The Main Street Committee of Coon Rapids is working to raise funding for the resurfacing of Riverside Trail.
In 2018, Coon Rapids went through a community visioning process called Iowa Living Roadway Program with Trees Forever. From the process, the community identified four priority projects. Initially, the Main Street Committee planned to join the two separate paths of the trail to create a continuous loop.
Coon Rapids Main Street Executive Director Katie Mason said plans changed after receiving further community feedback. The committee ultimately decided resurfacing the trail was the greater priority.
“Trails, in general, add a great quality of life aspect for all communities, but once you have them, you have to maintain them,” Mason said.
Mason said the trail is old and currently has cracks and potholes, an inconvenience for cyclists, baby strollers and other path-users. The city will work with JEO Consulting out of Carroll on the project.
The 1.8-mile segment is only a piece of the 3½-mile trail in Coon Rapids. The trail system as a whole connects to White Rock Conservancy, which has more than 40 miles of trails.