January Trails Talk

GRANT AWARDED FOR
CONNECTION TO CLAY COUNTY

The Iowa Transportation Commission awarded the DCTB $285,690 in Federal Recreational Trails funding for Phase I of the Clay County Connection on January 13. The trail will start at the south end of Milford and be the first segment on the way to connect with the Clay County recreational trails. Overall, the project will be part of the  Iowa Great Lakes Connection, a trail of statewide significance that will link several lakes in northwest Iowa. Plans for the trail include connecting several existing shared-use paths in four counties for a total of 135 miles.  The Dickinson County Trails Board and Clay County Trails Association are excited to continue the growth of recreational opportunities and promote bicycle tourism in both counties.

POLARIS FOUNDATION GRANTS SNOWMOBILE

We are fortunate to have great cross country skiing trails in the Iowa Great Lakes to enjoy in the winter months. Groomed trails are available at Brooks Golf Course up to the Dickinson County Nature Center and at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area. These trails are possible thanks to local volunteers Bob Waters, Eric Hoien and Finley Hoien along with support from the DCTB and donations of equipment. After many years of service, the snowmobile at Kettleson Hogsback was nearing the end of its useful life so we started a fundraising campaign and applied for a grant through the Polaris Foundation. We were notified in January that the grant was approved and we will be receiving a new Titan XC 155 as a donation from the foundation.  Additional contributions of money are being reserved for a cross country trails maintenance fund and the DCTB will continue to provide updates on snow and trail conditions on our Facebook page. Thank you to the Polaris Foundation and donors for supporting our work as well as the volunteers that provide us with superior cross country trails to enjoy during the snowy season.

 

FRIENDS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

The DCTB continues to seek donations for key projects planned for this year that include connecting Tatanka Ska Trace to the West Okoboji Trail in addition to expanding the rail trail another mile west to Montgomery. Other significant plans include new railing and lighting for the trestle bridge between East and West Okoboji Lakes and construction of a trailhead that includes restrooms and trail friendly amenities at the junction of Tatanka Ska Trace and the Spine Trail in Spirit Lake. Please consider making a donation to Friends of the Trails. Your gift will enable us to enhance the quality of life in the Iowa Great Lakes while making a substantial contribution to the area’s health and economy. You can find more information about these great projects and donate to the trails at our website www.dickinsoncountytrails.com. We truly appreciate the community’s support in the work we do to grow and improve the trails system.

As always, Happy Trails to You and Yours.
Erin Reed, Executive Director