REAP GRANT APPLICATION Email Application to [email protected] by August 15Th by 4:30 P.M

REAP GRANT APPLICATION Email Application to Tammie.Krausman@Dnr.Iowa.Gov by August 15Th by 4:30 P.M

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Resource Enhancement and Protection

REAP GRANT APPLICATION Email application to [email protected] by August 15th by 4:30 P.M.

Please use the following format for the electronic application: • Application should be one file (including all appendices, letters, etc.), saved as a pdf. • Name file: ApplicantName.Shortprojectname.FY17.pdf • File cannot exceed 20MB or 20,480KB. Compressed pdfs will be accepted.

1. GRANT PROGRAM Private/Public Open Space County Conservation City Parks and Open Spaces (For Private/Public - Name of DNR Field Staff involved in project: ) 2. APPLICATION CONTACT APPLICANT: City of Eldora CONTACT PERSON: Dave Mitchell EMAIL: [email protected] TELEPHONE: 641-939-2393 APPLICANT MAILING ADDRESS: 1442 Washington St. CITY & ZIP CODE: Eldora, Iowa 50627 PROJECT 911 ADDRESS (if available): COUNTY: Hardin LATITUDE/LONGITUDE COORDINATES: 42.361565, -93.104411 (To find Lat/Long Coordinates: Go to Google Map. Right-click on the primary public access point for the project. Select What's here? In the search box at the top of the page, the coordinates will appear.) 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION & COSTS a. TITLE: Iowa River Trail Improvements in Eldora b. PROJECT SUMMARY: (Maximum of 75 words summarizing the REAP Grant request) The City of Eldora proposes to pave a 10 ft wide hard surface trail totaling 990 ft in length. This will connect to the 290 ft of the Iowa River Trail that is already paved in the City of Eldora. The trail is part of the larger Iowa River Trail project.

c. TYPE OF PROJECT AND COSTS: (For activities associated with this grant request only). Land acquisition* Costs related to land acquisition: $ Development Costs related to development: $ 75,000 Other, please describe: Costs related to other activities: $ AMOUNT OF REAP GRANT REQUESTED: $ 75,000 d. Amount of local or match money*: $0 *25% minimum match is required for Private/Public Program only. No match is required for city and county grants. 4. PROJECT TIMELINE a. Is the project a portion of a larger, overall project to be implemented over a multi-year period? No Yes, Number of years: Estimated overall cost: b. ESTIMATED PROJECT DATES December 31, Start: January 1, 2019 Completion: 2020

06/2016 cmc 1 DNR Form 542-0279

5. ACQUISITION SCHEDULE (Acquisition Projects Only)

Estimated Value Estimated Parcel Estimated Average of Land Value of Number # of Code* Date of Price Per Acquisition Existing Total Cost on Map Acres Acquisition Acre without Improvements or Photo incidentals to be Acquired

TOTAL TOTAL Parcels &

Acres Appraisal Costs Survey Costs *Code: 1. Negotiated Purchase Other Incidental Costs 2. Condemnation Grant Total Land Acquisition Cost 3. Donation Overall Cost per Acre Including Incidental

6. SIGNATURES Upon signing in the space provided below, the applicant agrees to conform with the requirements in the following two paragraphs pertaining to ADA/Section 504 accessibility guidelines and civil rights assurance. (City and County Projects Only)

ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS

I, the undersigned, certify that the [City of Eldora or County Conservation Board] has reviewed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975, Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965, each Act as amended, and agrees to abide by all requirements from the Acts, associated regulations, guidance documents, and to any other related requirement imposed by federal or state law or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, related to this project. Applicant- Recipient further agrees and gives full assurance that it will immediately take any and all measures necessary to effectuate the referenced laws and shall not, on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, age, physical or mental ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or retaliation, allow any person to be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise subject to discrimination under or from any project or activity undertaken by the Applicant-Recipient for which the Applicant-Recipient receives REAP grant dollars or other assistance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

06/2016 cmc 2 DNR Form 542-0279

COUNTY RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE REVIEW/COMMENTS (Required for all grants) I, the undersigned, verify that the Hardin County Resource Enhancement Committee reviewed the proposed project for which this application is submitted. If the committee provided comments, a summary of those comments has been signed and dated by me and attached to this application.

