Annual RRVTA Banquet – February 15, 2025
Mark your calendars! The annual Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA) Banquet is set for Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Country Lane Lodge in Adel.
Social Hour: 4:30 PM
Dinner: 5:30 PM
Program: 6:15 PM
We’re excited to keep ticket prices the same as last year: $50 per individual or $500 for a table of 8.
This banquet is our most significant fundraising event of the year, supporting trail promotion and marketing efforts.
This year’s program features:
A guest speaker from Travel Iowa, discussing how trails help attract visitors to the state.
Luke Hoffman, from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, sharing findings from a study on the economic impact of trails in Iowa.
Updates from the three county conservation directors on trail projects.
A brand-new RRVTA video premiere.
Jason Sydejko of KCCI will emcee the evening, and Keith Kerkhoff will lead the live auction. Don’t miss our silent auction, packed with exciting gifts and experiences, and an evening of networking with fellow cyclists as we gear up for another great season!
Tickets will go sale starting in December.
South Loop Improvements Continue in 2025
Big changes are ahead for the South Loop of the RRVT (Waukee to Linden) in 2025!
At the December Dallas County Conservation Board meeting, bids will be reviewed for several major projects, including:
Repairing and widening the remaining five bridges, including two west of Adel.
Replacing the asphalt with concrete from Adel to Ortonville.
Adding a new trailhead on the north side of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
Bridge work could begin as early as this winter, with other improvements scheduled for spring and summer.
In recent years, Dallas County Conservation has made remarkable progress in revitalizing the South Loop:
Adel to Redfield was re-asphalted in 2020-21.
Redfield to Linden saw asphalt replaced with concrete in 2023-24.
The Lighted Bridge repairs in Adel were completed in 2024.
Trail enhancements can be costly and temporarily disruptive, but with an 89-mile trail, ongoing maintenance is essential. Short-term inconveniences lead to long-term gains, ensuring the RRVT remains one of the premier trails in the country.
Stay tuned next month for updates on trail improvement plans in Guthrie and Greene counties!
Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Welcomes Four New Board Members
In 2024, we welcomed several new members to the Board of Directors, succeeding three outgoing members whose terms have concluded. Departing the board are Keith Troester, Sandy Lowe, and Stan Boyer.
Keith served as treasurer for several years, playing a pivotal role in the success of the annual banquet and numerous other initiatives during his nine years on the board. Sandy Lowe held various leadership roles, including board chair, under whose guidance the RRVT was recognized as one of America’s Hall of Fame Trails. Stan Boyer has been a steadfast supporter of RRVTA events and holds the unique distinction of having worked on the railroad before transitioning to riding the trail that replaced the tracks.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Keith, Sandy, and Stan for their dedication and service.
Joining the board are Phil Hodgin, Gretchen Wilhelmi, Laurie Tigges, and Rev. Doug Pfeiffer. Phil, an architect with RDG Planning and Design in Des Moines, brings a wealth of design expertise. Gretchen Wilhelmi of Panora serves as a regional services manager with UnityPoint and is a long-time supporter of the trail and an avid biker. Laurie Tigges, owner and operator of Big Blue, a bed and breakfast in Adel, brings a valuable perspective to the board as a business owner situated along the trail. Rev. Doug Pfeiffer, the Senior Pastor of First Christian Church in Adel, offers a fresh perspective from his community leadership experience.
Each of our new board members brings unique insights, and we are confident they will contribute significantly in the years to come.
(From left to right:) Gretchen Wilhelmi, Phil Hodgin, Laurie Tigges and Rev. Doug Pfeiffer, the Senior Pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church in Des Moines
We Want Your Feedback!
We’re dedicated to making the experience on the RRVT as enjoyable as possible, and your input is invaluable. We’d love to hear about your experience—what you liked, what could be improved, and any suggestions for the future.
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. Your insights will help us enhance the trail for all users. Whether it’s the towns along the trail, surface conditions, the trail amenities, or areas for improvement, we want to know what matters most to you.
Click the link below to start the survey. Thank you for helping us make the RRVT even better!
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