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Open House Input Analysis — Summer 2000 Open Houses

Ankeny (RAGBRAI), Atlantic, Cedar Rapids, Cherokee, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fairfield, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Muscatine, Waterloo

Participants: 321 total participants at 11 workshops.

People attending the Open House Workshops were asked to indicate their opinions/comments on the displays around the room. The displays led people through the room on a chronological tour of the document…chapter by chapter. Comments were made on sticky post-it notes and tabulated after the final open house in Dubuque.

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Iowa Trails 2000 Goals

What will the state do to aid in planning multiple-county trails?
How can Trails 2000 get planners from neighboring municipalities to work together?
DNR needs to have a better trail system, more education for users and more promotion of trails. If we have a great system that works — lets brag about it…not keep it a secret.
Will all people of all skill levels feel welcome and safe on these trails?
Do the goals include people with mental disabilities and their needs?
Trails 2000 should also provide an understanding of the benefits of trails and how they are a valuable tool for local trail planning and implementation efforts to County Engineers, Regional/MPO Planning Boards, State departments such as the Department of Health, Lawmakers, Senators, Representatives, the Governor and even Federal Lawmakers representing Iowa. The planning and implementation should be coordinated at all of these levels.
Connecting points of destinations with trails to provide for alternate transportation, not just recreation.
Have organized trail clean-up days.
On multi-use trails, have bikes with a strip, have horses with a strip and make it wide enough for everyone.
Make linear ATV trails in the state that connect smaller towns (which will give more revenue to the towns).
Need community support for a good ATV park in our area and in the state.
Create linear ATV trails throughout Iowa.
Want multi-purpose equestrian trails.
Horse trails in Warren County.
Need full-size legal public areas.

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Document Outline

More multi-use trails need to be developed for both winter and summer use.
Need more multi-use trails for year-round use.
Want more equestrian trails in some of the nice County & State Parks.
ATV trails as well as multi-use trail systems will bring much economic benefit to our state.
Why are snowmobiles legal in the ditch during the winter, and OHVs are not legal in the summer? Can we get them legalized?
ATVs need the ability to ride in ditches like snowmobiles do in bordering states.
If there were more motorized dirt bike trails and less mountain bike trails, it would increase taxes on motorcycles, then the state makes more money and we ride and have fun.
A full-size four-wheel drive park would generate income every weekend for neighboring towns.
Full-size vehicles (like Jeeps, Trucks) should be included.

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Chapter 1

Iowa needs to expand linear trails and make them as multi-purpose as possible. Why should we go to Wisconsin or Minnesota to spend our time and money?
Inline skating is the most popular form of recreation in the age group of 15-21…keep the future in mind.
Multi-use trails work very well in other states, for example Wisconsin has many different trail systems that are open to everyone: pedestrians, bikers, equestrians, and OHVs.
Wisconsin can make multi-use trails work for them…why not Iowa?
Make Iowa a better place to take a family vacation by expanding multi-use trails. Be sure to include motorized vehicles, ATVs, etc.
People from all over Iowa go to South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois to ride horses — Why? Because Iowa does not welcome riders. We spend a lot of money on equipment, gas, food and vehicles. We need trails!
You aren’t driving your pickup and trailer on the horse trail…How does the bicyclist get to the trail? or the motorcyclist?
ATV trails in Iowa will keep a lot of money in the state, rather than being spent out of state…a lot of family vacation money is spent by ATV families.
Many OHV users go to neighboring states to use their trail systems, since Iowa has no system. That means money is leaving our communities to be spent elsewhere for gas, food, lodging, etc.
OHV users are required to pay a state registration fee to register their OHVs. This money should be used to develop trail systems for OHVs/multi-purpose use.
What do people spend on equipment? (horse trailer and pickup compared to bicycles)
With the money we spend on horse trailers, gas, camping, and food, we would like to see longer and more trails.
My wife and I ride ATVs — we need a trail system in Iowa similar to multi-use trails in Wisconsin. We’d rather spend our money here.
OHV and multi-use trails…they do work together, just ask neighboring states. Whatever it takes.
Make trails connecting various areas throughout Iowa for families…OHV use (including off-road motorcycles). So we don’t have to travel to Missouri.
I would like to see more Snowmobile trails.
How are you going to control motorized vehicle use with horse traffic?
4x4/Mountain Bike/ATV trails work if you have enough right-of-way space.
Add full-size 4x4 vehicle trails to Iowa. Old quarries, floodplains, etc. are nice locations for that use.
Please keep in mind the horse trails.
Deeply need motorized trails.
Just say no to motorized vehicles.
Be sure to include cross-country skiing as weather permits it.
Full-size four-wheel drives should be recognized too.
Desperately need ATV trails.
You should include full size OHV vehicles.

