New connection marks important progress for
the cross-country Great American Rail-Trail®, which promises new
opportunities for tourism, recreation and active transportation in
Iowa
DES
MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rails to Trails Conservancy, the
nation's largest trails advocacy organization, joined leaders
across Iowa who have championed
the trail connection between the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the
High Trestle Trail for decades in celebrating the project's
completion.
Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday,
Aug. 17, for the inaugural ride and ceremony to officially
open the High Trestle Connection, creating one of longest paved
trails in the U.S., unlocking a 120-mile trail loop. The connection
also marks an important milestone in Iowa for the Great American Rail-Trail®, the
nation's first cross-country multiuse trail, closing gap #45 and
creating nearly 60 miles of uninterrupted trail along the
route.
"Completing this connection between these two iconic trails
creates an uninterrupted 57-mile trail segment between the small
towns of Holland and Herndon along
the Great American Rail-Trail," said Kevin
Belle, RTC's project manager for the Great American. "This
connection taps into the incredible trail network that stretches
into the greater Des Moines area
and provides significant economic development opportunities for all
the vibrant towns along the route."
An economic analysis commissioned by RTC finds that the Great
American will bring $14.3 million in
visitor spending and $1.2 million in
tax revenue each year to Iowa. The
total economic impact of cycling and trails across the state is
estimated at $364.8 million each
year.
"This has an incredible economic impact that is beyond just
someone spending their money at a restaurant near the trail," said
Luke Hoffman, executive director of
Iowa Bicycle Coalition, in a statement. "This trail is more than
just a trail. It's also a legacy for future generations because
it's a community asset that has economic, tourism, and health and
wellness benefits. Trails are one of those tools in the toolbox
that we can't ignore. In the tourism commercials for the state of
Iowa, they're showing images of
the High Trestle Bridge. It's part of the symbolism of what makes
our state great."
The Raccoon River Valley Trail, a
member of RTC's Hall of Fame, is the longest and oldest paved loop
trail in the nation. The trail, along with the High Trestle Trail,
which spans 31.4 miles and is known for its famous 130-foot-tall
High Trestle Bridge, are vital tourist engines for
central Iowa, embraced by the region and state as an
asset for health, wellness and connection.
The trails are part of the developing 3,700-mile Great
American Rail-Trail, Rails to Trails Conservancy's flagship project
to connect a cross-country, multiuse trail, across 12 states
between Washington, D.C., and
Washington State. For more details
about the Great American, including photos and video for press use,
visit greatamericanrailtrail.org and follow
@greatamericanrailtrail and #GRTAmerican on social media.
Rails to Trails Conservancy is the nation's largest trails
organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million
strong—dedicated to building a nation connected by trails,
reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk,
bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org
and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
CONTACT:
Patricia Brooks, 202.351.1757,
patricia@matchmapmedia.com
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SOURCE Rails to Trails Conservancy