December 2025 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter

Now Accepting Nominations:

RRVTA Trail Champion Award

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the Raccoon River Valley Trail?

Since the first segment of the trail opened in 1989, countless people have helped transform the RRVT into one of Iowa’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation. The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA), now celebrating 20 years of volunteer-led support, is honoring those trailblazers who have made a lasting difference.

The Trail Champion Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, volunteer service, advocacy, or vision have significantly shaped the trail’s success. A Trail Champion might be someone who has:

• Played a key role in trail development or expansion

• Worked to preserve rail corridors and secure rail-banking agreements

• Strengthened the trail’s connections between communities

• Supported long-term maintenance, amenities, and user experience

• Promoted the trail through marketing, storytelling, or community-building

• Led or inspired volunteer efforts that enhance the trail

• Championed public funding, partnerships, or statewide support for trails

If you know someone who has gone above and beyond for the Raccoon River Valley Trail — past or present — we want to hear about them.

Submit a nomination and help us celebrate those who keep the RRVT moving forward.

Important eligibility note: Current members of the RRVTA Board of Directors, current members of the Guthrie, Greene, or Dallas County Conservation Boards, and current employees of those conservation departments are not eligible.

Nomination Deadline:  February 1, 2026

Let’s honor the people who make our trail special.

> CLICK HERE to Nominate a RRVTA TRAIL CHAMPION Today!

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PURCHASE RRVT APPAREL

100% of proceeds support RRVT

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RRVTA Banquet Set for April 11 in Adel

Save the date! The RRVTA’s 2026 Banquet is set for Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Country Lane Lodge in Adel. Join trai00l friends, partners, and supporters for an evening celebrating the people and projects that keep the Raccoon River Valley Trail thriving.

Ticket and table details will be announced soon. Mark your calendar now—we can’t wait to see you on April 11 in Adel!

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Raccoon River Valley Trail User Survey - Deadline December 31!

More than 160 trail users have already shared their feedback — have you?

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is collecting input to help guide future improvements, amenities, and user experiences on the RRVT. Whether you ride every day or only visit once in a while, your voice matters.

The survey takes just a few minutes, and responses are open through December 31, 2025.

Help us make the trail even better for the next generation of cyclists, runners, and walkers.

TAKE THE SURVEY

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Adel Lighted Bridge Update - December 2025

Written by Curt Cable of Dallas County Conservation

On December 9, 2025, the Dallas County Board of Supervisors reviewed bids for the reconstruction of the Adel Lighted Bridge on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. The Board accepted the low bid from RW Excavating Solutions, LC, in the amount of $598,266, which came in 13% below the engineer’s estimate for probable construction costs.

Originally, the goal was to have the bridge completed by early June. Unfortunately, the bridge fabricators could not meet that timeline, so the project completion date has been moved to August 7, 2026. While several variables could still affect progress, the County opted for a firm completion date rather than a “working days” schedule to provide a clear deadline for the contractor. Some factors, such as weather and material availability, remain beyond our control, but the team is committed to moving forward as efficiently as possible.

I would also like to sincerely thank the leadership of the Dallas County Board of Supervisors and the Dallas County Conservation Board for their continued support and guidance throughout this process.

I am pleased to share that fundraising efforts have surpassed expectations. Thanks to the generous support of the RRVTA, the Adel Partners Chamber, and many individuals and organizations, we exceeded our $100,000 goal by the end of October, raising more than $114,000 to date, with donations still coming in.

If you would still like to contribute, you can visit our website: Dallas County Conservation Foundation, scan the QR code below, or send a check to:

Dallas County Conservation Foundation

14581 K Avenue

Perry, IA 50220

It’s not too late to have your name included on the donor recognition board, which will be installed near the bridge once construction is complete. Plans are also underway to host a community celebration when the bridge reopens, so stay tuned for details.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this important project.

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Why Trail Maintenance Costs What It Does

Each month, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association shares a feature article that digs into a different side of cycling — from the history that built our trail system to the innovations that keep riders safe and inspired.

This month, we’re taking a closer look at trail maintenance: what it really takes to keep the Raccoon River Valley Trail in good shape, what drives those costs, and why ongoing community support is so important.

1. Concrete Reconstruction: The Biggest Investment

The RRVT is primarily a concrete trail, and moving forward, all resurfacing and reconstruction will use concrete or cement, not asphalt. Concrete lasts longer — often 25–30 years — but it comes with significantly higher costs and more complex logistics.

What makes concrete reconstruction expensive?

• Material costs: Concrete is substantially more expensive than asphalt, and prices continue to rise.