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Chapter 2

Having trails for full-size vehicles has many benefits to the local area where the trails are. It brings in many dollars to the local economy. Look at local area’s where Jeep Jamboree’s and other off-road events reside.
The Jeep Jamboree in Pittsfield, Illinois had over 200 vehicles at $400.00…that’s $80,000.00 generated in one weekend!
Iowa ATV people are leaving the state to ride, which takes revenue out of the state…Iowa needs to wake up and get with it.
Have signs like: Bikers pass on right. It can be scary having to avoid a biker.
Why can’t you ride ATVs in the ditches and gravel roads, there is no snow? Why are equestrian users and bicyclists allowed to ride on roads? Do they pay fuel tax and registration fees? Do they have adequate lights (headlight, tail and brakes)? Give the bicyclists the OHV Parks and give the trails and roads to the ATVs and snowmobiles.
We could have one area with different sections for mountain bikes, ATVs, full-size 4x4s etc. This would reduce the total cost of having separate areas to patrol, clean, maintain, etc.
Since when does trail traffic have the right-of-way over vehicular traffic?
Trail intersections with roads need to be clearly signed on the roads. Vehicles often don’t slow down or stop before the trail crossing — signage is essential.
Wake up, Iowa! Canoeists, equestrians and bicyclists don’t spend as much money as the snowmobiler’s and ATV riders do. Why chase the spenders out of the state; yet support the bicyclists. Let them pay their way. Minnesota and Wisconsin look better all the time. After all, what’s the fastest growing recreational vehicle? The ATV.
Ecological value of trails is a great concept. Let folk’s slow down so we can learn to appreciate ecology rather than just roar by. Provide benches at unique spots. Have nature interpretive guides and signs.
Encourage office buildings and other work centers (industry, commercial) to provide shower facilities for workers who may run or bike to work. Maybe encourage shopping malls to have pay shower stalls for the workers or runners to use.
Trails should, as a primary goal (other than providing access to scenic and unique areas that can deal with respectful traffic) provide for physical fitness. ATV use grows as nation gets fatter and more lazy. Exercise trails with catchy stations could get some folks off of their motorized rears.

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Chapter 3 Trail Location Criteria

I would like to be able to commute safely on a bicycle. Could we encourage all new development to put in bike paths as well as sewer and water lines? Roads with low predicted traffic volumes could be used as trails, but new developments connected only by high-volume roads should be required to have bike trails. Also, cities should be encouraged to build bike access to all sections of town, not just the easy to build or scenic areas.
As a European, I have a different perspective of transportation to that of a typical American. My main interest is in cycling, and how it can be integrated into the "big picture". I do not own or use a car and feel that the concept of a separate "trail" is alien to me. I therefore feel that some consideration should be given to making cycling on the roads a safer activity and also to carrying bikes on carriers on the bus.
Horse hooves damage trails designed for hikers and bikers. Soft dirt trails can be rapidly disrupted by hooves & spinning tires.
How about bicycles paying a license fee like a car or an ATV?

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Chapter 3 Resource Inventory Mapping

Utilize existing programs to expand trails program.

