MASON CITY – The Union Pacific railroad will be honored during a reception this month in Des Moines for donating land for Mason City’s High Line Trail.
Union Pacific Railroad donated a portion of the value of 1.8 miles of former railroad corridor in Mason City to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The corridor is scheduled to become part of the city’s High Line Trail, an eight-mile, partially elevated multi-use trail through the heart of the city. The trail is part of a larger regional trails plan that will connect Mason City residents and visitors to areas of interest and activity around the city, as well as nearby parks and natural areas, including Lime Creek Conservation Area and Nature Center.
More than 3,800 acres of Iowa land in 24 counties with an estimated value of nearly $4.8 million was permanently protected through donations for conservation.
The donors associated with over 30 donations of land or land value will be recognized during a ceremony on March 25, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in the 1st floor rotunda, at the State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is scheduled to attend.
5 thoughts on “Union Pacific to be honored during reception in Des Moines for donating land for Mason City’s High Line Trail”
I guess the property owners needed to raise a stink like the Asbury and surrounding area did years ago to keep a trail out of their neighborhood.
They already are, but the city pays no attention to what taxpayers want. They are going to spend taxpayer money on something 99% of the taxpayers will never use.
The land wasn’t “donated”. The Iowa Constitution states that when a rail line is abandoned as in no longer used for the purpose as a rail line it reverts back to the adjoining property owners. The Federal “Rails to Trails “ program under the guise of that they may need this rail line in the future ignores this law and steals it from the adjoining property owners. So instead of thanking the Union Pacific you should be thanking the property owners whose property was stolen from them with no input. Do they really think that this line will be used again? Especially with the other Union Pacific line 1/4 mile away from it north of town
Thanks Union Pacific for the land donation. The donation makes the trail possible.
The High Line is a potential draw IF city planners do it right. That means applying for as many grants as they can.
Currently the city plans to lay down gravel paths. While that may be good for walkers and people with mountain bikes, it will not be appropriate for runners or those with normal bikes.
And gravel paths have to be maintained at least twice a year (leveling, replacing washed out sections, and weed control). With paved paths, the cost to maintain the trail is much less (according to other communities).
The record for Mason City in funding Parks is dismal as it is. If you add more area to maintain, the available budget will not provide enough funds, and it will fall to waste as other areas of the City.