March 2025 Trails Talk

A TRAIL BENCH STORY

Marcy Toews shares the story behind a bench the family recently purchased in honor of her dad and his love of nature.

“Enjoy the beauty of an ordinary day…” was a favorite saying of Ed Purdy’s. When someone was experiencing stress or having a bad day, this was Ed’s way of reminding people to look at how lucky each of us is on any “ordinary” day.

It was also one of the last things he said as he waited in the ER at Lakes Regional Healthcare to be life-flighted to Sioux Falls after an unexpected heart attack. He looked at his family with fear in his eyes, but also a mirthful half smile as he reflected on how much he wished this day was just another “ordinary” day. Although Ed survived the flight to Sioux Falls as well as two surgeries to try to save his life, he passed away at the heart hospital in Sioux Falls on Christmas Eve 2023 at the age of 83.

Ed always loved nature. From hunting with his dogs throughout the years, to biking, to hiking at Marble Lake, being outside and enjoying our beautiful lakes, parks, and trails was where he wanted to be. He shared that love of nature with his family: wife Jan and daughter Marcy; as well as his son-in-law, Mark; and the joy of his life, his grandson, Carter. One of his favorite places to walk with Carter was Henderson Woods. They enjoyed “mulberry walks” and just experiencing the beauty of this trail. This picture was taken at Henderson Woods when Carter was three years old. The caption handwritten on the back says, “Carter, I love your curiosity to see what is around the next bend…Your Grandpa Ed.”

Ed chose not to have a cemetery plot or a headstone and chose instead for a simpler plan in his mind: to be one with nature. We loved that plan, but it also left his loved ones without a place to go to visit and remember him. After a conversation with someone who had gotten a bench for her dad, it seemed like the perfect plan. And we knew just the spot, Henderson Woods. We had not only walked countless times there, but Ed and Jan also had a place at Pelican Ridge for a while. So, after speaking with Erin Reed, we took a walk and found the perfect spot and the perfect message to anyone who happens to walk by the bench: “Enjoy the beauty of an ordinary day.”

So many people pass by the bench and send pictures to Ed’s family. Knowing that the bench is there, that other people are remembering Ed, and that his family will have a place to visit and remember him for years to come made this the perfect choice.

The trail bench program continues to grow and be a cherished opportunity to honor loved ones and friends.  The program also helps raise funds for development and provides the trails with rest areas.  If you are interested in a new bench to honor someone in your life, please visit the DCTB website for more information and the Bench Program form.

Every bench has a special story so the DCTB will continue featuring them through Trails Talk to celebrate the stories of families and friends that are being honored through a bench donation.

5 COUNTIES MEET FOR TRAIL PROGRESS

A group of avid trail supporters from Buena Vista, Carroll, Clay, Dickinson and Sac counties gathered in Storm Lake to discuss the completion of the Iowa Great Lakes Connection 5-County Trail. The last time this group met was in 2013 when the discussion began to find a way to connect these five counties in northwest Iowa to the Racoon River Valley Trail, in Jefferson. When complete, this 220(+) mile paved trail will extend from Okoboji to Des Moines. It was a great opportunity to collaborate and discuss plans for getting all the counties connected through outdoor recreation. Stay tuned for more information as the group develops strategies to move forward with this trail of statewide significance.

UPCOMING TRAIL EVENTS

CELEBRATE TRAILS DAY: Saturday, April 26 – Join the DCTB, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and people all across the country in celebrating America’s amazing trails this spring.  Celebrate Trails Day is more than a day outside. It is an opportunity to enjoy your local trails while sharing appreciation for the ways that trails make an impact on our lives and communities. Be sure to check out Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s website to learn more about how you can Celebrate Trails and win great prizes.

 

 

NEVER ALONE, A WALK TO END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS: Saturday, May 3 – Join Emmet and Dickinson County Veterans Affairs for a meaningful event at Maser Monarch Lodge to support our veterans in need. The event starts at 8:00AM with breakfast and a silent auction. The 2.22-mile walk to support our heroes begins at 9:00AM. All proceeds will go towards ending veteran homelessness in Northwest Iowa. Visit the Event Page for more information and registration for this great event.

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