Marshall County supervisors approve bike trail aplication

Thu September 06 2007
Posted Sep 6, 2007
6,572

By TIMES-REPUBLICAN A bike trail connecting two major portions of trails in Marshall County may be one step closer to reality Tuesday, with the board of supervisors approving a grant application to the state. The grant would provide the majority of funding for the three-mile section of trail that would connect the Marshalltown bike trail, with its current terminus at the GrimesFarm Conservation Center, to the trail along Highway 330 to the southwest. If the state approves the grant, it would provide more than $1 million toward the cost of the project. Another approximate $345,000 would come from a local match, with Region 6 enhancement funds making up the remainder of the project, valued at $1.48 million. Much of the discussion during the supervisors meeting consisted of how that local match would be obtained. “[It] will come from public and private sources,” said Marty Wymore, director of Region 6. “We will probably be back in the future with further applications to pick up all or part of that.” All the supervisors voted to approve the grant application, but Supervisor Ron Goecke had some reservations about the amount of money being spent on the project. “One-and-a-half million for a three-mile trail? That would build a nice bridge — maybe three, four, or five bridges,” he said. Given the state of some bridges and roadways in the county, Goecke feels the money could be better spent, he said. “I don’t oppose trails,” he stressed. “I voted for the Marshalltown to GrimesFarm trail connection. I voted against the one out on 330.” Goecke also suggested licensing bikes in the county may be a way to create a funding stream for bike-related projects, such as trails. Sheriff Ted Kamatchus told the supervisors that while licensing could generate some revenue, the program may not be that profitable because of enforcement issues. The sheriff also noted the state grant money is earmarked for recreational or trail uses, meaning those funds would not be available for other projects under any circumstances. Supervisor Pat Brooks noted that while the county may be asked for a contribution at some point, there was no commitment required at this point given the project is not expected to start construction until 2010. “In effect, we have three years to raise that money,” he said. “Having groups step forward to do that would be important to the board.” Several groups came forward saying they would be willing to support such a project, though all said it was too early to provide a specific level of commitment. The local bike club did pledge $12,500 over the course of five years for the extension. In addition to providing local residents with a source of recreation and opportunity for exercise, the trail winding through Marshall County is also part of the American Discovery Trail. That trail is the only continuous bicycle trail linking both coasts, with terminus points in San Francisco, Calif. and Delaware. In the Great Plains and Midwest, the trail branches into two separate routes before reuniting in Ohio. The trail through Iowa is along the northern branch. Contact Ken Black at 641-753-6611 or kblack@ timesrepublican.com