This has been an interesting spring for trail advocates in Linn County. On the positive side, our Grant Wood Trail Task Force has made significant progress. We now have over three miles of contiguous right-of-way heading east from Highway 13. This is where we will concentrate our development effort, at least initially. You can read more about the Grant Wood Trail and our call for volunteers elsewhere in this newsletter.

Also positive, our fund-raising and publicity efforts are in full swing. In addition, the cities of Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion are continuing to show interest in enhancing urban trails in the Metro area.

On the negative side, as I write this. it looks like the Iowa Legislature will send a bill to Governor Vilsack that will make it harder to complete trails. This measure, HF 476, was sponsored by anti-trail groups, notably the Iowa Farm Bureau. The bill makes it more difficult to condemn land, thus potentially allowing a single landowner to stymie any trail, including the American Discovery Trail, which is planned to span the continental U.S. While we do not favor condemnation as a matter of course, we believe that it's a useful tool of last resort, preventing someone from blackmailing an entire trail. You can read more about the Iowa legislators that voted "for" and "against" this measure elsewhere in this newsletter.

LCTA Officers

President: Joel Barnum - 362-5642 Past President:

Diane Handler - 363-5127 - Vice President: Jim Wing - 363-1093 Secretary: Fred Rogers - 365-4524 Treasurer: Ed Colton - 378-8971

Board Members:

Sandy Colton, Keith Fletcher, Chuck Kelsey

Chris Madsen, Ron McGraw, Bud Moscrip

Marcia Rogers, John Rosenberg, David Wolf

John Wollner, John Combellick, Peg Maher

Tim Grady, Janice Barnum, Bob Davison

Vic Dielschneider, Stan Eilers

Janice Kovar, Charlie Kress, Edith Nekola

David Stewart, Carolyn Wadsworth

The Cedar River Trail is the top priority for the area and most of the funding is in place. We are moving into construction on two more segments. Progress is being made elsewhere and we continue to add to the long-range plans. The status of all Linn County trails is detailed in the matrix. Here are some of the things to look for. Changes since the last issue of Trail Connections are marked with a dark border around the item.

CEDAR RIVER TRAIL

All did not go well since the last report and contract letting has slipped to July 2 for the Downtown section, as well as for the work on the North portion of the trail South of the Czech Museum. IDOT continues to ask for changes and will not allow anything to proceed until every detail is cleared up. As a result, work will not get started until the end of the summer.

As reported in the last Connections, revisions are underway on the south portion of the route. These are necessary because an upgraded interchange at E Street and Highway 30 is being planned for the future. Also, the Union Pacific rail line at C Street is going to be widened to accommodate two tracks. Some of this will result in temporary changes to the plan and some will require a modified plan. We will apply for more funds to pave this route instead of having a gravel surface.

We have received Tea-21 funds for the route from the completed portion North to Blairs Ferry Road (Segment C) and work has started on a cost estimate for Segment B. We still have some Railroad ROW problems and that is becoming a schedule problem.

Again we will be trying to obtain funding for the last gap (Segment G) before the Hoover Trail.

ROUTE 100 EXTENSION You might have noticed that the West bypass of Cedar Rapids (Collins Road-Highway 100) West of Edgewood Road has been pulled forward into the next IDOT five-year construction plan. Provisions for trails seems to be more a matter of where and how a trail could contribute to mitigating the impact on the Rock Island Nature Preserve. Notable connections could be to Morgan Creek Park, The Cedar Gwen Belt (Wickiup Hill outdoor reaming complex, Seminole Valley Park and to the new Xavier High School.)

GRANT WOOD RECREATIONAL TRAIL.

For information on the Linn county portion of the trail see other sections of Connections.

Work has started on a cost estimate for the Marion section of the trail and negotiations continue on some access crossings.