Signature of Chair, County Resource Enhancement Committee Date For information on County REAP Committees, visit the REAP County Committee webpage.

MINORITY IMPACT STATEMENT (Required for all grants) Pursuant to 2008 Iowa Acts, HF 2393, Iowa Code Section 8.11, all grant applications submitted to the State of Iowa which are due beginning January 1, 2009 shall include a Minority Impact Statement. This is the state’s mechanism to require grant applicants to consider the potential impact of the grant project’s proposed programs or policies on minority groups. Please choose the statement(s) that pertains to this grant application. Complete all the information requested for the chosen statement(s). The proposed grant project programs or policies could have a disproportionate or unique positive impact on minority persons. • Describe the positive impact expected from this project: • Indicate which group is impacted: Women Latinos American Indians Persons with a Disability Asians Alaskan Native Americans Blacks Pacific Islanders Other

The proposed grant project programs or policies could have a disproportionate or unique negative impact on minority persons. • Describe the negative impact expected from this project: • Present the rationale for the existence of the proposed program or policy: • Provide evidence of consultation of representatives of the minority groups impacted: • Indicate which group is impacted: Women Latinos American Indians Persons with a Disability Asians Alaskan Native Americans Blacks Pacific Islanders Other

The proposed grant project programs or policies are not expected to have a disproportionate or unique impact on minority persons.

Present the rationale for determining no impact: The Iowa River Trail will be free to the public and open to all persons of every heritage and/or ethnicity. Moreover, the gentle slope of the pre-existing rail grade does not exceed 5%, making it an easily accessible amenity for transportation and outdoor recreation for all ages and capabilities.

06/2016 cmc 3 DNR Form 542-0279 DEFINITIONS “Disability” as defined in Iowa Code § 15.201(12)“b”(1) means “with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual, a record of physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual, or being regarded as an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual. “Disability” does not include any of the following: (a) Homosexuality or bisexuality. (b) Transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identify disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or sexual behavior disorders. (c) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania (d) Psychoactive substance abuse disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs.

“Major life activity” as defined in Iowa Code section 15.102(12)”b”(2) includes “functions such as caring for one’ self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working.” “Minority Persons” as defined by Iowa Code section 8.11(2)“b” means “individuals who are women, persons with a disability, African Americans, Latinos, Asian or Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaskan Native Americans.”

06/2016 cmc 4 DNR Form 542-0279 I. Project Location

The project will pave 990 feet of the Iowa River Trail within the City of Eldora in Hardin County, connecting the newly paved section to 290 feet of existing paved trail. The trail paving will begin north of 12th Avenue, paving 290 feet between 12th and 11th Avenue. The trail intersects 11th Avenue, which is already paved, and picks up again north of 11th Street. The project will pave an additional 700 feet of trail north of 11th Street. The project is part of the larger Iowa River Trail project. The trail project will eventually connect to the Eldora Trail in the City of Eldora and ultimately connect trail users with Pine Lake State Park.

City of Eldora Project Location

Existing paved trail Proposed trail improvement area to be paved

06/2016 cmc 5 DNR Form 542-0279 II. Project Description

The main goal of the project is to begin trail development of the Iowa River Trail within the City of Eldora. The project will pave 990 feet of the Iowa River Trail within the City of Eldora, connecting the newly paved section to 290 feet of existing paved trail. The trail paving will begin north of 12th Avenue, paving 290 feet between 12th and 11th Avenue. The trail intersects 11th Avenue, which is already paved, and picks up again north of 11th Street. The project will pave an additional 700 feet of trail north of 11th Street.

Project site: (left) Unimproved ballast trail to be paved at 12th Avenue facing north; (right) Paved trail at 12th Avenue facing south (right)

Project site: (left) Unimproved ballast trail to be paved at 11th Avenue facing north; (right) Unimproved ballast trail to be paved at 11th Avenue facing south (right).

The City of Eldora is a great destination for trail users to access Pine Lake State Park as well as a picturesque downtown square that serves as the hub for local businesses, restaurants and bars. Eldora can become a destination on the 34-mile Iowa River Trail for users who would like to start, end, or take a break during their trail journey with food or drink. The proposed project will create trail connectivity between Pine Lake State Park and the Iowa River Trail and will increase trail traffic. The 34 miles Iowa River Trail corridor connects with the Pine Lake State Park Trail on the eastern side of Eldora.

