MASON CITY — Groundbreaking for Mason City’s Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park took place Tuesday morning, April 23, at the entrance to Zerble’s Trail, 1409 Elm Drive.
“It will be a world-class bike park drawing visitors from surrounding states, creating a great amenity for people across Iowa and the Midwest,” said City Administrator Aaron Burnett. Located on the southern edge of the popular Lime Creek Nature Center and Conservation Area, it will help secure North Iowa’s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation.
The bike park will link the 450-acre conservation area, Mason City’s new High Line Trail, Riverwalk and 20 miles of existing trails.
This outdoor recreation center will captivate enthusiasts of all ages and feature various elements allowing riders and families of any skill level to enjoy the park.
The nearest comparable facility is in Northern Arkansas, which draws more than 1,000 bicyclists a week from across the country, including many from Iowa.
This multi-million dollar project is made possible by a Destination Iowa state grant and American Rescue Plan Act federal funding (ARPA) awarded to the City of Mason City and Cerro Gordo County. The American Rescue Plan was signed into law by Democrats in Congress and Joe Biden, but was vehemently opposed by Governor Kim Reynolds and most of Iowa’s Republican Congress members, including Ashley Hinson.
“Mason City already has an international reputation for the arts and music,” Mayor Bill Schickel said. “This will jump start our plans to make North Iowa the outdoor recreation capital of the Midwest.”