OTHER TRAIL WORK We are getting started on the next long-range plan for the Metro Area. While most of the trails in the Matrix will be included, we would be interested in any additions needed (West Side Ideas?) and your thoughts on which ones are needed first. I have had some input about sidewalks/trails along the proposed changes to Collins Road, but I am not sure about the support and the practicality. You can reach me at (319) 365-1374 or by e-mail at rcmcgraw@mcleodusa. net.

As of this writing, both the Iowa House and Senate have passed a bill that will make it more difficult to complete trails, especially in rural areas of the state. We await Governor Vilsack's action on this bill.

For your information, here is the list of Linn County House and Senate members and -their votes on this issue. We urge you to become (or remain) politically active and at election time, remember those legislators that have shown their support for trails.

We also recommend that you contact your representatives and let them know how you feel about their actions on this important anti4rails bill.

House

http:llwww2. legisstate. ia. usIGA@78GAISession. IIHJournall DayIO422.htmi

House Journal: Page 1617: Thursday, April 22, 1999 On the question "Shall the bill pass?" (N.F. 476) The ayes were, 6 1: Alons/Amold/Barry/Baudier/Belf/Boddicker/Bradicy/Brauns/ Bnmkhorst/Bukta/Bumett/Carrofl/Davis/Dix/Dolecheck/Drake/ Eddie/Faick/Fallon/Frevert/Garman/Gipp/Greiner/Hahn/ Heaton/Hoffman/Holmes/Horbach/Houser/Huseman/Huser/ Jager/Johnson/Kettering/Memme/Kreiman/Kuhn/Larson/Lord/ Mascher/May/Mertz/Mundic/O'Brien/Parmenter/Raecker/ Rants/Rayhons/Reynolds/Richardson/Schrader/Stevens/Sukup/ Sunderbruch/Thomas/Thomson/Tyrrell/VanEngelenboven/ Weidman/Welter/Wise

The nays were, 33:

Blodgett/Cataido/Chiodo/Cohoon/Connors/Connack/Doderer/ Dotzler/Drees/Foege/Ford/Hansen/Holveck/Jacobs/Jenkins/ JochumALarkin/Martin/N4ctcalf/Millage/Murphy/Nelson/Oster- haus/Scherrman/Shoultz/Siegrist/Tayfor/Teig/VanFossen/ WamstadVWhitead[Witt/Mr. Speaker Corbett

Absent or not voting, 5: Boal/Boggess/Chapman/ Grundberg/Weiget

Under the provision of Rule 76, conflict of interest, Myers of Johnson refrained from voting.

The bill, having received a constitutional majority was declared to have passed the House and the title was agreed to.

Senate

http:llwww2.legis. state. ia.usIGA178GAISession. JISJournall 01300101322.htmi

Senate Journal: Page 1322: Tuesday, April 27, 1999

On the question "SIWI the bill pass?" (H.F. 476), the vote was: The Ayes were, 27:

Angelo/Bartz/Behn/Doettger/Drake/Fink/Fraise/Freeman/ Gaskill/Hedge/Horn/lverson/Jensen/Johnson/Judge/Kibbie/ McKean/McLaren/Miller/Redwine/RehbergmHe/Schuerer/Sex- ton/ShearerNeenstra/Zieman

Nays, 19: Black/Bolkcom/Connolly/Dearden/Detuhery/Dvorsky/Gronstal/ Hammond/Hansen[Harper/Kramer/Lamberti/Maddox/McCoyl McKibben/Redfem/Rittmer/Soukup/Tinsman

Absent or not voting, 4: Flynn/King/Lundby/Szymomak

The bill, having received a constitutional majority, was declared to have passed the Senate and the title was agreed to.

Early Spring has brought a flum of activity related to the planning and initial development of the Grant Wood Trail. Additional leases/ease- ments have recently been finalized, which will allow use of another one and one quarter miles of the abandoned railroad right-of-way. This is in addition to the more than six miles of ROW between Highway 13 and Martelle that are di-rectly owned by LCTA.

