September 2024 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter

At Long Last, They Are Connected

The long-anticipated connection between the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) and the High Trestle Trail has marked a significant milestone in Iowa's trail system. This achievement was celebrated on Saturday, August 17, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together community members, local officials, and cycling enthusiasts. The event commemorated the completion of the connector trail, which now links two of Iowa's most popular recreational trails.

Event Highlights

The celebration kicked off with a bike ride from Perry to Woodward led by Luke Hoffman of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.  Over 200 cyclists participated in the inaugural ride along the new connector, which extends the High Trestle Trail from Woodward to Perry.

The official ceremony took place in Bouton, roughly halfway between Perry and Woodward. A large crowd gathered to witness this historic moment, seen by many as a boost to local tourism and a significant achievement for outdoor recreation in Iowa.

Speeches from local dignitaries, including Chuck Offenburger, columnist and long-time bike advocate. underscored the collaboration among local governments, community organizations, and trail advocates that made this project possible. They highlighted the economic and health benefits the expanded trail system is expected to bring to the region, emphasizing its potential to draw visitors from across the nation.

The ribbon-cutting was a festive affair, with Mike Wallace, the recently retired Dallas County Conservation Director and a key figure in securing funding for the extension, performing the honors with oversized scissors, symbolizing the official opening of the connector.

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Impact on the Community

The connection between the RRVT and the High Trestle Trail has long been a goal for trail advocates and local communities. The combined network now offers a continuous 120-mile paved loop, the longest in the country, providing a valuable resource for cyclists, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The trails wind through picturesque rural landscapes, showcasing Iowa's natural beauty.

Local businesses are poised to benefit from the increased traffic, with new opportunities for tourism-related services such as bike rentals, lodging, and dining.

Looking Ahead

The successful completion of the RRVT and High Trestle Trail connection is part of a broader vision to position Iowa as a premier destination for trail-based tourism. Future plans include further expansions and improvements to the state's trail system, ensuring Iowa continues to lead in offering accessible, high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities.

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Economic Impact of Cycling & Trails Study

Scioto Analysis of Ohio is conducting a study to estimate the economic and health impacts of bicycling and trails in Iowa. This study serves as an update to a similar analysis conducted by the University of Northern Iowa in 2012.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is leading this initiative, with support from several organizations, including the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the City of Jefferson, Polk County Conservation, and the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

The study involves gathering data from four key stakeholder groups through surveys:

1. Riders and trail users: Goal: 750 surveys completed

2. Businesses: Goal: 30 surveys completed

3. Organizations, clubs, and associations: Goal 50 surveys completed

4. Local government officials: Goal 30 surveys completed

The surveys are currently underway and are expected to be completed by October. Analysis will follow, with the final report scheduled for release in December, just in time for the Iowa Bicycle Summit in January.

The primary goal of this study is to quantify the economic and health impact of cycling and trails in Iowa. While we believe that both the economic and health benefits are substantial, this study aims to provide the concrete data needed to support that belief.  To help the researchers reach the survey goal with the various stakeholders please take a moment to complete the survey for the study before it closes Oct. 6th

Thank you.

RRVTA Video Production Underway

The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA) has partnered with RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines to produce a video that will highlight the beauty and unique features of the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT). This project aims to attract tourists and cycling enthusiasts from Iowa and beyond, using the power of visual storytelling to encourage more people to visit and explore the area, ultimately benefiting the local economy.

The video will also emphasize the positive impact the trail has on the local community. It will showcase health benefits, community events, and the connections the trail fosters between different towns. Additionally, the video is intended to advocate for continued or increased funding for the RRVT, which is essential for its maintenance and expansion. For example, the recent nine-mile connection between the RRVT and the High Trestle Trail cost over $6 million.  Maintaining and connecting trails is costly, but well worth the investment, we think.

Overall, the video will be a valuable tool to promote, support, and celebrate the RRVT. It is expected to be completed by December and will be used on the website, at public presentations, and in other forums.

Is Youth Cycling a Thing of the Past, or the Wave of the Future?

Article Reprinted from the League of American Bicyclists

We thought that this was an interesting article and wanted to share it with you. It is reprinted from the League of American Bicyclists.

Many experts in the bike movement are sounding the alarm: We have a crisis in youth cycling.

Simply put, the number of kids riding today isn’t just smaller than a generation ago, youth participation in bicycling is actively plummeting. In fact, less than half of kids will ride a bike at all this year.

And while it’s easy to blame technology and screens, in general, for the new sedentary lifestyle of American kids, other outdoor activities are on the rise. Youth participation in baseball is now at its highest level since 2008, thanks to investments years ago in a multi-faceted effort to encourage in-school baseball, build youth leagues, and get bats, balls and gloves in the hands of kids. In the same way, we can build a culture of cycling by introducing kids to cycling in-schools where habits and interests are first manifested.

School participation in cycling is a critical piece of the puzzle, building up youth cycling.

Together, we can create healthier, happier kids and lifelong riders. Here’s how we’ll do it:

• Comprehensive Policy Change: Through our deep experience and expertise in federal advocacy and state policy, we’ll work with advocates and educators to develop funding resources and policies that deliver equitable in-school bicycle education to all students.

• Curriculum Development: Kids deserve the best bicycling education possible, so we’ll put our decades of leadership in bicycling education to work in creating the standard by which children should be educated on bikes.

• Grassroots Action: We’ll build capacity at the local level to promote the school policies and safe street designs critical to ensuring kids have the opportunity to get outside and be active.

With your help, let’s grow a generation of Americans who choose cycling for everyday trips as well as club rides, bikepacking adventures, racing and all the ways that the bike moves us.

To learn about this effort please visit the League of American Bicyclists website.

bikeleague.org

The RRVTA Banquet

We are delighted to announce that the RRVTA Annual Banquet will be held on February 15, 2025 at Country Lane Lodge in Adel. This evening will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the trail and connect with fellow cyclists, and look forward to the exciting year ahead.

Event Details:

• Date: February 15

• Time: 5:00 PM

• Venue: Country Lane Lodge, Adel

We have an evening full of great food, entertainment, guest speakers, and silent and live auctions. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Trail Closure Notice

Please be advised that the RRVT currently has one closure in effect. The closure is at the “Lighted Bridge” in Adel, where work began in July. The project is anticipated to be completed by mid-October. Unfortunately, there is no detour option available for this closure.

We apologize for the inconvenience, particularly for those planning to do “The Loop,” but please understand that trail maintenance is essential to keeping the RRVT in excellent condition. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work to improve our trail system.

Thank you for your continued support!

Support the RRVTA

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA) relies on the support of many individuals and organizations to promote and enhance our historic and Hall of Fame trail for enjoyment by local and nationwide trail enthusiasts.

We hope that you will join other supporters by considering a donation to the historic trail so that we can continue sharing this unique opportunity throughout the state and the country. Your support helps attract trail users who generate business for the communities along the trail and the state of Iowa.

The RRVTA is an all-volunteer operated organization, and we are thankful for your consideration of joining us to continue improving the trail experience for its local and national users!

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