Iowa

5 Rail-Trails to Awe at the Architecture

Posted 09/30/22 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails | Tagged with Caracara, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Trail Destinations, Washington, Wisconsin

Monona Terrace along Wisconsin's Capital City State Trail | Photo courtesy Travel Wisconsin

From stunning Victorian homes to industrial factories from a bygone era to structures designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright—no matter your architectural penchant—you’re sure to find a building (or two, or three) to gawk at while traversing these rail-trails.

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Monona Terrace along Wisconsin's Capital City State Trail | Photo courtesy Travel Wisconsin

5 Rail-Trails to Awe at the Architecture

Posted 09/30/22 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails | Tagged with Caracara, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Trail Destinations, Washington, Wisconsin

From stunning Victorian homes to industrial factories from a bygone era to structures designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright—no matter your architectural penchant—you’re sure to find a building (or two, or three) to gawk at while traversing these rail-trails.

Shevonne and Pat Travers | Photo courtesy Shevonne and Pat Travers

Best Of: Great American Rail-Trail Adventures With the Traverses

Posted 09/12/22 by Shevonne and Pat Travers in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington

In June 2021, my husband, Pat, and I began our trek on the Great American Rail-Trail® in Seattle, Washington, at the western end of the 3,700-mile developing route.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska | Photo by Matthew Nissen

20 Iconic Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in America

Posted 06/08/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Florida, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Spring News from the State Legislatures

Posted 04/06/22 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with California, Colorado, Funding, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, RAISE, South Carolina, State and Federal Programs, Virginia

Depending on where you live, this time of year may mean the prolonged dregs of winter, early signs of Spring, or some variation on “mud season.” But for most of the country—regardless of climate or geography—it’s also the height of the state legislative season. Most states’ general assemblies are part-time, and generally convene in the early part of each calendar year. All but a handful of states are currently in session. So what does this mean for trails and active transportation funding in states?

Iowa's High Trestle Trail | Photo by TrailLink user dj123_45

Top 10 Trails in Iowa

Posted 11/05/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Iowa, Top10, Trail Destinations

In 1856, the first trains to ever cross the mighty Mississippi River entered Davenport, Iowa, ushering in a new wave of east-west travel across the burgeoning nation. Today, Iowa offers more than 900 miles of trail built along former railroad corridors, a result of its long history of leadership in trail development, including being the first state in the nation to put the Railbanking Act of 1983 to use. Looking forward, many of these routes are being utilized for the Great American Rail-Trail™, a developing 3,700-mile route across the country. Some of these amazing rail-trails are highlighted below along with other outstanding multiuse trails that showcase the beautiful terrain and welcoming communities of the state.

Perry's depot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail | Courtesy Raccoon River Valley Trail Association

Iowa’s Raccoon River Valley Trail

Posted 09/10/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Iowa, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

In pastoral west-central Iowa, the Raccoon River Valley Trail has won this year’s blue-ribbon prize: entrance into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The 89-mile pathway garnered some 16,000 votes in the national competition—a figure larger than the population of most of the small towns along its route, several home to fewer than 300 people.

The stunning 22-mile NorPac trail in Idaho and Montana, is a host trail of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail. | Photo by TrailLink user cstineyb

Great American Rail-Trail: Long-Distance Adventures

Posted 05/07/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Tourism , Trail Destinations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bicycle purchases have surged, and trail use around the country has seen a sustained uptick of more than 50% over previous years. Being outside has helped millions to cope, buoying support—and demand for—projects like the developing 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail, the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail. Here are just a few of the long-distance outdoor adventures to be found along this unique and vital route between Washington State and Washington, D.C.

Heartland Trail in Ohio | Courtesy Rails-to-Trails of Wayne County

2021 Trail Grants Awardees Support Community Connections On and Off Trails

Posted 03/15/21 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Building Trails | Tagged with Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington

RTC has announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding a total of $145,000 to support 11 trail projects across the country that have been strategically designed to support local and regional economic, health, social, environmental and active transportation goals.

Pennsylvania's Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Photo courtesy Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

Eight Urban Experiences Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 08/10/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington, Wyoming

The Great American Rail-Trail, covering some 3,700 miles across the country, will be accessible by nearly 50 million people within 50 miles of the route. Here is a sampling of some of the unique close-to-home experiences that city dwellers along the way can already enjoy.

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail | Photo by TrailLink user orangedoug

The Great American Rail-Trail: Projects to Watch in 2020

Posted 05/08/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Encouraging Trail Use, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

At the end of last year, RTC reported that nearly $13 million in funding has been secured for Great American segments, which will help close trail gaps and improve existing sections of trail along the 3,700-mile route between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. This year, nearly 100 miles of new trail along the route are expected to be completed. As a pre-kick-off to May, here’s a sneak peek at a handful of these exciting projects.

Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge | Photo by John Carrel

Nebraska and Iowa’s Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Posted 03/10/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Federal, Great American Rail-Trail, Iowa, Nebraska, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability

Floating sinuously over America’s longest waterway, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge straddles the Missouri River between bustling Omaha—Nebraska’s largest city—and the quieter-feeling hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The graceful structure, once hotly debated, played a transformational role in the riverfront’s redevelopment and continues to serve as a catalyst for upcoming projects.