn-out section of the trail in Guthrie County, between Panora and Yale. It’s great news for the trail’s larger enhancement project, too.(0)
February 2009(3 posts)
• 24: Big crowd, big donations at the banquet of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association – they are “validation” of all the efforts to enhance the trail. And Brian Duffy tells the crowd that “it’s amazing what’s happening here.”(0)
• 10: Three leaders in Iowa Senate support rapid completion of the Raccoon River Valley Trail’s expansion “for long-lasting economic stimulus.”(0)
• 05: Rule is changed to allow snowmobilers to use the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Greene County. Snowmobiling is also allowed on the trail in Guthrie County, but not in more populous Dallas County.(0)
December 2008(1 posts)
• 12: New “Tour the Raccoon” ride expects to put “hundreds” of bicyclists on the trail the weekend of June 13-14. Des Moines Cycle Club’s ride includes overnight in Jefferson during Bell Tower Festival. Special events needed in all our trail towns.(0)
October 2008(3 posts)
• 06: Several hundred people took part in the third annual Fall Festival on the Raccoon River Valley Trail on October 4. Go into this story for all the details and 17 colorful photos.(0)
• 05: Editorial cartoonist & cyclist Brian Duffy will be the special guest speaker at the second annual membership banquet of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, Saturday, February 21. Tickets are available now!(0)
• 05: An original Brian Duffy drawing of the Raccoon River Valley Trail, pen and ink with watercoloring, tops a list of more than 50 items to be auctioned at the RRVT Association membership banquet this Saturday night, February 21. Check the items here!(0)
September 2008(2 posts)
• 25: Raccoon River Valley Trail Association announces a campaign to raise more than $2 million to help fund the 33-mile addition to the RRVT, plus five miles of resurfacing on the oldest portion of the current trail, and other amenities. Can you help?(0)
• 22: The Raccoon River Valley Trail’s 3rd annual Fall Festival is Saturday, October 4, and here is the latest listing of events — with something for everybody! Free breakfasts, free tram rides, cheap lunches & fun all up and down the trail!(0)
August 2008(2 posts)
• 12: “Do I ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail a lot?” said Irving Stone, repeating our question. He opened his fanny pack & pulled out 19 annual passes for the RRVT, dating to the trail’s first full year — 1990! His wife Virginia Stone has a dozen of them!(0)
• 11: An “asphalt rejuvenator” has just been applied to the Raccoon River Valley Trail north of Yale in Guthrie County, and will be applied next week north of Cooper in Greene County, as an innovative new way to extend the life of the trail surface.(0)
July 2008(2 posts)
• 20: Monday, July 21, is expected to be a busy day on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, with cyclists riding from the Des Moines metro area to RAGBRAI’s overnight stop in Jefferson(0)
• 03: Here are the details of our first-ever free picnic for members of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, to be held Saturday, July 12, along the trail in Hanging Rock Park, on the edge of Redfield.(0)
June 2008(4 posts)
• 20: This weekend of June 21-22 looks like another good one on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, which is clear of all floodwaters and fully usable all the way from Des Moines to Jefferson.(0)
• 19: “Trails & Trills” ride on the Raccoon River Valley Trail between Jefferson and Cooper drew its biggest crowd ever, on June 7. Here is a brief story and 23 colorful photos of the event, which had 10 musical groups performing trailside for the cyclists.(0)
• 13: BULLETIN: The Raccoon River Valley Trail is now fully open and usable. The flood waters on the trail have receded, and storm damage to trees has been cleared, So enjoy all 56 miles of the RRVT!(0)
• 02: “Trails & Trills,” Iowa’s “slowest and happiest bike ride,” is set to happen Saturday, June 7, on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Here is the preliminary line-up of musicians the cyclists will hear.(0)
May 2008(1 posts)
• 19: Water main installation from Waukee east means construction near the Raccoon River Valley Trail, but the trail won’t be blocked(0)
March 2008(1 posts)
• 18: The Raccoon River Valley Trail is showcased in a spectacular new, six-minute-long video which you can view free here in this story. It is the work of one of Iowa’s top video production companies.(0)
February 2008(2 posts)
• 24: The RRVT Association’s first-ever banquet drew a capacity crowd on Saturday, February 23, and raised more than $8,500 in auction of donated items(0)
• 21: The RRVT Association’s membership banquet this Saturday, Feb. 23, is now a sell-out at 140, and ticket sales are closed! If you missed out, sorry, but it’s a nice problem for us to have!(0)
January 2008(2 posts)
• 17: Raccoon River Valley Trail Association’s first banquet for members and other trail supporters is set for Feb. 23. Here are details about the evening’s activities, including items to be auctioned.(0)
• 08: A MILLION DOLLAR DAY FOR THE RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL! With several major grants just announced, we hope to begin taking some huge steps toward making this trail one of the best in America!(0)
December 2007(3 posts)
