Project Application

Iowa Federal Recreational Trails Program

This project proposes to enhance the forty-one miles of the Des Moines River Water Trail through Van Buren County by improving access points, adding sanitary facilities as required, adding signage both on highways and on the river and providing information kiosks at each access point.

Project Costs

Total Cost, $89,454

Trails Fund, $63,359

Applicant Funds, $9,017

Other Sources, $17,078

Estimated Project Development Schedule

Start: October 1, 2003 Completion: September 30, 2005

The Des Moines River through Van Buren County has been used for many of the activities proposed for years. This project proposes to improve and enhance its value as a recreational, historical, cultural and educational experience by making the river more accessible, safer and easier to use.

 

Project Justification

Currently users of the water trail experience one or more of the following problems:

  1. There is a lack of signage to help users identify where they are on the river. There are several similar bridges along undeveloped river boundaries with no ready way to tell where one is located.
  2. There is currently no ramp access between Selma and Austin Park, a river distance of 14 miles. The addition of the access ramp at Douds will also provide river access by the Douds Fire Department and First Responders in case there is a need for rescue or medical assistance by someone on the river in that area. Now there is no way to put a boat into the river at Douds (See letter describing this need from the Douds Fire Department in Attachment L).
  3. Several of the sites do not now have adequate sanitary facilities. With access points limited, the availability of suitable facilities at all points is both a necessity for the users of the River Water Trail and an environmental improvement. This project will help further this goal.
  4. Information about area services, facilities, recreational opportunities and historical sites is not now available except at a couple of sites along the river. Information is generally available only at information centers at locations such as hotels and service stations, not near the river itself.

In addition to helping resolve the problems described. The development of the Water Trail through Van Buren will support statewide and regional plans for development of the Des Moines River as a recreational and historical resource for Iowa. Its further development will facilitate increased tourism and recreational use of the Des Moines River across Iowa. It will offer increased opportunity for understanding the history of this part of Iowa, since so much of Iowa’s history is based in the rivers that bound and cross the state.

Completion of the proposed project will help make use of the river as a Water Trail a safer, healthier activity for Iowans and visitors. Safety enhancements include better identification of river sites, more access to points to leave/enter the river for both users and emergency workers, sanitary facilities that will provide for neater, cleaner access areas and more convenience for River users.

Project Selection Criteria Point System

The degree of innovative trail sharing to accommodate motorized and non-motorized use

As a water trail on the Des Moines River, the trail will accommodate both motorized (boats, water skis and snow-mobiles) and non-motorized uses (row-boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, tube floats, cross-country skiing and horseback) under appropriate weather and water conditions.

The number of compatible user groups allowed on the facility

The water trail provides for all types of aquatic or water activities during the spring, summer and fall, snowmobiling or cross-country skiing in winter, horseback riding in low water conditions. It is compatible with other user groups at the point where the River Water Trail intersects with other trails in the county. Other sports enthusiasts can combine activities by use of the water trail in conjunction with other trails and facilities in the county. These include hiking trails and bicycling.

The facilitation of access for use by persons with disabilities, older citizens, economically disadvantages and other special groups

Since the water trail has no user fee, completion of this project will facilitate access by all groups named. The additional sanitary facilities planned will accommodate persons with disabilities and older citizens.

The development of trail linkages

The Des Moines River Water Trail will link with numerous existing trails in Van Buren County. These linkages are at the following points:

The creation of opportunities for new partnerships

The development of the Des Moines River Water Trail provides opportunities for partnerships between trail users, private interests and public agencies, as documented in the numerous letters of support for the grant.

Trail users will include the Van Buren County Trails Assn., Inc., which is the co-sponsor of this application, the Villages of Van Buren, which sponsors the Canoe Van Buren event each year, and many private citizens, several of whom have written supporting personal letters.

Private Interests supporting the trail include businesses all across the county. The trail will enhance opportunities for canoe, kayaking and rafting outfitters such as the two now in Van Buren County. These are Hawkeye Canoe Rental of Keosauqua and Riverview Campground and Canoes of Farmington. Numerous small businesses have expressed their support. Many will benefit from increased business trade resulting from any increase in the use of the Des Moines River Water Trail through Van Buren County. The Keosauqua Lions Club and Rotary Club also support the project as enhancing recreational activities for their members and the community.

Public agencies supporting the water trail include the Van Buren County Conservation Board, which is sponsoring the application, and the City Councils of Keosauqua, Farmington, Bonaparte and Cantril. Community groups supporting the project include the Bentonsport Improvement Association, Bonaparte Main Street, Douds Community Club, and the Douds Fire Department.

All believe that the further development of the Des Moines River Water Trail will increase the opportunities for safe enjoyment of the river, increase tourism in the county, and increase opportunities for businesses that support activities on the Water Trail, including support services such as restaurants, lodging and service stations.

