MASON CITY—A grand opening and ribbon cutting for an extensive singletrack network of Mason City’s Prairie Rock Trails (PRT) is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, October 17, at Evan’s Preserve, just north of Birch Drive (east of the railroad tracks at 1202 Birch Drive). Feel free to ride your bike to this event and give the newly opened trails a test ride! Vehicle parking available at Grace Church, 440 N. Illinois Avenue for a short stroll to the ribbon cutting site. The public is invited to attend.
Singletrack trails are the gold standard of the fast-growing sport of mountain biking. In addition to Evan’s Preserve, the PRT singletrack network features new trails in the Lime Creek Conservation Area along with the Riverhawk and the Rapids on the banks of the Winnebago River.
The PRT Singletrack Trail system is part of a massive trail and outdoor recreation expansion that will connect Mason City residents, visitors and bicycle enthusiasts to areas of interest and activities around the city as well as nearby parks and natural areas.
This system also links more than 20 miles of trails and 600 acres of parks. It will include a bike park at the 12th Street NE entrance to the Lime Creek Conservation Area and the Mason City Riverwalk, both opening next spring.
“It is the beginning of a new era. These world class facilities make Mason City a premier destination for outdoor recreation,” Mayor Bill Schickel said. “We owe a big debt of gratitude to the many, many people in our community who have stepped forward to make this dream come alive.”
The ribbon cutting will feature bike riding students from John Adams Middle School known as the Adams Ambassadors. They will inaugurate the trail by ‘breaking through’ the ribbon on bicycles.
Remarks will be by: Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel; Mason City Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Bridgett Exman Dunn; Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Tourism Liaison Lora Friest; and Iowa Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Luke Hoffman.
This project is made possible in part by a $4.5 million Destination Iowa Grant from the state and federal government.
Rain date for the event is Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the same location.