• 11: New RRVT signage system is completed along the trail in Dallas County, with Greene and Guthrie County signs going up next. You can “Buy an RRVT Sign” for a $500 contribution and help make it happen(0)
• 11: Need quick holiday gift ideas? How about a 2008 RRVT Association membership, or a 2008 trail pass? And don’t forget to check the RRVT logo apparel available here online(0)
• 11: First-ever RRVT Association membership banquet is set for Saturday, February 23, at The Port in Panora(0)
October 2007(3 posts)
• 12: The story in words and photos of the second annual Fall Festival held October 6 on the Raccoon River Valley Trail(0)
• 04: Here is the latest, updated list of events scheduled for the 2nd annual Fall Festival on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, on Saturday, October 6(0)
• 04: This fall marks 10 years of the Raccoon River Valley Trail’s completion in Greene County, where after a somewhat contentious start, it has provided “a marvelous recreational opportunity”(0)
September 2007(3 posts)
• 29: KCCI-TV in Des Moines tells the story of the Raccoon River Valley Trail in the first segment of reporter Jason Parkin’s “Happy Trails” series, and you can see it on video here(0)
• 26: 2nd RRVT Fall Festival is October 6 with 56 miles of fun: “Poker ride” for cyclists, “Trick-or-Treat Trail Trek” for costumed dogs, a chat on railroad & RRVT lore during trail walk, free tram rides, live music, info displays, food & more(0)
• 06: There’s big news in little Cooper for users of the Raccoon River Valley Trail — cold drinks and snack machines will be available in springtime ‘08 at an all-new “Garrity’s Garage,” a grand old name in the community(0)
August 2007(6 posts)
• 23: Close encounters of the raccoon kind, on the Raccoon River Valley Trail!(0)
• 23: Flood damage to nationally-known Root River State Trail in southeast Minnesota will top $1 million, DNR says, but community leaders say most of the trail “is open and unaffected”(0)
• 19: A big day for the Raccoon River Valley Trail: Five miles of new concrete surface is officially opened from Linden to Panora in Guthrie County(0)
• 18: There are a whole lot of stories we need to tell along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, including explanations from the front-row seat the trail has for viewing agriculture(0)
• 13: Hurrah! Resurfacing project is completed on the five miles of the RRVT from Linden to Panora, and a formal re-opening is set for Saturday, August 18, with ribbon-cutting and bike ride(0)
• 01: Update on resurfacing of the RRVT from Panora to Linden: Concrete is now in place, shoulder work near completion but some cracking is delaying the re-opening(0)
July 2007(2 posts)
• 13: New concrete is being poured now between Panora and Linden, so that five miles of the RRVT is closed, but it will be worth the wait!(0)
• 12: Here’s a breakfast that seems ready-made for RRVT cyclists and their big appetites(0)
June 2007(1 posts)
• 24: So who will get the ceremonial “first flush” of the new RRVT toilets trailside in Yale?(0)
May 2007(7 posts)
• 25: You’ll love this musical line-up for the RRVT’s June 2 “Trails & Trills” bike ride, Jefferson to Cooper(0)
• 20: Here’s a college course we’d love to enroll in — Coe College prof and students are riding Iowa’s top trails, including the RRVT, and writing about their adventures(0)
• 20: The newest board member of RRVT Association comes with a relic — the first T-shirt produced to promote the trail back in 1989(0)
• 15: New safety locator signs along the RRVT will help trail users tell emergency dispatchers precisely where help is needed(0)
• 10: First of the new RRVT trailhead signs have now been placed in Dallas County, with more coming all along the trail(0)
• 05: A great way to start the 18th cycling season on the RRVT — getting a ride with a huge tailwind!(0)
• 04: He loves the RRVT, but he says it’s also fun to loop off of it to some attention-getting hills if you want to test yourself(0)
April 2007(1 posts)
• 18: Volunteers to do clean-up along the RRVT on Sunday, April 22. Want to help?(0)
March 2007(1 posts)
• 13: Pancake breakfast will help an Eagle Scout trail project(0)
February 2007(4 posts)
• 28: Four more grants help with the RRVT fund drive for new signage(0)
• 18: Trail talk & visions: ”The trail’s not the answer. The trail’s just a tool. You’re the answer.(0)
• 07: Kevin Wilbeck’s whimsical drawings of what COULD happen to old ag and railroad buildings along the RRVT(0)
• 06: Kevin Wilbeck’s whimsical RRVT drawings(0)
January 2007(2 posts)
• 20: Jefferson Telco Trust gives 11,550 dollars for RRVT signs(0)
• 18: A seminar on trail-related business possibilities(0)
December 2006(2 posts)
• 15: Guthrie County’s bold move to resurface the RRVT(0)
• 02: RRVT designated one of the “National Recreation Trails”(0)
October 2006(2 posts)
• 16: First “RRVT Fall Festival” gave us “a good launch pad”(0)
• 04: “Bicycle sculptures” on the trail in Greene County(0)
July 2006(3 posts)
• 10: Another step forward for RRVT’s “north loop”(0)
• 07: Old hotel in the trail town of Yale, Iowa, will get new life!(0)
• 06: Dead trees trailside are turned into “art” in Cooper(0)
May 2006(2 posts)
• 10: RRVT resurfacing in Guthrie County gets $175,000 boost(0)
• 06: A new trailside picnic shelter is completed in little Cooper(0)
January 2006(2 posts)
• 02: The story of SE Minnesota’s Root River State Trail(0)
• 01: Here is the latest, updated list of events scheduled for the 2nd annual Fall Festival on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, on Saturday, October 6(0)
February 2000(1 posts)
• 05: RRVT Video(0)