Conservation Reserve Program (USDA)
Wetland Reserve Program
Debt for Nature Program

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Chapter 3 Existing Inventory Map

Where are the OHV trails? It seems kind of lop-sided.
Work to expand existing trails and try to connect them as multi-purpose trails.
Linear trails for motorized users. Multi-use is a great idea…also continue to create OHV parks.
Check with the Jefferson County Trails Council to find out more about existing and proposed trails in the Fairfield area.
You may want to note the Clayton County Bike Trail along the Great River Road from McGregor to Guttenburg. There is a 4-mile trail in Elkader brought to my attention from the Clayton County Conservation Commission.
There is a trail from Riceville to Elma in Howard County. Call Howard County Engineer for exact location and route.
Help keep Brushy Creek available for horse campers and riders.
Where is the designated bike route along the River Road?
There is a need for motorized trails across the state for ATVs, dirt bikes and snowmobiles.
Trails need to be multi-purpose including horses and motorcycles.
Need multi-use trails with loop trails for special groups such as bikes, horses and ATVs.
Need to differentiate between trails for pedestrians, bikes, horses, etc. Mason City trails for instance, do not all accommodate bikes.
Multi-use trails need to include horses. Why can’t this be done?
Multiple-use trails work in other states. Iowa needs trails for motorized and non-motorized users.
We spend money on bicycle trails, and here in Polk County I am hindered driving my work vehicle by those who insist on riding down the highway instead.
Made a trail for bikers, and they end up using the highway.
Trails don’t go everywhere I want them to go…so I consider trails an option.
Equestrian users have no options — they have to use trails.
We need a series of motorized trails for full-size 4x4 vehicles, Jeeps, etc. These trails could be shared with motorcycles and quads.
I would like to see river-to-river multi-purpose trails and include horses.
We need to enlarge the Rathbun OHV area.
I am tired of pulling down the highway and having a biker take up _ the road going uphill.
We need to make OHV/off-road motorcycle use legal along road ditches in the summer.

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Chapter 3 Proposed Inventory Map

Great to have trails designated in Van Buren County. Many railroad right-of-ways have been sold, so that will be a challenge.
Fairfield to Keosauqua would be a great link.
Currently there is a 15-mile trail loop being constructed around Oskaloosa and University Park this year in Mahaska County. Also, they have requested a paved shoulder on the Highway 63 project from Oskaloosa to New Sharon from the IDOT Commission.
How about the Pennsylvania model of marking roads as designated bikeways across the state?
Please make multi-use trails so we can all enjoy them.
Not safe for meeting bikes on the highway.
ECIA (East Central Intergovernmental Association) has updated proposed regional trail information for Epworth, Asbury, Dubuque and Clinton.
Clinton County has an updated county proposed plan. For more information on it contact the Clinton County Engineer.
The "MATS" plan has just been completed for Cedar Rapids. The plan has an extensive network incorporated into the MPO plan.
Additions:

Beeds Lake (Hampton) extension of Butler County proposal
Marquette to McGregor — trail of two cities
Strawberry Point to Backbone State Park
Grinnell to Rock Creek Lake State Park
Des Moines to Red Rock connection
Fort Dodge to Brushy Creek
Howard County — Vernon Springs trail
Jackson County trail
Upper Mississippi River trail along the entire length

UERPC (Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission) has updated proposed regional trail information for Clermont, Postville, Spillville, Effigy Mounds and Pikes Peak State Park.
Iowa needs trails for full-size vehicles (Jeeps, Trucks, etc.). There is only one legal public trail area in the state for full-size 4x4 vehicles (near Solon).
Interesting concentrations of trails in some of the urban areas, but not very evenly distributed statewide. Is this inventory based on current known plans or foreseeable funds?
Need full-size 4x4 riding areas.
NIACOG (North Iowa Area Council of Governments) has updated proposed regional trail information.
Sheldon is currently constructing an inter-city trail system. Will horses be welcome?
If you don’t make them multi-use, the groups that are not allowed on them will ride on them anyway.
Multi-use, why don’t we try it?

