Economic Impacts and Benefits to Tourism

• Recreation and variety of recreation is fundamental in retaining industry and enhancing growth for new industry. Retaining industry is essential to providing opportunities to young people in our area.
• If Iowa is to retain and attract young people to the state, it needs forms of family recreation. Trails are certainly one of these.
• Enhancement of tourism in the area and traffic flow generated.
• Biking/walking events can be scheduled — as the sponsored walks in state parks.
• Colorado has riding areas almost everywhere you go. Why can’t we?
• Paved trails draw repeat bicycle riders. Economic development along trails is proven fact in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc.
• Keep Iowa $$ in Iowa.
• Need motorized trails in Iowa. Don’t want to travel out of state to ride ATV.
• Need to look at the monies spent by snowmobile and ATVs in Minnesota and Wisconsin vs. bicyclists and snow skiers. Sit along the interstate in Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. and see how many vehicles are from Iowa pulling ATVs and snowmobiles. A lot of lost revenue to Iowa communities.
• Since there are so few motorized trails here, people are very negative about the positive impact–$$, family time and recreation. In Wisconsin where we spend much time and money, we are very welcomed and appreciated.
• Tourism.

Linking with Other Trails and Public/Private Facilities

• Connected trails in all areas of Iowa important for "pass through" tourists.
• Important factor: connect existing trails.
• Yes: (important factor to connect existing trails).
• Agree (important factor to connect existing trails).
• Cross-state corridors.
• Local trail linkages.
• Transportation utility — does it connect common destinations, i.e. shopping, businesses, schools?
• Close to cities.
• Services-community.
• Housing/residential centers.
• Commercial center.
• Schools/colleges/universities.
• Scenic resources.
• Historic Sites.
• City parks/open spaces.
• Support facilities.
• Have campground area alongside or as part of bike/walking trail or motorcycle area.
• Campgrounds — trails to campgrounds.

Prefer Motorized Trails

• Allow use of snowmobiles on bike trails during winter.

• Cycle and ATV on side of bike trails year-round.
• We need motorized loop trails or linear trails over the state that we can bring our family on.
• Have any studies been done to provide recreation equality? We have very few motorized trails per user population.
• Need DNR and OHV to work together to develop an OHV riding area similar to Finger Lakes in Missouri. Should be closer than 6 hours away for Iowans paying registrations.
• Exercise? Motocross is the second most physically demanding sport there is. Play riding can be just as demanding, and fun!
• Riding and OHV is exercise.
• Could we have more motorized trails over the State of Iowa, like Wisconsin?
• Need more and larger motorized riding areas.
• Multiple use trails to include motorized, year-round use.
• Need motorized trails.
• I worked at a job for 30 years that ruined my hearing — I would just as soon have ruined it riding my motorcycle.
• Helmet and earplugs cure that problem (of hearing loss).
• What about (hearing loss from) airplanes, tractors, trucks, and Harleys?

Prefer Non-Motorized Trails

• Motorized vehicles beside bike trails too noisy.
• Motorized vehicles are noise pollution. See you at the hearing aid shop.
• We need pathways with no motorization — everyone needs exercise instead of just riding a motorized rig. There is enough noise — you need a peaceful area for relaxation.
• Motorized transport need to be separated from human powered year-round.
• Anyone can use non-motorized trails without any special equipment.
• Designate some trails for motorized vehicles and leave the rest for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and skaters.
• We need some quiet places — we don't need trails everywhere.
• Trails are quiet.
• No, we don’t (need motorized trails).

Paved vs. Unpaved

• Unpaved trails draw repeat motorized riders year-round. This is proven fact in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado.
• Need dirt trails parallel to paved trails for horse use.
• More multi-use options.

Construction and Maintenance

• Maintenance on existing trails should be established before any more trails are built.
• There is a need for volunteers to be organized to help maintain trails such as what the Iowa Trail Riders Association and Iowa Equestrian Trails Council has been doing for the past 8-10 years.
• ATV clubs willing to work with snowmobilers for maintenance feasibility.
• We have the people power to build ATV trails along with equipment to keep cost down and have a multi-purpose use trail! —Trailblazers
• Low-impact ATV trails — diverse landscape types. ATV clubs are willing to maintain trails on unused river bottoms and lands.

