A popular walking trail in Emmetsburg just a got a bit of an upgrade.

On Sunday morning, dozens of people came out to see the brand new bridge on the Five Island Trail (FIT). Organizers say it’s the only covered bridge in all of northwest Iowa.

“It’s been fantastic because it goes clear from our community center in Emmetsburg right out into the rural countryside to Palo Alto, and it just really has been awesome for families and the community,” said Bruce Nelson, Emmetsburg resident.

“It’s a great place for people to exercise to get out of their homes to do things, a safe place for kids to learn how to ride bicycles. If somebody has a knee or leg injury, it’s a flat surface. It’s just a great place to be out,” said Steven Hoinan, the president of the FIT Committee.

The new covered bridge is one of many phases the FIT committee has been working on to eventually create a full trail around the lake.

“It’s a slow process, but we are at it as fast as we can,” said Hoinan.

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The president of the FIT committee says they have more than 8 miles of trail at this point and more people are coming out to use it.

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MidAmerican also helped to fund the bridge project, and the architect says it’s the first covered bridge he has ever designed.