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Chapter 3 OHV Facility Map

Usually the worst looking and rougher the terrain is the best for OHV use. The areas are out there; they just need to be found.
Cooperation between all user groups does happen on trails in Wisconsin.
We need to have regular dates for meeting with the powers that be so we can make this happen while we’re young.
OHVs will support financially their sport through their registration fees, as well as with people to plan, develop, and maintain it.
OHVs currently fund and maintain all of our own riding areas. We can and would continue this progression from parks to trails. We are one of the few groups who take total care of our own areas. Currently, we have less than 1000 acres of legal riding area in Iowa. Considering that there are more than 500,000 ATVs sold annually, Iowa definitely has a void to fill.
ATV sales are increasing at 25% each year. There is much economic gain by having a statewide trail system.
Let there be ATV trails so we can spend our money in our home state.
Please use our OHV registration dollars to build trails near Des Moines.
We need more areas opened for ATV use, I know of no area within an hour of the Des Moines area. Surrounding states have better areas and get more of my recreation dollars even with the required registration and other fees demanded by this state.
In regards to OHV usage/riding areas, please compare us to other states capabilities. Iowa is way behind surrounding states…just look at Missouri.
Why do bicyclists get free trails and OHV riders have to pay their own?
Be sure to include OHV/off-road motorcycle use of trails for family use.
If you could get the IDNR to cooperate, we could have lots of land to use and not overload smaller areas.
For OHVs, the best scenario is large, large areas, not many small ones…including old strip mines.
All existing areas need to be expanded. The larger the area, the better it can sustain heavy use with less maintenance.
I see lots of proposed trails for bicycles and walking. Where are new proposals for motorcycles? Bicyclists pay no registration/user fees, motorcyclists do.
As an ATV user, I would much rather ride Iowa as opposed to another state. Keep our money in Iowa with trails for all active riding groups (bikes, ATVs, horses, etc.)
Where is the plan for increased use for equestrian users?
Don’t overlook us ATVs. We definitely need trails in Northeast Iowa. You can count the dollars leaving the state every weekend. It all ends up in Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. Let’s keep the dollars and the good family fun right here in Iowa.
Open up road ditches to OHVs in the summer time…such as the snowmobiles have in the winter.
Would like to see some OHV trails or OHV parks in North Central Iowa. Right now we only have private property to ride on in the Mason City area.

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Chapter 3 Statewide Proposed Vision

Full-size vehicle off-roading brings a lot of money. Look at how many Jeep Jamborees there are throughout the country. (as well as other full-size vehicle off-roading events)
What relationship does this map have to the "proposed trails" map?
The Old Creamery Trail from Vinton to Dysart is not shown on the map.
The corridor from Decorah to the Northeast corner is an absolute must. It should receive heavy state funding — should connect up with Minnesota and Wisconsin trails.
A trail from Fairfield to Keosauqua would be great to bike to Lake Keosauqua and Lake Sugema.
Connecting corridor trails should be multi-purpose. The members of the IOHV can and will help with planning of these trails.
Contact the Iowa Equestrian Trail Council (IETC) to obtain volume: labor for trail construction and maintenance. We work closely with the DNR for trail repair.
ATVs pay extra money when registering our vehicles for trails and trail maintenance — we need more trails.
Please consider a trail corridor along Highway 150 from Independence north.
There are a couple of existing trails that need to be added in Grundy County and in Waverly.
Need more horse trails…or multi-purpose trails?
Why can’t horses use the Cedar Valley Nature Trail? We pay taxes too.
Cedar Rapids has an existing trail plan. How much has ADT been considered?
Parking for larger horse trailer rigs.
Off-street trails (or priority lanes on streets) should be a part of any urban development for easy, pleasant and safe pedestrian and bicycle access to major aspects of the urban setting. Help get motors off congested streets by helping make bikes and feet more attractive.
We need more OHV and motorized trails.
Badger Creek needs horse trails.
Make railroad tracks running from Slater, south through Sheldahl, south into a multi-purpose trail including a plan for horses. Connect it to a trail that goes east out of Slater.
Connecting existing trails is ideal. Using old railway corridors would be more interesting than running parallel to roadways. The more user groups involved, the better it will be.
If these trails become reality, I will spend my dollar in Iowa…not in other states with a better trails system for ATVs.
The equestrians also spend money in Iowa.
We need a connected system of OHV trails in all of Iowa. We go to Wisconsin…in turn our tourism money gets spent there.
We would like to see interconnected OHV trails in Northwest Iowa.
A corridor along the new Highway 20 in Fort Dodge would better serve the area. Fort Dodge and Lake View is an active rail line, which would be used more when the Corn Sweetener Plant is built.