In Railroad Rights-of-Way

• My family owns a farm with the Cedar Valley Trail through it. Abandoned railroads are a good place for trails since they don’t change anything about how you farm the land. If the farmer wants to trade land to square up the field, it would be good to work with them.
• What about early identification of abandoned rail right-of-ways?
• Along existing railways.
• Get any rail bed you can. We should be able to work with the farmers to benefit both of us. Most rail beds "given" to farmers are never developed for crops. Let’s put the area to work for us and bring in some local income.

Not in Abandoned Railroad Rights-of-Way

• Keep trails off abandoned railroad land that adjoining landowners have purchased and returned to productive land; they’re paying more taxes on this property than the trails will ever pay.
• Not on abandoned railroad ROW (cause too many problems); put them in existing parks whenever possible.

Sensitivity to Diverse Landscape/Natural Environment

• The Iowa Trails Plan should promote an appreciation of the natural environment.
• People exposed to trail systems in other states are pro-trail, showing that there is little impact on the environment.
• Consider impacts to wildlife and native plants.
• Land use sensitivity to natural areas, too.
• Diverse landscapes.
• Topographic characteristics.
• Sensitivity to land uses.

Use of River Corridors

• Properly designed trails would not cause problem (in river areas).
• If we have no trails in river areas, are we able to see the wildflowers, animals, etc.
• River corridors are one of our most threatened habitats — don’t put trails in all of them.
• Iowa has hundreds of unused river corridors. Let’s make these available to ATV, snowmobile, horses, hiking, etc. Landowners would like for us to clean these up for them.
• Address potential erosion and loss of wildlife habitat (along trails in river corridors).
• Proximity to water.
• Along rivers.
• Rivers/Creeks.

Adjoining Property Owner Cooperation

• I would love a trail going by my house!
• Me, too (would love a trail going by my house).
• Keep them away from homes; minimum separation distance; no one wants to look out their bedroom window and see a trail.
• Some people will buy a house so they can look out their windows on a trail but do need to consider existing owners.
• Pass legislation to keep property owners from being sued by insurance companies and private individuals for recreational riding accidents. Remove all liability from property owners.
• Farmers are being misled by information about fencing and maintenance in fence lines and overhanging trees.
• Not through farms.

Method of Trail Funding

• Financial — federal regulation on grant funds sometimes seems too strict for the dollar amount involved.
• Taxpayers don’t want to be burdened with the maintenance of the trails. Our roads have deteriorated and our counties can’t afford to keep them up.
• Taxpayer should not foot the bill for bikers’ recreation.
• Financial support should be totally by users, not all the taxpayers.
• Same for schools (financial support should be totally by users, not all the taxpayers).
• Bicycle trails are paid for by the taxpayers. OHV trails and parks are paid for by OHV riders — What’s the deal?
• Why do taxpayers have to pay for bicycle trails that motorized drivers cannot use? Seems to be discrimminatory to me. Bicyclists and horse riders can ride roads. Can ATVs and snowmobiles?
• The DOT should assist local trails organizations in the education as to where the money for ISTEA and other grants really does come from.

Safety

• A safe place to ride and walk is all we ask. I have been run off the road and nearly hit too many times.
• Safety.
• Bicycle facilities — follow AASHTO guidelines and preferences for on-road facility over separated trail.
• Many other states have shoulders implemented for bicycling. Look at Colorado, Montana, Canada and Oregon. Small rumble strips separate the traffic and bicyclists. Why are we so resistant?
• Shoulders on highways are too dangerous for bicycling — especially youngsters. Put money into trails instead.
• Why is the DOT so against putting 5-foot shoulders on new highways (8-foot not needed); example — Highway 71 Audubon north to Templeton, and south to Atlantic.
• (Five-foot shoulders are) too dangerous.

Attendees were asked to identify issues related to trail development that they thought were important, and that should be considered in the Iowa Trails 2000 process.

Economic Impacts and Benefits to Tourism

• Historical/cultural tourism.
• Measure economic development.
• We drive many hours, spend $200-$300 in a weekend to ride Wisconsin trails. They want our money and we are glad to give it to them for their hard work on their trail system. We would rather spend it here in Iowa and hopefully we can someday! —Trailblazers Off-Road Club.

Linking with Other Trails and Public/Private Facilities

• Communities/link to state parks.
• State development of trails that cross several counties as Minnesota and Wisconsin do.
• Transportation — trails/bike routes that facilitate everyday bike transportation — direct, fast routes between destinations within urban areas.
• Add major county parks to community linkage — i.e. state/county parks.
• Communicating/coordinating with educational institutions.
• Tie trails into college/university trail systems.
• Links between communities, State Parks, etc. very important.

