Volunteer
LCTA Trail Volunteers: The Heart of Advocacy
At LCTA, we're not just about raising funds - we're about raising awareness, advocating for trails, and getting things done. Here are a few of the key milestones we've worked on together:
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Advocated for the Cedar River Trail in Cedar Rapids in the 1990's.
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Purchased the Grant Wood Trail corridor in Linn County (1997), which was later gifted to Linn County Conservation.
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Fought for the CeMar Trail to connect Cedar Rapids and Marion.
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Purchased the Lindale Trail Corridor in 2010, which became part of the Grant Wood Trail.
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Led efforts to preserve the Interurban Corridor Trail from Cedar Rapids to Mt Vernon in 2022.
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Served on the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, securing federal funding for trail development in our area.
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We're continuously collaborating with city and county planners to help shape the future of trails, bike lanes, and crossings.
How LCTA Volunteers Keep Trails Thriving
Fundraising
We ask businesses and individuals for donations, write grants, and keep the funds flowing directly into trail development. More than 90% of your donation goes directly to trails.
Social Media & Newsletters
We keep 4,500 Facebook followers updated and send out 12 monthly newsletters to 2,500 email subscribers.
Events
You'll find us at community events like the Downtown Farmers Market (with bike parking), Ecofest, Bike to Work day, and more.
Trail Guides
We publish the Metro Area Trails Guide in partnership with CMPO, offering a free resource to the public.
Annual Report & Newsletters
We produce these to keep you informed and show how your support is making a real impact.
Trail Data
We monitor 14 trail counters to collect important data, which helps us plan for future trails.
Community Engagement
We partner with other local organizations to spread the word about trails and encourage their use.
Community
Outreach
Out volunteers give talks at service clubs, attend bike fairs and parades, and sponsor trail cleanups.
Trail Infrastructure
We build and maintain map boxes, kiosks, and other trail-related resources to keep everyone informed and safe.