MASON CITY – Construction will begin this fall on a bicycle and pedestrian trail from Mason City to Belmond.
The Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board (CGCCB) will begin development of the Prairie Land recreational trail this fall. The Prairie Land trail is a rails to trails right of way corridor running from Mason City to Meservey in Cerro Gordo County and continuing to Belmond in Wright County. There is approximately 20 miles of trial in Cerro Gordo County and another 6 miles to Belmond.
The development of the biking and hiking trail will begin with a 6 mile segment from 240th Street, located on the southwest corner of Mason City, to 190th Street, located southwest of Burchinal. The trail development will involve leveling and shaping the existing trail bed, building up the surface with a gravel sub-base and then adding a layer of crushed limestone for the finished surface. There is also a bridge within that trail section that will need to be refurbished to allow for safe passage of bicycle and foot traffic.
Development of the trail is scheduled to begin in mid-August and be completed by the end of September. Upon completion of the trail surface and installation of all signage the north 6 miles of trail will be available for biking and hiking.
The development of the trail is being funded by grants. Grant sources include a Transportation Alternative Program, Wellmark Foundation and Cerro Gordo County Public Health.
As a firm believer in Mason City with all it’s potential it is certainty that the future will be most favorable. As a matter of fact doom and gloom will give way to unmatched prosperity down the road. A county seat with vision for future takes time. And patience. “All Aboard”… lol
HOW ABOUT COMPLETING THE BARRICADED BIKE TRAIL ON SO TAFT…… IT’S BEEN BARRICADED FOR 2 SUMMERS, UNUSABLE ! East side of So Taft at Skyview Lane to the RR crossing…..taxpayers are funding the bike trail to ‘no-where’ …..and already planning a new trail to Belmond. WTH?
N.I.T…..there’s a story here that deserves investigating…..Globe will not be investigating this story nor will KIMT. City admin has some lame excuse why it has been barricaded for over 2 years. Sounds like poor planning…..wasting TAX PAYER DOLLARS AGAIN !
Wow! Our own little raggy baggy.
After spending millions of dollars on bike trails around here, the real trick is convincing these two wheeled bone heads to get off the roads and stay on their trails. “Share the road” is bullsh*t. Bicycles do not have the ability to keep up with traffic, they don’t have proper lighting, and they are not registered (pay taxes)to be on roadways intended for motor vehicles.
I agree
SWEET! That will make my husband, daughter, and I happy campers. We Love the trails around here.
So how much of the cost are the bicyclists contributing? Any? How about the bicyclists donate some time to this project?
What a seriously stupid comment.
I think that person has a point. Why doesn’t the local bicyclists donate their time for some of the necessary work that has to be done. There are certain to be parts of the project that they could do to save the taxpayers a few dollars. Or is John one of those “privileged” bicyclists that expects everyone else to cater to projects specifically for them and cover the cost of their hobby without ever giving anything back?
Your right. What a stupid comment. It is being funded by grants!! Oh and where do you think grants come from….. taxpayers!!! Licensing a car is supposed to help pay for roads so why not a tax for the bicyclists to help pay for their trail.
yes there are local snowmobile clubs, fishing clubs, and hockey clubs that will have fundraisers and events to support their hobbies, but the those bicyclists think they are privileged. They expect the government to rob funds from other government accounts to pay for their hobbies. And then they blatantly flaunt the taxpaying motorists by refusing to follow the rules of road
Is this the same trail that goes behind all of the north pennsylvania homes? I have a property over there that I was speaking to brent trout about purchasing the unused land from the city. The company that owns the northern section of the rails going out of mason city is backtrack inc. A lot of the people over there will be losing tree cover so the path can go through their backyards. Ive been personally cleaning up my area, with the help of the surrounding neighbors. Hopefully since brent is leaving, the new individual in charge will hold to the same agreement.
No, this trail starts in the southwest corner of town and runs south. None of it is in Mason City. However, it will connect to the Trolley Trail which will connect to the High Line Trail which is the trail that will run within the railroad right-of-way behind the houses on N. Penn.
Amazing! Someone who is well informed, articulate and factual. Thank you.
That eliminates LVS.
The High Line trail is years away. The property first has to be formally abandoned with the Surface Transportation Board, then purchased by a local entity. I have seen those negotiations go on for years before the first shovel is turned.
Good
The co-op in Thornton, uses the trail to drive semis and ag equipment on.
now if we can get them to fix the roads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!