Motor Mill Trail grand opening is March 20
The public is welcome to join Clayton County Conservation for the grand opening of the Motor Mill Trail this Saturday, March 20. The celebration, which will commence at 9 a.m. in the Motor Mill Campground, will recognize the neighbors along the route as well as the partners who provided strategic planning, promotion and financial support for the Motor Mill Trail project. (Submitted photo)
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The public is welcome to join Clayton County Conservation for the grand opening of the Motor Mill Trail this Saturday, March 20. The celebration, which will commence at 9 a.m. in the Motor Mill Campground, will recognize the neighbors along the route as well as the partners who provided strategic planning, promotion and financial support for the Motor Mill Trail project.
“The project has been a long time coming,” said Jenna Pollock, executive director of the Clayton County Conservation Board.
The trail project was originally awarded a combined $850,000 in grant funds nearly a decade ago through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and State Recreation Trails (SRT), but the idea dates back much farther.
“Thirty years ago the vision started, and then these federal and state funds have been sitting there since 2011,” said Pollock, who wanted to help push the project along when she joined Clayton County Conservation. “We encountered a few snags with alignment concerns, so I’m glad to see it finally operational as a trail system within Clayton County.”
In addition to the grant funds, the more than $1 million Motor Mill Trail project also received donation support from over two dozen individuals, organizations and businesses. CJ Moyna and Sons was the primary contractor, and subcontractors included Streicher Excavating, Tara Erosion Control LLC, Iowa Plains Signing, Inc., 4J Fence Company and Manatt’s Inc.
The Motor Mill Trail starts at Turkey River Park near Elkader, then heads south along Iowa Highway 13 for two miles as six-foot-wide bike lane shoulders on the north- and west-bound lanes. The bike lane shoulder work is an asphalt overlay and extension installed by River City Paving. According to Pollock, the DOT approached the conservation board with this partnership opportunity to bring the trail out of Elkader.
“Partnering with the DOT has been very helpful,” she said.
From Iowa Highway 13, the trail travels southeast for 1.4 miles along Grandview Road, then .7 miles southeast along Grandview Loop, .4 miles southeast on Grandview Road and .9 miles east overland toward the Motor Mill Historic District accessible on Galaxy Road. Pollock said this Grandview Road and overland trail was constructed as a 10-foot-wide granular trail, with the majority of the trail separated from the road and set into the backslope of the county road right-of-way.
The Motor Mill Trail project connects existing green spaces like Founders Park, Turkey River Park, Elkader City Park, Pony Hollow Trail, Motor Mill Historic Site, Retz Woods and the state-designated Turkey River Water Trail.
It is also part of a bigger vision to fuse the Regional Backbone Trail and connect Howard, Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton counties to the Minnesota and Wisconsin Trail Systems.
“It’s encouraging to see one phase done, and I’m excited to start working toward the next phase,” said Pollock.
These connections are important as Clayton County looks to attract new residents and grow recreational tourism.
“The amenities provide business opportunities and economic development, plus health and wellness benefits,” Pollock stressed. “We’re really excited about this ‘recreational byway’ that connects Elkader to Motor Mill, but also an opportunity for multi-modal recreation. Paddlers have an opportunity to paddle between the two destinations. The Motor Mill Trail is a complement to the existing state designated water trail (Turkey River Water Trail) in the Turkey River Recreational Corridor.”
Saturday’s grand opening will also serve as the official start of the annual Motor Motor 5K race. With the construction of the Motor Mill Trail, organizers been able to add a 10K race option that follows the Motor Mill Trail. The traditional 5K race will follow the rugged, single-track trails that mirror the river valley at Motor Mill. Visit the events tab at www.claytoncountyconservation.org to learn more or to register for the race.