Before the end of summer, it is hoped to have at least one continuous three and one quarter mile segment available for use by hikers and mountain bikers. This represents about one-third of the total planned trail length. This portion, located between Highway 13 and Oxley Road, will initially provide a very scenic route that will have a relatively unfinished surface without final smooth grading or any all-weather limestone gravel sur- face. Volunteer work sessions by LCTA members and other friends of trails are now being held on weekends to clear away shrubs, fallen trees, etc., in preparation for any rough grading needed. This will then be followed by mowing of the surface.

Donations of time and/or money are both needed to further the development of this trail. We fully expect the Grant Wood Trail will be a very welcome and scenic addition to our recreational resources here in eastern Iowa.

John Combellik and Marvin Rops, hard at work on the Grant Wood Trail

Grant Wood Trail workers (I to r): Marvin Rops Ed Colton John Combelli Michelle Desci Rob Desch

kV Joel Barnum One of the great things about trails is the people you meet. And the best thing, I think, is seeing the "regulars". The trail I use most frequently is the Cedar River Trail. since it passes near where I live. I'd like to tell you about some of the regulars.

First', there's Mrs. X, with her canine companion, Ginger. I see Mrs. X on the trail, very early, before 7AM. I often see her and Ginger on their daily rounds near Cedar Lake. Mrs. X is a true "good" citizen-most times, she carries a garbage bag to pick up the trash that others thoughtlessly throw around the lake. And the sorry truth is that most of the time, that bag is full. Mrs. X is marvelously efficient - one morning she unintentionally confiscated the Gatorade bottle I had strategically placed by my car as I ran loops around the lake!

Then there's the two retired ex-Marines (at least I think of them as such). They are out nearly there every day, winter or summer. It's my belief they have circumnavigated that lake more than any other humans on the planet. I often stop to chat with them, and believe me, they are the biggest supporters of paved trails, especially ones that the City plows in the winter. They know I am involved with the LCTA, and practically every time they see me, they ask when the loop will completely paved. I tell them: soon. (I hope I am right.)

Finally, there's the group 1 identify with the most: the Lunch Time Runners. I see these same people, blasting miles instead of eating. (I hope their places of employment have showers!) This group shows just how great it is to have a trail that winds through downtown CR: they can exit their front door and within minutes, be doing speedwork and tempo runs without having to dodge traffic. I just wish I were as dedicated as they are.

So who are your favorite regulars on your favorite trail? Tell us their story! Drop us an email at trails@descriptor.com and we will publish you in our next newsletter.

Thanks to many extended committee members, we were able to deliver the "Trails of Linn County" map to the top 60 employers in Linn County. This map, which is displayed at many trail heads in the area, details the current trails and future trails for Linn County. It also has a description of LCTA, our goals and expectations. From the corporations, we requested donations for the Grant Wood Trail to help meet the land acquisition needs and trail construction costs. Interestingly, many of the corporate representatives that we spoke with were hikers and bicyclists. Many wanted to help with actual trail construction... the hard work of digging, planting... wheel barrels of fun! Several corporations have already mailed in checks. We are delighted! Thanks to all who helped.

The membership committee, headed by Chris Madsen, is embarking on a new member drive. Soon we "I mail out membership letters to new contacts and include a free "Trails of Linn County" map to all who enroll. This map is a $10 value, designed by Drew Davies of the Basler Design group, and quite suitable for framing. If you know of possible new members, please call Chris at 377-6444. We will add them to our mailing list.

The publicity committee has been involved with several projects. We have organized a National Trails Day walk around Cedar Lake. This walk will feature Park's Director Dale Todd giving an oral history of Cedar Lake. We are also going to have LCTA information tables manned at the Cedar River and Cedar Valley trails on National Trails Day which is June 5th. Publicity has also been working to come up with a new designer T-shirt. After many differing opinions had been explored, we have settled on a design and hope to have it available by June 5. The publicity committee is also planning to host a work weekend on the Grant Wood Trail. We encourage all of you receiving this newsletter to participate in helping build the area's newest recreational trail. Members of the publicity committee have spent a great deal of time lobbying and informing the Governor and members of the legislature regarding the trails condemnation bill. As of the writing of this article, our chances for success look slim. The committee is studying possibilities for an open house on the Grant Wood Trail as work progresses a bit more.

