Spencer, Iowa (RI) — Iowa tourism officials estimate there are about 25 hundred miles of paved bicycle trails in the state, and a new stretch of trail in northwest Iowa is adding to that tally. The trail runs from Spencer, through rural Clay County and the city of Fostoria to the Dickinson County line. Clay County Supervisor Barry Anderson was at Monday’s ribbon-cutting.
Brian Schmidt was the engineer on both phases of the trail. Phase one started in Spencer and, for the most part, was built within a railroad right of way. He says construction on the second phase was a bit more challenging.
Kathy Fueston of Spencer has been pushing to expand the trail system in northwest Iowa to — ultimately — connect to trails that reach Des Moines. Monday night’s event was an emotional moment for her.
She says the newly-opened trail out of Spencer to the Dickinson County line is safer for bicyclists than city streets and stretches of rural highway.
A proposed four-mile segment from Fostoria to Milford and an 11-mile stretch from Sac City to Lake View would complete the Iowa Great Lakes Trail project.
KIWA Staff File Photo (not the actual trail)
