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History & Accomplishments

  • LCTA spearheaded the planning and development of the Cedar River Trail by lobbying the Cedar Rapids to apply for state and federal funds to build it, and by agreeing to pay 70% ($70,000) of the local match for the first segment. Currently it spans over 7 miles from Boyson Road (where it meets the Cedar Valley Nature Trail) to Ely Road (south of Highway 30) LCTA paid one half of Hiawatha's local match on the segment from Blairs Ferry North to Cedar Valley Nature Trail and $35,000 towards the segment just south of HWY 30 to just north of Ely.
  • LCTA has purchased properties related to the Grant Wood Trail in Linn County and are developing it with LCTA funds. About nine miles have been purchased, with six of them now open to the public. Eventually the Grant Wood Trail will meet up with a segment being developed by the Grant Wood Trail Association in Jones county at Martelle. Their segment will stretch to Olin in Jones County.
  • LCTA provides a trail volunteer to the city that coordinates all trail development activity in the metropolitan area and serves as a representative to the Regional Planning Commission. This volunteer ensures that grant applications for additional state money are submitted in a timely manner and that the various city departments needed to put these grants together are working in a coordinated fashion.
  • LCTA promotes the growth of trails in the Linn County area and has worked with government officials to develop a long-range trail development plan that is now being implemented.

History

The Linn County Trails Association is a non profit, volunteer organization that has been in existence since 1990*. Like many great volunteer groups, LCTA was started by loyal volunteers while chatting around a kitchen table. Their objective was to build a trail along the Old Interurban Line that stretched 12 miles from Bever Park in Cedar Rapids to Mt Vernon. Years of investigation and lobbying, conversations and debates with non trail supporters drained an enthusiastic group of people. In 1993, in an effort to regroup, a meeting took place around another kitchen table and it was decided that LCTA would expand their board (modeled after a group in Lincoln Nebraska) and turn their energy to creating a paved trail in the city. This was facilitated and guided by the Metro Area Trails System Committee (MATS). This committee, sanctioned by the City of Cedar Rapids, provided a guide for trails in the Metro Area.

LCTA expanded their board and general membership, and in 1993 started to meet the second Monday of the month. Board expansion, decentralization, stability in meeting place and time and an attainable goal help create a great organization!

Our first major project was to complete the Cedar Lake Phase of the 12 mile Cedar River Trail. The CRT would reach from the Cedar Valley Nature Trail to the Hoover Trail and be a part of the American Discovery Trail. In August 1997, after years of lobbying and fundraising, the Cedar Lake Phase of the Trail was opened. It was a great day for trail supporters. LCTA had raised close to $100,000 and helped with the match for the first phase.

LCTA continues to work with Cedar Rapids to finish the CRT and add neighborhood spurs to this backbone trail. LCTA has provided a volunteer Trail Coordinator to help with this process. The Trail Coordinator spends hours helping to research grant deadlines, collecting information for the city engineers and making sure that trails get built in a timely fashion. We have also worked with the city to formulate "rules" of the road to encourage polite trail use. During 2002, new miles have been added to the CRT, extending close to Collins Rd.

In 1997 a new trail project, the Grant Wood Trail, was launched by a quiet little trails group in Jones County, the Grant Wood Trail Association. They asked LCTA if we were interested in old railroad property in Linn County that would extend from Marion to Martelle and meet up with their trail from Martelle to Oxford Junction. Always ready for a challenge, we investigated the property and saw the potential for a great recreational resource! We jumped in boldly and bought up as much property as possible. The first Linn County segment of the GWT, 3.25 miles, was opened in 1999. An incredible amount of work had gone into this project, with hours of research in county offices, negotiation of land purchase and easements, and fundraising for land purchase and development. Much of the actual trail work has been done by LCTA members and we are grateful for their help!

Since 1999 several more miles of the GWT has opened for hiking, running and mountain biking. In 2002 LCTA placed a refurbished flatcar bridge to span a creek close to Paralta. This was a huge undertaking, yet with volunteer help and businesses donating time and materials, the costs were kept to a minimum. The GWT from Creekside Rd to Springville Rd has been graded and is now open for business.