At the March meeting of the LCTA board, interested equestrians were invited to attend. Due to the snowstorm, and rescheduling, turnout wasn't great, but we did have two members present from the IETC. Following in information about their group:

The Iowa Equestrian Trails Council (EETC) is a state wide organization designed to strengthen communication between equestrians and government officials. IETC is a group of trail advocates concerned with the maintenance of existing trails, development of new trails and promoting goodwill between park staff, workers and other trail users.

IETC was formed in 1989 and is a non-profit organization ran solely on memberships and contributions. EETC encourages all equestrian trail users to practice good sportsmanship, keep our trails clean, follow good trail etiquette,

volunteer your time to keep our trails We and fun, 'and to be an ambassador for the sport of trail riding.

A few of the many accomplishments for IETC are: ï Iowa Equestrian Trails Book

ï Biannual meeting with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Park and Forest Rangers

ï Replacement of Stephens Forest Bridge in 1997 ï Multi-Use Trail Etiquette ]Brochures

ï Helping with the DNR booth at the State Fair-

ï Having a booth every year at Horse Fair in Des Moines ï Bi-monthly newsletters

Yearly membership is $10 and can be sent to Ann Adkins Box 451 Brooklvn, IA 5221 1. For more information please call Ann at 515-522-9467

The ITRA (IA Trail Riders Association), another equestrian trails group, is planning two biking/ horseback riding joint excursions this year. The first is on National Trails Day, June 5th. The pleasure ride will be on the Heart of Iowa Trail, between Slater and Rhoades, and will involve both groups of users.

On July 10-11, they will host a Pleasure/Clean-up Ride on the Brushy Creek Trail, with the local Mountain Bike Group being invited. Contact persons for this group are: Roland Newton (Trails Day Pleasure Ride) @ 515-769-2223, and Frank Keeran (Clean-Up Ride with bikers) @ 515-833-2267.

Excerpted from EQUUS 257 magazine

When mountain bikers and equestrians meet on the trial, the encounter isn't always cordial. Horses tend to spook at bikes, and cyclists grumble about equestrians' lack of consideration. Now an international mountain-biking organization is working to increase understanding between the two groups of trail users.

The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), based in Colorado. has 75,000 members worldwide and a very horse-friendly approach to the trail-sharing dilemma. "We work hard to teach cyclists about the nature of horses, to explain how they act on instinct and in the interest of self-preservation," M4BA Board member Michael Kelley told his audience at the first National Symposium on Horse Trails in Forest Ecosystems, held in South Carolina last October, UVIBA encourages bikers to announce their presence with their voices instead of bells, to ask horseback riders to best way to pass safely, and to carry carrots to offer the horses, with the riders' permission, of course.

Kelley says many local IMBA-affiliated groups go even further to foster good relations by hosting community events that bring cyclists and riders together. One such activity, the "RONT and Stomp" ride in the San Francisco Bay area, is hosted by the Responsible Organized Mountain Peddlers a local IMBA affiliate. The daylong outing gives the two groups a chance to get acquainted in a shared recreational event.

"We usually start by desensitizing the horses to the bikes," says rider and biker Barrie Freeman, who,, with his wife, Kathy. organized the first "RONM and stomp" 10 years ago. "The horses are usually very quick to adapt," he says, "And we set off down the trail together for an 18-mile ride followed by a barbecue." By the end of the ride., he adds, each group has a better appreciation of the other, plus the foundation of a new working relationship for saving trails. "Mountain bikes aren't going away, and neither are horses,," he says. "But if the people who manage trial areas think we can't get along, they aren't going to let anyone on the trails."