Prefer Motorized Trails

• I ride motorcycles, I ride bikes. I want OHV trails, it’s only right!
• Why are abandoned railroad lines being given to non-motorized instead of motorized?
• Please try to develop more OHV parks for motorized recreation — use the funds for which they were intended!
• Bicycles have 1,000,000 plus miles of trails in Iowa (every street and highway except interstates). Motorized trails make up less than 1,000 acres in the whole state. I can keep spending my money out of state if you want.
• Trails should be open to snowmobilers, who pay for trails in many ways — taxes, registration and license!
• Have you ever rode a motorcycle or ATV? That’s a pleasant workout.
• There are simply very few motorized off-road vehicle areas in the state, especially compared to other trail recreation opportunities.
• Year-round motorized use to be included in multi-use trails.

Prefer Non-Motorized Trails

• Bike trails were made for non-motorized since bicycles, roller blades, etc. cannot use roads but motorcycles can.
• Trails should increase physical activity, not more motor use.
• I agree that (trails should increase physical activity, not more motor use).
• I also agree that (trails should increase physical activity, not more motor use).
• Keep ATVs only on old gravel pits or sand pits — Cross-country skier
• We as ATV riders do not like to ride gravel or sand pits only! We have families and like trail riding from town to town. Sight-seeing, leaves, birds, trees, and streams. We do also care about the way trails wear. We are not out there to tear up the land! —Trailblazers

Paved vs. Unpaved

• Keep most snowmobile trails unpaved, with hills and turns so will work as mountain bike trails when no snow. Want to design them to limit speed.
• Watch use of hard-surfaced trails — either adjacent trail not hard-surfaced for snowmobiles or use lime as a surface.
• Strive for greater diversity in trails. I'm told hard-surfaced trails with hills and curves are what RAGBRAI riders need to practice on. If you want them off highways give them a place to go.

Construction and Maintenance

• Legislation:  Trail maintenance should be required of managing trail board.
• Maintenance – funding.
• Volunteers — development in smaller areas.

Adjoining Property Owner Cooperation/Trail Use Etiquette

• Liability — adjacent landowners need protection from lawsuits. Normal farming practices need to be protected.
• What about rights of reversion due to landowners on abandoned railroad right-of-way?
• What are the liabilities for the landowners? This has not been addressed — landowners should not be liable.
• Landowners’ property is being abused by people who use the Wabash Trace as access to farmers’ property. We have had no recourse, no protection.
• Education of trail users with regard to "rules of the road."
• Address trail user liability.
• Private property rights.
• Enforce Iowa state codes in regards to fencing, drainage, and weed control.

Trail Funding

• State government assistance to help make difficult connections.
• Reformulate existing funds (such as REAP) to allow for maintenance of existing facilities, not just development of new ones.
• ATVs and snowmobiles have to be registered to ride trails. This is where we get our money to build and maintain our trails and parks. How about a registration or user fee for these other trails?
• Prohibit the use of grant money for projects that require condemnation of private property for recreational use.
• Require need, ability to maintain and cost/benefit analysis to be demonstrated when new projects are proposed.
• Mandate federal road use funds be used for roads and bridges, not recreation.
• Create licenses, user fees, and excise taxes for bicycles and equipment to cover costs associated with trails.

Safety and Health Factors

• Given demographics of Iowa, it is imperative to keep older Iowans moving for their health and economic impact.
• Well said (that riding motorcycles or ATVs is a good workout).

• Health.

Multi-Use Trails for Various Users

• Allow motorized use of old railroad tracks on the side of the bicycle trails.
• We need more multi-use trails in smaller population areas. We need to drive an hour to get to trails now. Tired of so much funding going to larger areas.
• Various bike users–children, family, commuters, professional (long distance).
• Trail modes–promote multi-use for cross-country skiing.
• Make multi-use really multi-use–both motorized and non-motorized.
• Recognize multiple uses beyond bikes–hike, jog, roller blade, ski, etc.
• Use trail systems for multi-use, like Wisconsin and Minnesota: snowmobiles, ATVs, bikes, horses, walking trails for all to use.
• Be sure trails are for motorized year-round use also.
• Students.

Trail Design Factors

• Old railroad abandonments.
• Natural resources.
• Uniform signage.
• Mapping.
• Trail criteria in new subdivision criteria and/or guidelines.
• Maps (updated regularly) would be helpful, especially of breaks between existing trails (example: Heart of Iowa).
• Historic context of bicycling and trail area.
• Any way old bridges (such as Waterloo’s 18th Street bridge) could be relocated to trails? They’re old but wouldn’t have to carry heavy loads. No need to paint them either–let the rust protect the iron.
• Trails will be accessible to emergency vehicles and routine police patrol.