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Chapter 4 Design Guidelines

What kinds of signs will be used to indicate that there may be wheelchair and/or other adaptive equipment in use?
How will a slow moving hiker-biker-etc. feel safe on the same trails used by fast bikers?
How will people who can’t read English signs, those who are mentally retarded or those who are non-English speaking read the information on the signs?
Need to work with other agencies to reduce the red tape.
There will be a dedication of the American Discovery Trail (the only cross U.S. trail) on Saturday, August 12. It is the northern most point in the nation — George Wyth Park in Waterloo at 10:30 am.
Thanks so very, very much for all your work on this excellent (and precious) resource. It’s much appreciated!
Trailheads are frequently ignored, inadequate and with no facilities. There is a need to develop standards for trailheads and parking. What sense does it make to have a nice trail with no access to it?
ATV clubs are willing to help mark and maintain trails.
Multi-use trails seem like an oxymoron. I have backpacked in the wilderness throughout this nation. Horses distract from the natural character of the benefits of exercise in clean air. I shared 7 horses on a 3,172-foot peak this summer. Yuck! Motors up there would be even worse!
I feel these guidelines are 100% correct.
How about some trails just for walking through sensitive areas?
I profess that horses can use in the summer…some of the trails used by snowmobiles in the winter.

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Chapter 5 Cost Analysis

These costs are too high for areas of the state with low population, thus there is a need to improve other road use plans to let bicyclists use them safely.
What about structures included in the building of an actual trail? That would be extremely useful!

Bridges?
Culverts?
Other construction structural items?

Legalize registered OHVs and motorcycles on County gravel roads.
How about designating the trail land and letting the trail develop itself = "free"?
Whatever you say…in the end this is all for bicycles.
Full-size four wheel drive trails will not need the grading, granular fill, asphalt or wood chips, clearing of trees and grubbing would be at a minimum. The trails with the lowest development cost are not even represented.
ATV parks are maintained by local clubs and are funded by our own registration fees and grants. We do not ask for the DNR or other agencies to do this. We take responsibility for our areas.
Low cost to maintain a horse trail…you should only have to mow 2-3 times a year.
With these costs — horse trails look better and better — hiking, mountain bikes, etc. can also use them.
Keep expenses down — don’t pave trails — those who want paved trails can use the roads.
Can we use a different type of surface other than paving…wood chips cost much less and work for more user groups?
Saddle clubs and horse groups are willing to help build trails.
Proposed 4,908 miles of trails…How many are horse trails or multi-use?
Jeep clubs are always willing to have a trail clean up. All you have to do is ask!

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Chapter 6 Implementing the Vision

Equestrian users pay a lot for hauling horses, as well as the gas tax.
ATV users pay more gas taxes.
Federal funds can be used for all types of trails. Has any been used for motorcycle trails in Iowa?
The ATVs and OHVs use their registration fees to build projects along with grant money.
Equestrians pay more gas tax — Who benefits from that?
Need to require use tags for bicycles to use trails. I believe they need to help fund/support trails they use. I think a system of pay as you go would work well…or maybe $5.00 per year.
Horse people pay gas taxes too!
Multi-purpose trails would benefit everyone — on road right-of-ways. Local OHV clubs would help maintain these with the state…as other states do.
This is how most other states do it…look at their plans.
Donate/volunteer to specific user groups to make sure your money is used for targeted projects.
Would my trail fee go into the general fund, or go directly for trails?
Please continue to add multi-use trails that include equestrians!
Why don’t ATV sales require registration on the spot like automobiles do?
Where is our registration money for snowmobiles? The trails should be for everybody, including equestrians and snowmobiles, not just hikers and bikers.
Why do equestrian users have to pay $3.00 extra per night to camp…compared to the regular campers? Does this money go for equestrian interests? We clean up our area before we leave so that the IDNR doesn’t spend all of this money cleaning up.
Make money available for full-size OHV parks and trails.
Appropriate or a portion of money from the SUV tax can be used to specifically fund 4x4 trails.
We need to see a piece of the money pie for full-size vehicle trails. There is only one area to legally ride off-road in a full-size vehicle in the state of Iowa.
People need to understand that registration fees can be used on trails for different modes.