Freeman suggests that equestrians in other areas of the country get together with a local INIBA group to organize a bike-desensitization clinic or other joint program. "All it takes to start making changes is for one horseman in a group to contact one bicyclist in a group," he says. To locate an IMBA group near you, contact the association's headquarters at PO Box 7578, Boulder, CO 80306 or call (303) 545-901 1.

$3,000-00

McLeod Charitable Foundation $2,500.00

Greater CR Foundation $2,000.00

Myron F. & Esther S. Wilson $500.00

Hawkeye Bicycle Association $250.00

Mark and Corenne Liabo $200.00

Marilyn Magid

$100.00

Steven Shepard

Walter, Shelby & Courtney Roth Clifford A. Sheds

Dr. Stan & Carol Eilers N4arv Johnston

Dr. Larry Krain

Byron G. & Sylvia G. Riley

N4ary Wilc@,nski & Ralph Plagman

$75.00

Yvonne & Dr. William Davis $50.00

Craig Scott

Robert & Charlette Worley Dr. Dale & Ann Roberson Bob & Deb N4alone Linda Jennings $25.00

Bill & Winifred Shuttleworth David & Julie Perez Kirk & Kim Osborn Rober E. N4ueller

Vincent & Rachel N4ills

N4arilynn & Rober Keller Joyce & Gary Johnson Don Dainstreegt

Fred & Ruth Balster $20.00

C.M. and D.D. Richardson $15.00

Herbert & Irene Eckart

$10.00

John & Ellen Yurko Beth Rigglenian

Ed & Linda Krug

$5.00

David Kreiter Sandra K. Scaia

Bob Rush & Judith Whetstine Trailblazer

Scott Anderson Family Eileen Arnold Individual Walter &- EveINR Badger Family Dean & Janice Barnum Family Gregory Best Family John and Ruth Birnbaum Individual Jolm and Gloria Bolm Family Dave and Martha Booth Family Martin Bruns Family John Bryant Trailblazer Ruie Chehak Individual, Richard and Jeane

CheUowsky Family Keith & Norma Colton Family Gordon & Marilyn Cook Family Steven Cummings Individual Kevin and Norma

I Cutsforth Family Dr. Don Damsteegt Family Maurice Derrick Individual Robert Eckard Individual Herbert & Irene F-ekart Family

Dr. Stan and Carol Eilm Trailblazer Mary Alice Ericson Family Dennis Ferreter Individual Vicki Finkstein Individual Rose Goettsch Family Lois and Marcene Grief Trailblazer Robert and Ethel Hadley Individual Bob & Sheila Hahn Individual Michael and Lisa

Hanigan Family Ed &- Marlene Hayek Family Joyce and Gary Johnson Fan-dly

Mike and Lois

Kabela-Coates Family Art & Joyce Kelsey Family David Kreiter Individual Allen and Dana Liston Family Bob & Deb Malone Family Mr. and Mrs. Thomas

Manor Pamily

Ron Moore Individual Barbara and Edwin

Mumford Family Mark Ogden Trailblazer J H & Ann Pearson Family Ted and Barb Peterson Fanffly Carol and Mio Popp Individual Dr. Dale and Ann Roberson Family Dr.. John and Beth Roof Family George and Jean Ross Family Walter, Shelby and C

ourtney Roth Faniily Dr. John and Julianne

Sawyers Family SanDr.a K Scaia Individual Steve and Nancy Sen-ot Trailblazer Clifford A Sheets Family James Spencer Trailblazer Robert and Ann Swaney Family Roy and Jan Watkins Family

Phil and Laura White Trailblazer Herbert & Joann Wiese Family Dr. Martin and Diane

Wiesenfeld Family Myron F. &

Esther S. Wilson Trailblazer Jan Wiltgen Individual Dr. David and Carol Wolf Family Carol Wolfe Family