06/2016 cmc 6 DNR Form 542-0279 III. Development Plan, Project Boundary Map and Aerial Photo The project will pave 990 feet of the Iowa River Trail within the City of Eldora from 12th Avenue going north up to just past 9th Avenue. The project is shown as part of the overall Iowa River Trail in a map in Appendix A.

City of Eldora Project Location

Existing paved trail Proposed trail improvement area to be paved

The proposed project will improve 990 linear feet of trail in Eldora. Future project goals include: • Continuing trail pavement to the north up to the intersection of 6th Avenue and farther north. • Trail development of other portions of the Iowa River Trail, including south to Union and down to Marshalltown. • Adding additional signage and trailhead development to increase trail visibility and marketing. Signs and trailheads will have a unifying theme throughout the Iowa River Trail and will be part of a larger grant that was secured from the National Endowment for the Arts by the City of Marshalltown.

06/2016 cmc 7 DNR Form 542-0279 IV. Project Benefits, Needs, Justification and Urgency

Connecting to Pine Lake State Park Eldora greatly benefits from the visitors Pine Lake State Park. The more the city can connect to the park, the greater the benefits are to the town. Consisting of 650 acres, Pine Lake State Park is one of the state’s most popular parks, with an estimated 240,000 visitors every year. It is known as one of Iowa’s most diverse parks, offering hiking trails, bicycle trails, river and lake access, four-season cabins, enclosed and open shelters, swimming, boating, and a 128-acre campsite. Pine Lake State Park would be an attractive destination to bikers, families and trail users of all ages and abilities.

Pine Lake State Park contains an island in the lake created by a ridge in the Pine Creek Valley that was not completely submerged when the dam was built. From a historical and archaeological perspective, the park contains three documented Native American burial mounds and a documented archaic campsite dating back 3,200 years. The centerpiece of Pine Lake State Park is the lake itself, which was the first artificial lake in the state of Iowa. The beach, 11 bathhouse, cabins, lodge, lower lake hiking trail, and footbridges were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933-1943.

The upper dam was built in 1934 to reduce sedimentation into the main lake. The value of the lake is important to the state and as a result extensive renovation of park facilities began in the 1990s with the replacement of the lower dam and spillway and repair to the upper dam. Enough of the watershed was finally protected in 1997 to allow the lake to be dredged. The four Civilian Conservation Corps cabins were renovated in 1992-1993 after being closed since 1979. An estimated 3,500-4,000 individuals use the cabins each year.

The proposed trail improvement aims to attract visitors from Pine Lake State Park to use the trail section near Eldora. Trail improvements and future trail development would also increase trail use for those using the trail to access Pine Lake State Park from another nearby community.

Connecting to Other Recreation Infrastructure Eldora and the surrounding area has a unique collection of natural spaces and recreation infrastructure that trail development could enhance. In addition to Pine Lake State Park, Pine Lake State Park West is across from the main park and features 68 acres of land that was acquired in 2001. The area features a campground, cabins and beach. Pine Lake State Park West consists of about 2/3 reconstructed prairie and 1/3 woodland that includes sandstone bluffs and a deep ravine extending to the Iowa River. The area supports a variety of wildlife habitats and natural resource protection.

Gunderson Nature Park is located adjacent to Pine Lake State Park West and features 25 acres of prairie, wetland and mixed woodlands. The park was established to provide public enjoyment, wildlife habitat and water quality benefits. The park features a paved trail loop, prairie reconstruction, tree planting and butterfly habitat. Future improvements will include wetland restoration and a wetland viewing platform. There is a mowed path encircling the wetland and around the property.

The Iowa River Greenbelt runs directly through Eldora and very near to the trail improvement area. The greenbelt exists on the banks of the Iowa River for 42 miles and traverses the Hardin County communities of Alden, Iowa Falls, Steamboat Rock, Eldora and Union. The proposed trail improvements would help to connect trail users to all of these existing recreation opportunities.

