UPDATED: 11/4/2022

The next Conservation Board meeting is November 28th and we need you there! 

The Linn County Conservation Board is considering a plan to widen and pave a 2 mile section of the Grant Wood Nature Trail from Secrist Rd to Springville Rd in Springville Iowa. This plan is also promoted by the Linn County Trail Association. This trail used to be a dual track RR line. According to the Conservation Board "People don't want to change the character of the sections of trails and neither do we"  "We have a 25ft top to work with and we need 12-14 ft for a paved trail with 2 ft for shoulders, which means we have 10-12 ft of grass." (Gazette article 10/19/22) 

This "part paved, part grass" is not a compromise. We have measured the width of this trail. It averages 17ft wide. This proposed plan WOULD require the removal of trees, shrubs, and native woodland wildflowers in order to widen and pave the trail. We are opposed to this development. People use this trail for walking, running, horseback riding, cross country skiing, AND biking. This plan will permanently change the tree canopy, the natural habitat for birds and animals, and most likely cause more erosion that already exists today.

The Linn County Conservation Board’s first Mission statement is to “ PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES”. Please sign this petition to show your support. Tell the Board to listen to the community who use this trail and leave it alone or if any development is needed, keep it as natural as possible.  Tell the Board to research other ideas to “connect (biking) communities” while preserving the natural beauty of this trail. Tell the Board to reconsider paving this trail and stand by their statement that "people don't want change the character of this section of the trail and neither do we"

Email: Conservation@linncountyiowa.gov

Thank you for your support.