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Chapter 6 Roles and Responsibilities

There has to be more input from trail user groups.
I see no provision for the review of trail plans by trail user groups! Are there reviews of road plans by car enthusiasts?
Some County Conservation Boards are able to provide design and construction guidance, technical assistance and review.
Consider working with area USDA — RC&Ds (Resource Conservation & Development Areas). Look for possible design assistance and/or possible grant assistance…also the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers!
Should have involvement at all levels. Have a way — procedure for involvement of all. Communication is a key to success of any project large or small.

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Chapter 7 Management and Maintenance

For over 10 years, equestrian trail riding has been organized to work with the IDNR to create and restore trails. What other user groups are working with the IDNR and how can we all work together?
Trail sweepers?
Equestrian trails are cheaper to maintain — don’t need asphalt or mowing…only erosion measures which you would do anyway.
For full-size vehicles, several clubs and the Iowa Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs will maintain the trails in the trail area that is for full-size vehicles.
ATV trails require very little maintenance…we don’t need smooth trails. Let local clubs help with the upkeep.
Trail clubs are willing to help maintain trails to have a good place for horseback riding.
Bicyclists are on the highway, but asphalt on the side of the road would be safer.
Users of trails should be willing to license their vehicles to support themselves.
Horse clubs volunteer labor to improve/clean/repair trails.
Mountain biking and horseback riding groups are working together for group events — there is a need for many miles of varied terrain trails.
It is going to be essential to have funding assistance for the operations and maintenance of these trails.
Jeep/ATV trails need no maintenance. The rougher the trails are, the better it is to ride on.

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Chapter 8 Recommendations

Ask specific users to donate time and materials. ATV and motorcycle users have many resources and are usually willing to donate.
In Northwest Iowa, blacktop trails don’t work for snowmobiles.
Near my home there are wide ditches that are used in the winter by snowmobiles. When the ditches were only a few years old, I rode my horse on a safe trail I had scoped out for several miles. Then the highway maintenance crews cut the brush off leaving sharp slanted spears of stubs that were dangerous to the horses’ legs. I would like to maintain a safe trail through these wide ditches. Since 1990, I have worked on developing trails in Story County. I would venture to say that equestrians could maintain the trail in the summer and the snowmobiles could use it in the winter.
In areas that do not have population or green corridors, we need the county and state roads built for extra use such as wide shoulders for biking and walking without rumble strips and at least 2-2_ feet outside of the shoulder.
We need many miles of trails for horseback riding.
Why do other wildlife prairie areas allow for snowmobile trails, but not in the O’Brien County waterman area? — we can’t even get a trail to access the Little Sioux River.
Develop a way to enforce rules and regulations so the few who abuse the trails are fined instead of closing trails to all.
We need to incorporate wide paved shoulders for biker/hiker safety.
If bicycles are going to utilize highways, widen them enough to accommodate bike traffic or utilize ditches.
Too many times private landowners create weak links to creating trails and the grass roots efforts and desires die.
Policy and laws in Iowa will have to change relative to using condemnation of private land to get quality trails in designated corridors. Iowa does not have the vast public land as in other states to layout and link up trails.

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Handbooks for Communities

Check out Volga equestrian parks (or others)…the parks are packed.
These are only on good weathered days…and even if they are "packed", the pedestrians and bicyclists still could make up a large % of total trail users.
How did you gather all the stats? At RAGBRAI — If you count the numbers correctly, OHVs are unrepresented.
"Trail riding in Iowa" has been a great resource and widely used.
ATV users spend a lot of money in other states, where we can ride on linear trails. Let’s keep some of this money in Iowa.
Different groups’ numbers will increase if trails were created or shared.
How are you going to deal with liability issues?
Possibly talk about the values of land and land abutting a trail.
What about ATVs? Sales are up — we don’t mind sharing trails.

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