06/2016 cmc 8 DNR Form 542-0279 Providing Economic Development Opportunities Eldora is uniquely situation to benefit from increased trail traffic immediately. Several locally-owned restaurants exist in Eldora, both near the trail improvements and on the historic Eldora square. Existing businesses include: • Firehouse Saloon and Grill • Ahoy Fountain (old fashioned soda fountain and café) • Love a Latte Coffee and Tea House • Eldora Pizza and Steak House

As a whole, it is expected that the Iowa River Trail project will generate more visitor traffic in the communities through which it traverses. A study was done in 2017 by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and CyBiz Labs at Iowa State University on trail traffic and its economic impact of the High Trestle Trail. According to this study, an average of 246,193 annual trail users traveled the trail in years 2013, 2014 and 2015. All businesses in the trail area reported that they felt they benefitted from the trail being near their business, 80% felt that the trail increased their business traffic, 67% reported increased revenue from trail traffic and 60% believed that people were more aware of their business as a result of the trail. Trail traffic could not only provide a bump for existing businesses. It could also provide the right business environment to stimulate more local businesses to open and thrive as a result of the trail.

Trail traffic could also be greatly stimulated by visitors to Pine Lake State Park. One study showed that the average number of visitors and campers to Pine Lake State Park from 2007-2010 totaled 327,134 visitors and 17,474 campers. The average expenditures for each year from 2007-2010 for both sectors totaled $18,920,542 (Iowa State, Economic Value, 31). The creation of the Iowa River Trail will further the accessibility of Pine Lake State Park to trail users, increasing the number of visitors, campers, and expenditures for the park and local businesses.

Public Benefit The proposed project will directly benefit residents of Eldora (pop 2,706) as well as the surrounding communities of Union (pop 397) and Liscomb (pop 301) to the south and Steamboat Rock (pop 310) to the north. As the Iowa River Trail is developed, communities in both Hardin and Marshall Counties will benefit through the great recreation infrastructure as well as increaesed tourism opportunities.

According to the State Conservation Outdoor Recreation Plan, family-oriented outdoor activities are a major interest for Iowa residents. In 2012, 52% of Iowans said that they participated in family-oriented outdoor recreation activities. One great family-oriented outdoor activity is biking; however, families want safe biking opportunities that are not on active roadways. The Iowa River Trail provides a great, active, family-friendly recreation opportunity and Eldora is a great jumping off point for the Iowa River Trail. Many people already come to Eldora to access Pine Lake State Park. The state park, a gem of Iowa, is a draw for families in the region and well as hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. Trail improvement would serve as a safe connection to get trail users from Pine Lake State Park onto the Iowa River Trail. See Appendix B for a map showing current trail infrastructure in the area and how the proposed project will help to connect Pine Lake State Park visitors to the Iowa River Trail.

Increasing Access to Wildlife The Iowa River Valley in Hardin County is a very special and unique area in central Iowa. Three geologic landforms converge in this region: the Des Moines Lobe, Iowan Surface and Southern Iowa Drift Plain. This result has produced an area that has many scenic qualities, topographical changes and plant communities.

Iowa’s Wildlife Action Plan includes a goal to increase the number of Iowan participating in wildlife- associated recreation by 50% by 2030, especially on public lands near their homes. This project provides a

06/2016 cmc 9 DNR Form 542-0279 great opportunity for increasing wildlife-associated recreation to communities near Eldora in Hardin County. Rather than driving to Pine Lake State Park from in town or a nearby community, local residents may decide to use the trail to access the park. Trail users will be able to choose another mode of transportation to get to the park, and they may have the chance to experience wildlife viewing along the way.

Protecting Native Plant Communities and Connecting Wildlife Corridors According to Iowa’s Wildlife Action Plan, it is a goal of the state to have native plant communities in both large and small blocks. The Hardin County Trails Commission hired a professional consulting firm to conduct a formal survey of the vegetation and plant communities along a 28-mile stretch of the trail from May through June 2018. The survey looked at both sides of the right-of-way to gain a better understanding of the trail's ecological condition, importance, plant diversity and any notable species. See Appendix C for more information about and findings from the vegetation survey.

