Photo By James Finn | Rock Island District Commander, Col. Steve Sattinger, Project Manager, Jim Homann, and...... read more read more
Rock Island District Commander, Col. Steve Sattinger, and Fort Dodge Mayor, Matt Bemrich, ceremoniously cut a ribbon on the Fort Dodge Greenbelt Trails project, May 18, marking completion of the $7.8 million cost-shared effort. The project, which was completed in two stages, added nearly three miles of multipurpose trails to the city’s riverfront along the Des Moines River and increased river access facilities for recreational users.
Prior to cutting the ribbon, Mayor Bemrich expressed his appreciation for federal support to the project and spoke about what the new development means to his community.
“These trails create a modern transportation system connecting neighborhoods, people, business and industry, and nature,” said Bemrich. “It’s really something that creates quality of life that’s important to our community.”
Stage one of the project was constructed from 2012 to 2014 and included construction of three parking areas, kayak portages, a concrete boat ramp, and several 10-foot-wide asphalt multipurpose trails including the Main Trail, Sunkissed Meadows Trail and the North Trail Extension. Stage two was later built, between 2018 and 2020, and added a stream crossing, several retaining walls, two short access trails, and another 5,315 feet to the Main Trail.
“The primary goal of the Fort Dodge Trails Project was to improve existing recreational opportunities and connectivity along the city’s riverfront by addressing the needs of a variety of users, including anglers, canoeists, kayakers, bicyclists, walkers, and runners,” said project manager, Jim Homann. “I’m thrilled that we were able to provide this new recreational space for the city of Fort Dodge and to have another completed addition to the Des Moines River Greenbelt Trail system.”
The Fort Dodge Trails Project was constructed as part of the Des Moines Recreational River and Greenbelt Program, which was authorized by Congress in 1985 to provide recreation, streambank stabilization, and environmental enhancement along the Des Moines, Boone, and Raccoon rivers. The program covers more than 410,000 acres from Fort Dodge to the Lake Red Rock Dam near Pella, Iowa.
For a closer look and a ride-through view of the new Fort Dodge Trail, check out the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uquE0NNZXkU
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.06.2021 12:26 |
| Story ID: | 400235 |
| Location: | ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ceremony Marks Completion of Recreational Trails Project in Fort Dodge, Iowa, by Kelcy Hanson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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