LCTA continues to work with surrounding cities and the county to promote trail use and development. With the Linn County Conservation Department, we helped start the Trail Host program on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. We have planned trail hikes, bike rides and Freedom Festival activities on local trails. We raise funds for trail development and have helped to meet the funding match for projects in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Linn County. We look forward to continuing cooperative relationships with the cities and Linn County, to help make Eastern Iowa a trail destination!

*Years prior a Rails to Trails group was very active and created the Cedar Valley Nature Trail.

Old News Reports

News Reports

News Moves to LCTA Blog (Jul 15, 2006)
LCTA is beginning to use a new mechanism to inform and involve the public in trails events and issues. Click the "Blog" link at the top of this page to keep up to date on what's going on with trails in Linn County!

T-Shirt Order Form Available Online(Jul 10, 2006)
LCTA recently purchased a limited number of custom-designed t-shirts to promote the organization and trail usage in the area. If you would like to purchase one, print and complete the order form available here.

Trail Safety Video Available Online (Jul 10, 2006)
In 2002, a Trails Safety Video was produced by a team from Metro High School for Linn County Trails Association. The video provides helpful tips and reminders regarding how to "play it safe" while navigating your favorite area trail. Click here to view the video on your computer. If you are interested in a higher-quality version (e.g., a DVD or videotape) email webmaster@linncountytrails.org.

LCTA Blog Started (Jul 10, 2006)
To facilitate community discussions regarding important trails-related issues, a blog site has been created for LCTA. A moderator will present a topic, and the public is welcome to comment on the topic. We invite you to check it out from the "Blog" link at the top of this page.

LCTA Adopts Position Statement on 42nd Street Trail Crossing (Jul 10, 2006)
At the July LCTA board meeting, a position statement was adopted regarding the 42nd Street NE crossing of the Cedar River Trail. For some time this has been regarded as the most dangerous trail-related intersection in Linn County. A revamping of the entire intersection is being discussed, but in the interim, LCTA recommends a solution as shown in this diagram.

National Trails Day 2006 (Jun 3, 2006)
As has become LCTA tradition, those on the trail the morning of June 3 were greeted with a free breakfast at McCloud Park, Greene Square Park, and Sokol Park along the Cedar River Trail. Several area businesses graciously donated supplies for the breakfast. In addition, LCTA supported a Linn County Conservation hike at Matsell Bridge Natural Area in northeastern Linn County on the same morning. The weather was pleasant, and the events in all four locations were successful.

LCTA Team Helps "Keep Linn County Beautiful" (Apr 23, 2006)
Thanks to all who participated and cooperated in the cleanup efforts for the "Keep Linn County Beautiful I-380 Cleanup." Our 32 volunteers worked in the Cedar Lake area. We found a lot of trash and bagged all that we could. The volunteers had fun and great weather. We met at Noelridge park pavillion for a free meal afterwards. There was plenty more to do, but we handled the cleanup as best we could. Great job! -- Pat Healy

Grant Wood Trail Deeded to Linn County (Nov 10, 2005)
Linn County Supervisors Linda Langston and Lu Barron thank LCTA for its gift of the Grant Wood Trail to the County at the deed transfer ceremony November 10, 2005, at the GWT trail head. All three supervisors attended, as well as the Linn County Conservation Board President Lynn Millard, and LCCB members John Morris and Kay Halloran (now Cedar Rapids Mayor Elect.)

LCTA Halloween Event (Oct 30, 2005)
This Halloween season, LCTA started what may become an annual tradition with the Haunted Trail. The Cedar Lake Loop trail came alive as 33 volunteers donned costumes to become a variety of kid-friendly characters. The event also included crafts, face painting, and a photo opportunity. The flier for this event can be downloaded here.