Along 28 miles of the Iowa River Trail corridor, over 200 unique species were inventoried. Nine different plant ecosystems were identified, including xeric (dry), wet prairies, wetlands, oak savannas and sedge meadows. The ecosystem in the immediate project area is grass and turf with about ten unique species surveyed due to its location within a residential neighborhood. Areas just north of the project area see a large increase in unique plant species.

V. Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts of Project

Environmental Eldora is uniquely situated within a network of water bodies: Beaver Creek and Otter Creek to the west, and the Iowa River, Pine Lake and Upper Pine Lake to the east. Eldora also has several notable conservation areas that are permanently protected, including Pine Lake State Park, Pine Lake State Park West and Gunderson Nature Park. It is important for wildlife to have paths or corridors through which they can travel to access water bodies and habitats. In the project area, the existing railway corridor is 100 feet wide and functions as a wildlife corridor. The Iowa River Trail project, and especially the connection to the Eldora Trail in town, will be an important link for animals that must travel between fragmented habitats.

The plant survey previously mentioned found approximately ten unique plant species in the project area. Because this is an urban area, most of the proposed project area is grass or turf.

Economic The development of the Iowa River Trail will provide the economic diversification that is crucial to protect the health of local economies. In 2012, Iowa State University published the study, Economic Value of Outdoor Recreation Activities in Iowa. The goal of the study was to develop a comprehensive profile of Iowa’s outdoor recreational resources, the current levels of participation, and the economic impact associated with those outdoor recreation activities.

The information gathered for Pine Lake State Park showed that the average number of visitors and campers from 2007-2010 totaled 327,134 visitors and 17,474 campers. The average expenditures for each year from 2007-2010 for both sectors totaled $18,920,542 (Iowa State, Economic Value, 31). The creation of the Iowa River Trail will further the accessibility of Pine Lake State Park to trail users, increasing the number of visitors, campers, and expenditures for the park and local businesses.

Eldora has several local business, restaurants and bars that could benefit immediately from trail development and increased trail traffic. Firehouse Saloon and Grill, a locally-owned restaurant, is within two blocks of proposed trail improvements. Ahoy Fountain, a local, old-fashioned soda fountain and restaurant located on the Eldora square just ¼ mile away from trail improvements, could become a destination for trail

06/2016 cmc 10 DNR Form 542-0279 users. Other local businesses on the square, Love a Latte Coffee and Tea House and Eldora Pizza and Steak House, also stand to benefit from increased customer traffic from the trail.

Social The proposed trail will benefit the community of Eldora. New Providence Elementary School (276 students) and New Providence High School (287 students) are both located in Eldora. Students and their families would benefit from trail improvements and a trail connection to Pine Lake State Park. Eldora Municipal Park is located approximate ½ mile away from trail improvements. This complex provides many great amenities, including tennis courts, a pool and a large wooden castle playground. The Iowa River Trail would provide an addition recreation opportunity to these park users. Pine Lake State Park generates an average of 327,134 visitors per year. Some of these visitors may become trail users who would like to add a biking trip to their park visit. Residents from surrounding communities on the Iowa River Trail would greatly benefit from trail improvements and further Iowa River Trail development. The trail project gives them a destination to visit, Eldora eateries and Pine Lake State Park, when using the trail. The trail improvements would benefit all of these groups and increase the quality of recreation opportunities in the area.

VI. Historical, Archaeological and Architectural Features/Impacts The rail line was completed in 1869. Iowa River Railroad ran the last freight train on the route in 2012, and rails and ties on the railroad bed were removed in 2013. There are no known archaeological findings in the trail area. The trail development project does not involve any structural demolition and will require very minimal preparation of the ground before paving.

VII. Local Participation The Iowa River Trail has been openly discussed in the Hardin and Marshall County areas since February 2013. There was an initial public meeting to discuss the possible project. There were many open city and county meetings after then to discuss the project. Few of the adjacent property owners along the corridor have voiced any strong opposition to the project. All cities along the route have supported REAP applications for project development. There is strong support for the project development. See the letter of support from the City of Eldora in Appendix D.

VIII. Considerations Given to Minorities, Elderly and Disabled The site will be open to all people. The trail will provide accessibility to the mobility-impaired as well as parents with strollers. The trail can be accessed off of 12th Street or 11th Street in town with ample parking available. All Eldora parks are open to all people.