Locate in Existing Parks

• What about trails in existing parks for snowmobiles, dirt bikes, ATVs and equestrians?
• New trails to be developed in existing parks. These types of trails cost a fraction of the amount to develop and maintain that it takes for a trail on abandoned railroad right-of-way.

Trail Management

• State department of trails with one system of management to equalize services, uniform safety and intersection signs, etc., like Missouri trail system safety at crossings with stiles.
• Require incident reports be kept and available for public examination.

Trail Education, Marketing and Promotion

• So many Iowa people are not familiar with trail use, and their opinions seem to be based on things that are perceived and not fact. How do we change this?
• Marketing and promoting.
• Millennium Trail.

Other

• A lot of the same arguments against heard everywhere, but very few problems relative to the benefit of trails. Let’s think of the Big Picture, folks!
• Why does Des Moines and other large cities get professional treatment in regard to trail money almost to the exclusion of SW Iowa.
• What’s the Farm Bureau doing on your technical advisory committee? Exactly what trails have they built lately?

Attendees were asked to identify opportunities that the trail planning process could take advantage of. Comments given included:

• How will all the people who are not at these meetings involve their input? E-mail? Phone support?
• This needs more broad spread of information and awareness; advertise the website so there is more support.
• In your planning process, are community plans implemented?
• Do tourism dollars help offset tax dollars?
• Groups in the state interested in developing trails need technical help through the process. Where to start, organization assistance, securing easements, etc.
• Would love to see a website with all trails listed and with ability to find out what trails are available within a requested radius (example: what trails are available within a 50-mile radius of Cannon Falls, Minnesota?)

The following comments were made regarding trail corridors proposed or being considered:

Alma-Riceville-Minnesota

• Let’s get the trail from Alma thru Riceville done and extended to the Minnesota line. Getting to Lake Louise in LeRoy will get us tied into their trails (Root River, etc.) and eventually into Wisconsin and LaCrosse.

Atlantic-Audubon Area

• The Atlantic-Audubon trail should be prioritized as it connects the National Discovery Trail.
• How are you going to get from trailhead to Atlantic?
• We need to fund the construction of the Atlantic-Audubon Trail.
• What can be done next to get approved for a bike trail along the old railroad track between Atlantic and Audubon?
• Lewis was the crossroads to the east and west – from Des Moines to Council Bluffs (Kanesville).
• Highway 6 through Lewis:  The original White Pole Road, Mormon Trail, Underground Railroad and stagecoach; also a designated highway in 1800s.
• A bike trail between Atlantic and Audubon would benefit the people in the towns along the way.
• We feel this would be a good thing for Cass County. Connect with Historical Lewis — Mormon Trail, Underground Railway Station, Ferry House, etc.
• We feel that this will benefit all the citizens of Cass County.
• Thanks for addressing this big blank area (Crawford, Shelby, Audubon counties)

Grant Wood Trail

• Proposed Grant Wood Trail should be removed from plan. Will never be contiguous to Mississippi as stated.
• Would be helpful to label type of trail–canoe/bike/multi-use/motorized vehicle.
• Grant Wood Trail route should follow railroad corridor through Olin, Oxford Junction into Clinton County, then into Jackson County.

Saylorville-Madrid Area

• Make Saylorville-Madrid area an OHV park like spelled out in the master plan from 1976.

Attendees were asked to identify in what ways they use trails (some responded to more than one category):

• Pedestrians — 104
• Bicyclists — 127
• Mountain bikes — 33
• Snowmobiles — 63
• Equestrians — 23
• Off-Highway Vehicles — 83
• In-Line Skaters — 39
• Canoes/Kayaks — 44
• Cross-Country Skiers — 2

• We need OHV trails in NW Iowa; there isn't any.
• I would like Iowa to spend its money on other recreation things. None of the trail choices cover my priorities.
• Where is the "Proposed Motorized Trail System" on your legend?
• OHV areas need to be part of the Trails Plan–registrations paid, gas tax paid, no place to ride!
• Bicycle trails are paid for by all taxpayers. Even the ones that don’t use the trails. OHV trails and parks are paid for by OHV users. Why?
• Missing cross-country skiing from usage. Separate from snowmobile trails.
• OHVs pay their own way. Where do the bicycles get their money?