September 2024 Trails Talk
TATANKA SKA TRACE RIBBON CUTTING
September 2 was a beautiful day to celebrate the trail connection between Lake Park and Spirit Lake. Several trail enthusiasts enjoyed the ribbon cutting in Lake Park followed by a 23-mile round trip bike ride to Spirit Lake and back. The trail has opened to rave reviews and Lake Park is already seeing a lot of new visitors biking to the community to discover the downtown area and businesses.
Mayor Matt Carstensen shared thoughts on the new trail connection, “As mayor of the city, we have been talking about the trail for long time but did not realize the effect that it would have on our community. The additional bike traffic in town helps to excite the business atmosphere on mainstreet. My wife Lisa and I purchased the coffee/bakery at the top of the hill in Lake Park July 1st. We have renamed our business Rise&Grind Bakery and Kitchen by Carstensen’s. Although we knew the trail opening would add to our business, we did not know what to expect. Because of the added bikers we have had to add additional help on Saturday and Sunday mornings. We are so excited about Lake Park being a new destination for a beautiful ride on the Dickinson County Trails System.”
Completion of the trail represents several years of planning going back nearly 20 years when the DCTB started working on purchasing the abandoned rail line with assistance from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Numerous grants through the State and Federal Recreational Trails programs, Iowa DNR REAP, Okoboji Foundation and Imagine Iowa Great Lakes along with donations from our generous supporters provided funding for construction of the trail. The DCTB is grateful to everyone that helped make this dream a reality.
DCTB & HOPE ROLLS FUNDRAISER
Left: DCTB Executive Director Erin Reed presents a check from the fundraiser to Shanna Clabaugh and Maria Mellman of Hope Rolls.
The DCTB’s fundraising collaboration with Hope Rolls was another big success raising $9,500 for trail development and providing recreational opportunities for people of all abilities. Hope Rolls is a 501(c)3 organization that gifts adaptive tricycles to children who are unable to ride traditional bikes. Their mission is to ensure that every kid of every ability has a bike to ride with their family and friends.
Founding member Maria Mellmann shared more about the organization, “Hope Rolls was founded in 2019 and so far, we have gifted 16 adaptive rides, with 4 more on the docket. We are fully funded by donations within our community and love involving the donors and nominators when gifting a bicycle. Thanks to everyone who has supported us on our venture and be sure to watch for some exciting things to come!” You can follow Hope Rolls Facebook page to keep up with the wonderful work they are doing for kids in our communities.
Thank you to all the businesses that donated prizes for the gift bags, with special recognition going to The Okoboji Cyclist, Natural Family Chiropractic, Bikes Boards & Shades and StayBoji for donating the grand prizes. Congratulations to the winner of the e-bike, Deenna Jensen, we hope you and your family enjoy many rides out on the beautiful trails with your new bike.
UPCOMING TRAIL EVENTS
33rd ANNUAL U OF O OKTOBERFEST BIKE RIDE: Saturday, September 28 – Be sure to register for this fun 18-mile bike ride along the scenic trails and lakeside roads of the Iowa Great Lakes Area. Proceeds from the ride benefit Dickinson County Trails and registration includes food and drink deals throughout the area, drink tickets and a t-shirt. There are optional pit stops along the route and then return to the Arnolds Park greenspace for additional games, activities, live entertainment, food and beer. For registration and event information visit www.uofooktoberfest.com.
As always, Happy Trails to You and Yours.
Erin Reed, Executive Director