IX. Itemized Costs

Project Component Description Project REAP Total Cost Request Trail surface paving 990 linear feet of paved trail at $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 Trail maintenance City of Eldora will maintain the area by In kind $0 $0 mowing to keep the trail appealing to users Total $75,000 $75,000 $75,000

See Appendix E for information about the cost of trail paving per mile.

06/2016 cmc 11 DNR Form 542-0279 X. Public Communications The City of Eldora will hold a ribbon cutting event for this project. The IDNR and REAP staff will be invited and recognized for their contributions to the project. REAP signs will be prominently displayed at the start of the improved trail at 12th Avenue in Eldora. These signs will include information about the importance of the project for expected users via a map illustrating the connections of seven cities and two counties along the scenic Iowa River and the link with other regional trail assets.

XI. Agreements and Easements

In 2013, Hardin County and the City of Marshalltown acquired the former Iowa River Railroad’s 34-mile corridor that extends from downtown Marshalltown to north of Steamboat Rock. This corridor is railbanked, in accordance with the National Trail System Act.

Marshalltown owns 15 miles of the trail within Marshalltown and Marshall County, and Hardin County owns 19 miles. Collectively, the two agencies are working with a regional steering committee that includes representation from the seven cities along the trail (Marshalltown, Liscomb, Albion, Union, Gifford Eldora, Steamboat Rock), Hardin County, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the Region 6 Planning Commission, and a local non-profit of trail enthusiasts (Trails, Inc).

The overall maintenance agreement on the trail in included in Appendix F. Section 2 of the agreement states that Hardin County Trails Commission is responsible for the Iowa River Trail maintenance across Hardin County.

XII. County Resource Enhancement Committee Comments No comments were received from the county Resource Enhancement Committee. The chairperson has reviewed and signed the application in Section 6.

06/2016 cmc 12 DNR Form 542-0279 Appendix A – Overall Iowa River Trail Project

06/2016 cmc 13 DNR Form 542-0279 Appendix B – Key Trail Infrastructure and Connections

Two key shared-use trails exist in and near Eldora. The first and longest is Pine Lake State Park Trail that connects Eldora to Steamboat Springs and traverses through Pine Lake State Park. The second trail is the Eldora Trail, an arched trail (approximately .35 miles) that was improved with crushed limestone and serves to connect the rail trail bed (foundation for the Iowa River Trail) on the west side of town with the Pine Lake State Park Trail on the east of town. The project serves an important role in connecting the Iowa River Trail to a great recreation opportunity, Pine Lake State Park. Trail users will eventually be able to connect to 6th Avenue from the Iowa River Trail and ride for four blocks until reaching the Eldora Trail. Then, users can ride east on 11th Avenue for three blocks until reaching the St. Mary’s Cemetery and ultimately connecting with the Pine Lake State Park trail.

Map of Existing Shared-use Trails in and Near Eldora

Source: Iowa Bikes Interactive Map, Iowa DOT, https://iowadot.gov/iowabikes/bikemap/home.aspx

How Project Connects Existing Trails and Iowa River Trail Infrastructure

06/2016 cmc 14 DNR Form 542-0279 Appendix C – Vegetation Survey Findings

The Hardin County Trails Commission hired a professional consulting firm, Leeward Solutions LLC (more information at www.leewardecology.com), to conduct a formal survey of the vegetation and plant communities along a 28-mile stretch of the trail from May through June 2018. The survey looked at both sides of the right-of-way to gain a better understanding of the trail's ecological condition, importance, plant diversity and any notable species.

This screen shot of .kml points in Google Earth shows the extent and detail of the vegetation survey. The entire survey resulted in 427 data points that detailed at each site the ecosystem type, dominant species, majority and minority species, complete botanical species survey and any trail conditions or notes for that specific area.

In the project area of 990 feet of trail length, the survey found a primarily turf/lawn ecosystem with around 10 species that are commonly found in urban environments.

06/2016 cmc 15 DNR Form 542-0279 Appendix D – Letter of Support

06/2016 cmc 16 DNR Form 542-0279 Appendix E – Paving Per Square Foot Estimate

06/2016 cmc 17 DNR Form 542-0279 Appendix F – Trail Maintenance Agreement

06/2016 cmc 18 DNR Form 542-0279