Things are progressing in the West Liberty to Conesville segment

According to The West Liberty Index, representatives from West Liberty, Nichols and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation met Thursday, March 6, at the West Liberty City Hall to discuss ways to go about restoring a nearby portion of the Hoover Nature Trail, connecting West Liberty, Nichols and Conesville. The segment they hope to upgrade starts three miles north of Nichols, stops right before Nichols, then picks up again for another four miles south of Nichols.

HNT Improved Near Nichols

According to the West Liberty Index, the Nichols Betterment Committee worked throughout the month of September, weeding, mowing and improving a section of the Hoover Nature Trail, in preparation for a 5K run/walk held on the trail in conjunction with Nichols' annual October Festival on September 28.

If anyone has photos of the improved sections, please send them to me and I will share them on the blog.

Nichols begins restoration efforts on its portion of the HNT

According to the West Liberty Index, Nichols Mayor Cyle Geertz has begun an initiative to restore a long-dormant seven-mile section of the Hoover Nature Trail near the town. The segment, which is owned by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), starts three miles north of Nichols, stops right before town, then picks up again for another four miles south of town.

Mayor Geertz and members of the Nichols Betterment Committee have already done some work to the trail, flattening out much of its gravel foundation and removing weeds.

Future plans for the trail were outlined by Mayor Geertz at a special meeting September 12:

• Reconnect Nichols’ portion of the HNT to West Liberty's portion in the north and Conesville's portion in the south.
• Apply a sealant to the rock, making it less dusty.
• Install cement and educational spots along the path that discuss the history of Nichols and its families.

$32,000 for Trail Development Results From Easement on HNT Between Ely and Solon

According to easterniowagovernment.com, Central Iowa Power Company signed easement papers on Friday for a portion of the HNT between Ely and Solon. The agreement will provide the Johnson County Trail Foundation with $32,000 for trail development.

Cedar Rapids Portion of HNT Receives Trails & Paths Paving Award

The Linn County Conservation Board, Anderson-Bogert Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. and LL Pelling Company received the 2010 “Trails & Paths Paving Award” from the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa for the northern section of the Hoover Trail paving project in Linn County. The northern section of the Hoover Trail connects to the southern tip of the Cedar River Trail (which runs through Cedar Rapids) and extends south from 76th Avenue SW to Wright Brothers Blvd. It is currently open for public use.

Ely-to-CR Connection to be Completed Later This Year

According to an article in The Cedar Rapids Gazette, the Iowa DOT has awarded the bid to finish the HNT link between Ely and Cedar Rapids to Vieth Construction. The 1.08 mile asphalt-paved trail will run from Ely Road in Cedar Rapids to the new Ely City Park. The project is scheduled to be completed later this year (weather-permitting) at a cost of $303,270.

West Liberty City Councilman Cites Connection to Hoover Nature Trail as Top-Five Project for City

In a letter to the editor of the West Liberty Index, current (and possibly outgoing) city councilman Chad Thomas outlined five projects that he would really like to see get done in West Liberty. Two of them relate to recreational trails and the HNT:

• Developing the walking/biking trails identified in West Liberty's comprehensive plan
  
• Getting West Liberty connected to the larger Hoover Nature Trail and connected to the trail system in Iowa City
  

He went on to say "All of these projects are going to require cooperation and input from the City, but when it comes to planning, follow through, and fundraising, I do not believe the City is the best organization to get this done. I can be more effective in advocating for these projects through individual efforts and collaboration with other private and/or non-profit organizations."

Photos of the Hoover Nature Trail on Flickr

More photos of the Hoover Nature Trail, northwest of West Branch.

Photos of the Hoover Nature Trail

Scot Skinner is a photographer who has some really nice photos of the Hoover Nature Trail on his website.

Another (Better?) Interactive Map of the Hoover Nature Trail

I'm not sure who put it together, but this is a pretty good map and guide for anyone who wants to attempt to bike the length of the intermittent Hoover Nature Trail. This resource is along the lines of what I was aiming for with my trail map.

