Trail Closings
The Raccoon River Valley Trail will be closed from Redfield to Linden until the spring of 2024. Crews are now replacing bridges and resurfacing the trail with the work expected to be completed early next year.
There is also a stretch of the trail near Waukee, southeast of the T Avenue crossing, that is under repair. A temporary trail is in place to get around the closure. This construction project is due to the future of the Douglas Avenue connection. A box culvert is being constructed under the street for trail users to use until next spring when the box culvert can be completed and the new section of the trail paved. Please be careful when on the detour as there is considerable construction activity taking place.
We apologize for these trail closures and detours, but when the work is completed the RRVT will be even better.
RRVT Apparel
RRVT biking apparel continue to be available for purchase at all metro Bike World locations and Kyle’s bike shop in Waukee. Jerseys are $70, Shorts $85, and Bibs $100. Wearing RRVT gear is another way to support and promote the trail.
Below are pictures of apparel with front and back views.
Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Banquet
The date is set for the annual Raccoon River Valley Trail Association banquet. It will be held Saturday, February 17 at Country Lane Lodge in Adel. 2024 is the 35th anniversary of the Raccoon River Valley trail which provides us the opportunity to take a look back on the creation and development of the trail these past 35 years. Tickets for the banquet will go on sale in December on the trail’s website. More details to follow as the date draws closer but please mark your calendars now.
Trail Permits No Longer Required Starting in 2024
The Raccoon River Trail (RRVT) will no longer require trail permits starting January 1, 2024. This change has been made by the three counties that own the trail, Dallas, Greene and Guthrie. Though the trail permits did provide funding for trail improvements and promotion, it also created barriers to access and confusion for people arriving on the RRVT from other trails. By eliminating the trail permit it aligns the RRVT with other trails in Central Iowa. For large trail events, however, a special trail event permit is still required with the county conservation boards.
The trail permits were an important source of revenue for the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association in order to promote the trail. Next month we will unveil how people can still support the trail.
