The City of Madrid along with partner group Friends of the High Trestle Trail-Madrid has been awarded a grant of $75,000 from Resource Enhancement and Protection, commonly referred to as REAP.

REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect the Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. 15% of REAP is set aside for grants to cities/20% is set aside for county conservation boards for projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management.

The grant money will be used for the Bird Friendly Dalander Park Project. The project includes a path along the west edge of the Dalander Park Prairie connecting it with a Boxtown Historical Marker being constructed by the Madrid Historical Society. It will also include educational areas and interpretive signs. The project is to be completed in the next 2 years. The project was developed by Professor Julia Badenhope of ISU Landscape Architecture and her team.

This will benefit the community by adding an accessible walking area and providing a way for both area residents and visitors to view wildlife and see the prairie up close. The path through the prairie will also provide a walkable connection to the “Boxtown” residential area.

The Friends of the High Trestle Trail-Madrid has worked with the City of Madrid and other community groups on many projects since the High Trestle Trail was still a railroad corridor, including trail cleanups, establishment of the Johnson Family Trailhead at Dalander Park, the Third Street, Fourth Street and Main Street Trail Entrances, trail signage including the trailhead entrance sign created by Kathy Kalmoe and Rollie Berg, and many more trail and park-related activities. Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to contact Dave Johnson at boonecountytrailfriends@gmail.com or attend one of the Friends meetings, usually the second Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm at the SAM Center in Madrid.