This article first appeared in INHF's Summer 2008 magazine.
INHF map |
 |
Map of the Rolling Prairie Trail, which will now link Coulter to Shell Rock. |
Things are rolling again on the Rolling Prairie Trail! In August, Union Pacific Railroad sold a 31-mile corridor to INHF, providing the project’s first major donation by selling well below appraised value. INHF will transfer ownership to the Franklin and Butler County Conservation Boards when they’ve gathered sufficient funds. The Iowa Trails Council has also assisted with the project. Learn more.
Linking Coulter to Allison, the segment is a major addition to the Rolling Prairie Trail. The existing trail links Allison and Shell Rock. The completed trail will also connect Heery Woods State Park and Beeds Lake State Park. Other towns along the full route include Hampton, Dumont and Clarksville.
The counties have already raised significant funding from State and Regional Transportation Enhancement Grants, the Iowa Department of Transportation and pledged private contributions. Once they’ve purchased the corridor, the counties will continue to raise construction funds.
Though the finished trail is still several years in the future, partners are celebrating this important early milestone. We thank the Franklin and Butler county conservation boards and the Iowa Trails Council for their assistance with this project.
For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.