MASON CITY — Groundbreaking for the singletrack trail portion of the new Prairie Rock Trails (PRT) will be held Tuesday, April 30 at 10 am just north of the Alternative High School located at 19 North Illinois Avenue. Parking for the event will be in the Alternative High School parking lot.
The PRT Riverhawk Trail is just one of the legs to link the endless miles of the broader regional Prairie Rock Trails system in North Iowa. This groundbreaking signifies the celebration of the construction overview of all single-track mountain biking trails planned to be constructed in our community this year. Considered the soul of mountain biking, the narrower singletrack trails are used in all four seasons primarily for biking, hiking, and snowshoeing.
“This Prairie Rock Trails (PRT) system, when connected to existing and future trails, the bike park, riverwalk and other planned amenities, will serve as an outdoor recreational destination for residents and visitors from around the north Iowa region and the Midwest,” said Council Member John Lee, who represents the 1st Ward where the Riverhawk Trail is being built. Lee is also a High School Government Instructor.
Located on school property, this segment of trail will provide a great opportunity for skills development and programming to the students at the Middle and High School. Additionally, the PRT Riverhawk singletrack will allow for a loop near the river and will serve as the closest trail to several neighborhoods on the east side of Mason City.
An improved pedestrian crossing on Illinois Avenue will connect this trail to the scenic trail on the other side of the Winnebago River (Scrip Road) and other trails as well as the High Line Trail, and future Bike Park and Riverwalk. Whether racing, riding, or relaxing, the PRT system caters to all types of bicycle and recreational enthusiasts.
Scheduled speakers for this groundbreaking celebration include:
*John Lee, City Council member and High School Government Instructor;
*Bridgette Exman, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Mason City Schools;
*Rock Solid Trail Contracting Representative
Also appearing is the Mason City Mountain Bike Team.
This project is made possible by a Destination Iowa state grant and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funding (opposed by Kim Reynolds and Iowa’s GOP Congress members, but passed nonetheless by Democrats and signed by President Biden) awarded to the City of Mason City and Cerro Gordo County.