• Precision work: Concrete panels require controlled pours, curing time, and specialized equipment.

• Hauling: Concrete must be transported into rural sections of the trail that lack direct road access.

• Length: A single mile of concrete reconstruction can cost $150,000–$250,000, meaning long segments quickly become major capital projects.

This is why the upcoming RRVT resurfacing between Yale and Winkleman Switch is such a significant investment — and so essential for long-term safety and ride quality.

2. Bridge Repair & Replacement

The RRVT includes dozens of bridges and culverts, many of them original railroad structures. Age, storms, and freeze–thaw cycles create ongoing repair needs.

Costs often include:

• Engineering and inspection

• Concrete deck replacement

• Structural reinforcement

• Safety rail upgrades

Repairs that appear simple to trail users often fall in the $50,000–$200,000 range. Full bridge replacements routinely exceed $1 million once engineering, materials, and environmental requirements are factored in.

3. Drainage & Erosion Control

Water is the number-one enemy of concrete trails. When drainage fails, water undermines the base, heaves concrete panels, and creates hazardous edge drop-offs.

Common maintenance needs include:

• Rebuilding culverts

• Cleaning or reshaping ditches

• Fixing washouts after heavy storms

• Addressing soft spots beneath concrete panels

• Restoring shoulders to prevent cracking and separation

Some fixes cost only a few thousand dollars. Others — especially culvert replacements — can run $30,000–$80,000 per location, depending on size and access.

4. Vegetation, Trees & Safety Clearing

The RRVT’s beautiful canopy and rural landscape bring constant maintenance challenges:

• Removing downed or storm-damaged trees

• Cutting back brush for improved visibility

• Managing invasive species

• Keeping sightlines open at road crossings

• Preventing root systems from lifting concrete panels

Tree clearing alone can range from $500 to $5,000 per incident, depending on equipment and complexity.

5. Routine Operations (The Costs That Never Go Away)

Behind the scenes, conservation teams in Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene counties manage the everyday maintenance that trail users rarely see:

• Mowing miles of shoulders

• Seasonal signage and pavement markings

• Patching or replacing damaged concrete panels

• Trash removal and restroom upkeep

• Winter tree, fence, and shoulder repairs

• Equipment fuel and maintenance

• Staff time, training, and benefits

Across three counties, these annual operational costs routinely reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

6. No Dedicated Funding Stream in Iowa

One of the biggest challenges for long-term trail maintenance in Iowa is that the state has no dedicated funding source for paved trail upkeep. While Iowa has strong programs that support trail construction — such as the State Recreational Trails (SRT) Program — there is no equivalent fund for routine maintenance, reconstruction, or long-term repair. Once a trail is built, counties are largely on their own to maintain it.

To keep trails like the RRVT safe and ride-ready, counties must piece together funding from a patchwork of sources:

• Competitive grants (SRT, TAP, federal programs)

• General county conservation budgets

• Local partnerships and city contributions

• Private donations and nonprofit support

• Occasional legislative appropriations that vary year to year

Grants are highly competitive, require matching dollars, and rarely cover the full cost of major repairs. Counties must constantly balance everyday maintenance with large capital needs across dozens of miles of trail and parkland.

7. Creating Dedicated Funding Tools for Iowa Trails

Because Iowa lacks a permanent statewide funding stream for trail upkeep, one solution is the creation of a Trail Checkoff — a voluntary donation line on Iowa state income tax forms, separate from the Chickadee Checkoff. Establishing a new checkoff requires formal approval by the Iowa Legislature, along with a designated fund to receive and distribute the dollars. Based on the performance of similar checkoff programs, a Trail Checkoff could generate $150,000–$250,000 per year, providing a steady, statewide source of support for paved trail maintenance.

Another promising tool is a trail-themed specialty license plate for Iowa vehicles. Specialty plates require legislative authorization and a dedicated fund to receive the annual fees. Participation in other Iowa specialty plates suggests that a trail plate could generate $200,000–$500,000 annually through initial registrations and yearly renewals. These funds could help counties cover high-cost needs like culvert replacements, concrete panel repair, or storm cleanup — expenses that currently rely heavily on local budgets and competitive grants.

Exploring these tools would give Iowans simple, voluntary ways to support the long-term health of trails like the RRVT.

Why Your Support Matters

Maintaining an 89-mile paved trail is a major responsibility — one carried out year-round by the three county conservation boards who care for the RRVT. Community support — through events, volunteer efforts, and project-specific fundraising — helps make enhancements and major improvements possible and keeps the Raccoon River Valley Trail one of Iowa’s most cherished outdoor destinations.