A crowd gathered in Coon Rapids, despite the wind and the heat, to celebrate the ribbon cutting and the official recognition of the city becoming an American Discovery Trail (ADT) Town designation. Coon Rapids is the third community in the entire United States to be selected as an ADT Town, which Coon Rapids Mayor Jeff Anthofer says is a testament to the dedication of the community’s hard work and the quality of hospitality that the city has to offer.
The 2.5-plus-mile trail was constructed in the 1990s, and over the years, it started showing some deterioration. In 2018, city officials began exploring options for improving the trail. The path closed down in March to allow Pave Grade to complete tree trimming, pavement milling, and adding a new layer of asphalt to the existing trail. Community Coordinator Katie Mason gave a special thanks to all the partners: Carroll County Board of Supervisors, City of Coon Rapids, Creating Great Places, Carroll County Conservation, Tim and Paige Lee, Roswell and Elizabeth Garst Foundation, Community Foundation of Carroll County/Grow Greene Foundation and Liz Garst, in memory of Steve Garst.
Pave Grade also presented a check for $2,000 to the Coon Rapids Fire Department, who assisted them in the completion of the project. Iowa Coordinator for the American Discovery Trail, Butch Niebuhr, says the trail town designation puts Coon Rapids on the map, letting recreationalist know that the community is fully capable of supporting their needs as they pass through.
The Riverside Trail is officially open to the public again. Pictures from the ceremony can be found included below.
Mayor Jeff Anthofer
Community Coordinator Katie Mason
Iowa Coordinator for American Discovery Trail- Butch Niebuhr
