Pulling an extension of the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) 17 miles to Coon Rapids, along the route of the American Discovery Trail is a current major focus of Creating Great Places (CGP). The proposed name for the new link is the “Khrushchev in Iowa” trail. CGP is leading trail planning and fundraising efforts for the Guthrie County Supervisors.
The Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) is a 56-mile-long trail running from Waukee through Adel, Redfield, Panora and Yale and ending in Jefferson. A second section, for which fundraising is just concluding, will run from Waukee, to Minburn, Perry, Dawson, Jamaica and connect at Herndon. CGP is working with the RRVT and Guthrie County Conservation to include a new extension, which will carry users from Herndon 17 miles west to Coon Rapids-Whiterock, which will then serve as a major destination for the RRVT system.
A preliminary Coon Rapids to Herndon trail budget has been prepared by Synder and Associates. Appropriation requests were submitted to Senators Harkin, King and Grassley in 2010.
When completed, this trail will be maintained by the Guthrie County Conservation Board and the Guthrie County Supervisors.
It is important that all local trail supporters contact the Iowa delegation, including Senators Harkin and Grassley to urge them to support funding for this $8 million trail. Please send a brief email to their appropriation staffers (e-mails below) urging the Senators to provide federal support for this key trail link.
For Senator Grassley, send e-mails to: sherry.kuntz@grassley.senate.gov
For Senator Harkin, send e-mails to: Zachary_Schechter_Steinberg@harkin.senate.gov
CGP has gotten a lot of support from area towns about the trail. To read about some of this support, click here.