Entire Hoover Nature Trail Now Mapped in Google Earth/Maps

Earlier this year I painstakingly mapped the entire Hoover Nature Trail in Google Earth by simply looking at the satellite imagery. I am just now getting around to posting it here. I started in West Branch, so I ended up with two sections, a north section and a south section. I am not very experienced at Google Earth, KML/KMZ or computer mapping, so I did not know how to link the two sections to create just one continuous trail. If there is someone out there who can "fix" my map or one-up me, please do.

One of the cool things about this exercise is how the route of the former rail line is still fairly evident, even in places where landowners have tried to wipe out any trace of it. If you have Google Earth, you can download my KMZ files, fly over the trail, and see exactly what I am talking about.

Has West Branch Forgotten About the Hoover Nature Trail?

I discovered tonight that the City of West Branch no longer has a page on their website devoted to the Hoover Nature Trail, so I have removed that link to the right. Amazingly, after searching around the city's redesigned website, I can find no mention of the trail at all. Even the map of the city provided as a downloadable PDF just has white space where the trail should be. Makes you wonder how important this resource is to West Branch's leaders.

New West Branch Volksmarch Includes Segment of Hoover Nature Trail

From The Press-Citizen:

The Hawkeye Hikers, an Iowa City-based affiliate of the American Volkssport Association, announced a new Volksmarch walk through West Branch. The 10-kilometer walking route begins in downtown West Branch and includes the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. The route also travels through West Branch's historic commercial district, residential neighborhoods, through the town cemetery, past local churches and along part of the Herbert Hoover Nature Trail. Visitors to West Branch interested in walking the route may pick up directions and a map at Dewey's Jack and Jill grocery store at the corner of Main Street and First Street/Parkside Drive.

For information about Volkssport and Volksmarching, contact Cathy Johnson of the Hawkeye Hikers at 337-5989.

West Branch Times Editorial Makes Trail Suggestions

In a recent West Branch Times editorial, Rob Poggenklass tossed out a few ideas related to cycling and the Hoover Nature Trail:

• How about asking Johnson County to add a bike path to the Herbert Hoover Highway?
• How about connecting the trail from the high school to the Hoover Nature Trail, through the cemetery?

The first suggestion is already in the Johnson County Trails Plan, although I am not certain of its priority or funding. Regarding the second suggestion, I think we are seeing that trail connectivity is important for their use and vitality. I'm not familiar enough with the exact route that Rob was suggesting to make any commentary beyond that.

Map of Land Deeded to Hoover Nature Trail in Johnson County

This map, from the Johnson County Trails Plan, shows which portions of the former railroad right-of-way have been deeded to the Hoover Nature Trail (according to the Johnson County Assessor. As you can see, there are some breaks. For anyone familiar with the history of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, these breaks can be major roadblocks to the successful completion of the trail.

Seeking Members for Johnson County Trails Advisory Committee

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has twelve vacancies on the Johnson County Trails Advisory Committee. Six members will serve a one-year term ending December 31, 2007 and six members will serve two-year terms ending December 31, 2008. Beginning January 1, 2008, members will then serve two-year terms.

County Trails Advisory Committee’s role will be to give advice and recommendations on trail funding priorities, maintenance levels, signage policies, and other trail-related issues.

This person needs to be an eligible elector of Johnson County.

Application form is available available here.

Completed applications must be returned by December 15, 2006.

Terry Dahms Asks Johnson County to Set Aside Money for Hoover Nature Trail

Terry Dahms asked the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to set aside money for the Hoover Nature Trail, in case matching funds can be found. He estimated that it would cost $110,000 to replace the two missing bridges between Solon and Ely. Read the Press-Citizen article here.

Superman ice cream for two pee-wee pedalers.

Trail information center

 

Hart-Montague Bike Trail in Western Michigan

A portion of the trail doubles as an exercise circuit. The same kids that were too tired to pedal any farther has to try out every station!

Trying to make it to the ice cream store...

Here is a look at some of the trail signage and one of the parks that the trail passes by/through.

 

Hart-Montague Bike Trail in Western Michigan

It was a nice, easy ride for a family. The trail is paved.
Much of the trail has a nice tree canopy.

Even our four-year-old enjoyed it (Note: No training wheels!)

One of many fields of asparagus we passed. While we knew that the area was known for its blueberries and apples, we were not aware that it is the asparagus capital of the U.S. In addition to asparagus fields, the trail passes by a number of orchards and fruit farms.