Take Back the Trail (with Jane Kelly) (Jun 29, 2005)
Jane Kelly was attacked on the Cedar River Trail on Jun 29, 2004. A year later, friends and the public joined Jane on the trail near 29th St. NE at 7:00 am. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness about trail safety and to support Jane in her recovery. An informational flier can be downloaded here.

National Trails Day 2005 (Jun 4, 2005)
The rain held off and National Trails Day 2005 was a success! Plans again included a progressive breakfast.

CRT Segment F Dedication (Dec 4, 2004)
"Segment F" of the Cedar River Trail (from Tait Cummins to just south of Ely Road) was completed a few months ago and was officially dedicated by representatives from the City of Cedar Rapids on Saturday, December 4, 2004. On hand were several city officials as well as several representatives from LCTA.

LCTA Donates $15,000 to Hiawatha (Jul 23, 2004)
On Friday, July 23rd, Hiawatha celebrated the official opening of the Cedar River Trail through Hiawatha with a ribbon cutting. Linn County Trails Association presented Hiawatha with check for $15,000. The Hall-Perrine Foundation made a major contribution toward this amount.

National Trails Day 2004 (Jun 5, 2004)
National Trails Day was held on Saturday, Jun 5, 2004. A free progressive breakfast was served to trail users at three locations: McCloud Park, Green Square Park, and Sokol Park (Czech Village). Click here to see photos of the day.

Trail Plans for 2004 (Feb 7, 2004)

  • The major project for 2004 will be the completion of Segment F from Tait Cummins Park, over the Union Pacific Railroad, south to Ely Road. It is all funded and bids will be let on January 28. There is a signed agreement with the Union Pacific. The CVNT underpass at County Home Road will be completed in 2004. A considerable amount of maintenance work will be done on the Hoover Nature Trail in 2004. The Kirkwood College connection to the trail will be done in 2005.
  • The parking lot at County Home Road will be finished and the second layer of paving put on the trail soon.
  • A sizable sum of money will be spent for work on the McCloud Run trout stream. The trail will be closed when the work is in progress.

Trail Paving, LCTA in Freedom Fest Parade (Aug 14, 2003)
Work on paving the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from Center Point Rd. in Hiawatha to County Home Rd. has begun and that part of the trail is closed. A new parking lot is being used just off County Home Rd. (although it isn't finished) by many riders, walkers, and joggers to go north on the trail.

Much of the Cedar River Trail is finished along Center Pt. Rd in Hiawatha. Work is proceeding on the Blairs Ferry Rd. Crossing in front of Econofoods.

Below is a picture of the LCTA float in the Freedom Festival Parade. A big thanks goes to the Flints for letting us use their tow vehicle and trailer.

Upcoming: Freedom Fest Trails Event (Jun 15, 2003)
Walk, ride, or blade the Cedar River Trail on July 2 from 5-7:30. Register at Green Square Park and there will be free cookies for the first 200 people with Freedom Festival buttons.

National Trails Day 2003 (Jun 7, 2003)
National Trails Day is June 7th. LCTA will be sponsoring a progressive breakfast on the Cedar River Trail from 8-10 AM.

CVNT To Be Paved (Apr 28, 2003)
On April 21st the Linn County Conservation Board approved the paving of the CVNT from Center Point Road to County Home Road. The vote was 4 to 1. Part of the paving effort will be the addition of a parking lot on County Home Road. This lot will serve those who want to go North without the hard surface as well as those coming from the North to utilizes the hard surface. The lot has an appraisal of $8000 and the asking price is $10,000. LCTA announced that the trails organization will contribute the $2000 to make up the difference.

CRT Progress (Apr 28, 2003)
A hard surface has been laid down between Collins Rd. and Sylvan St./51st. St. The bridge over the Railroad is up and being worked on as well. See pictures below. Click on the small picture below to see a larger view.

Looking north at Collins overpass Under Collins Overpass
Looking East N. of Collins overpass Looking N. along Ctr. Pt. Rd.
Side shot of bridge over R.R. beside Ctr. Pt. Rd. Looking S. along Ctr. Pt. Rd. N. of R.R.bridge
Looking south from the bridge