The furtherance of goals of Iowa’s SCORP, Iowa Trails 2000, or a Regional/County/Municipal plan

The 2001 Iowa SCORP (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, DNR, Parks, Recreation and Preserve Division) included twelve priorities submitted by the SCORP committee. This project furthers several priorities listed on pages 15 and 16 of the SCORP Plan, including: Better marketing of outdoor recreational opportunities … Develop partnerships between various agencies … to preserve and promote outdoor recreational opportunities, Seek additional funding … Recreational developments should be appropriate uses … need to renovate and maintain existing facilities to ensure there is equal access for all users (persons with disabilities) … focus on attracting all ages of people to Iowa …

Iowa Trails 2000 (www.dot.state.ia.us/trails/index.html) includes a State Wide Trails Vision map as figure 3.2. This map shows a vision of a trail across Van Buren County on the Des Moines River. As stated in Iowa Trails 2000, Chapter 3: … the routes depicted on the vision map denote conceptual trail corridors. The purpose of this is to allow trail implementers some flexibility in trail location and design while ensuring the connectivity of the statewide trails vision. The conceptual corridors offer recommended connection points (city-to-city) and possible routes (riverways, railroad corridors, highway corridors, etc.) based on the statewide inventory included in the Iowa Trails 2000 process.

The Des Moines River Greenbelt Commission and the 17 counties along the Des Moines River have, by resolution, established the Des Moines River Water Trail. All the County Conservation Boards along the river have endorsed the Trail. The Greenbelt Commission has established a sub-committee to develop the River Water Trail. The committee includes representatives from counties border to border, plus DNR and Army Corps of Engineers. (www.desmoinesriver.org/DM/Default.htm)

The Iowa Water Trail Association has as its purpose to support the development of water trails in Iowa. This Van Buren project has been cited as an example of projects the Association would like to see funded. (www.desmoinesriver.org/iowa_water_trail_grant.htm)

Regionally, the Iowa DNR promotes canoeing the Des Moines River from Lake Red Rock to the Mississippi River, which includes across Van Buren County. (See brochure provided by DNR)

Locally, the Des Moines River has been the center of trail development planning both along and on the river for some years. For example, both existing and proposed bicycling facilities have paralleled the River in the planning of the Villages of Van Buren since 1996. The Villages of Van Buren strongly supports this project as the letter in Attachment L documents.

The usage of grant funds to leverage other investments

This Federal Recreational Trails Program grant would enable the Conservation Board to receive a matching grant of $10,000 from the Van Buren County Foundation, Inc. for work on the Water Trail (excluding sanitary facilities). This commitment is included in a letter in Attachment J from Art Ovrom, Chairman.

All facilities adjacent to the water trail will be on public property. The Iowa DOT will evaluate the request for signage; if approved, DOT will provide at no cost to the project the highway signs for Iowa highways that will indicate access points for the Water Trail and two bridge signs. The County Engineers office has committed to install all signage along county roads and on county property at no charge to the project. The Douds Fire Department will provide the labor and materials required for the installation of a water hydrant at the boat ramp. The City of Farmington has agreed to maintain the sanitary facility to be installed there.

The level of citizen involvement in the project’s concept and implementation.

  1. Project Idea Origination. The plan for the Des Moines River Water Trail across Van Buren was conceived by a community group, the Van Buren County Trails Association, Inc., and individuals interested in water recreation in the county. The Trails Association has about forty members who have been involved in the plans each step over the past months. These individuals are all residents of Van Buren County, most participate in water sports, including canoeing on the Des Moines River. In fact, at least one of the planning meetings was held immediately following the Canoe Van Buren activity at Farmington. The Executive Director of the Conservation Board and the members of the Board have been actively involved in the planning.
  2. Participation by the Private Sector and other Groups. Trails Association representatives have met with the City Councils of Keosauqua, Farmington, Cantril, Mt. Serling and Bonaparte to obtain their input. They have also met with the Bentonsport Improvement Association, the Bonaparte Main Street Association, and the Douds Community Club. (Note: Douds and Bentonsport are not incorporated, so these groups are their community leadership) A member of the Board of the Villages of Van Buren is also the chair of the Planning Group that has led the development of this project for the Trails Association. As a result, the Villages of Van Buren, which promotes tourism countywide, has been involved in every phase of the project. The Van Buren County Hospital also committed their support for the project. Numerous business leaders and individuals interested in the trail have also submitted their letters of support. See all Letters of Support in Attachment L.

The degree to which the project ties into other trails, natural, cultural, historical or recreational areas

Linkages to other trails were described under 4 above.

The Des Moines River Water Trail flows through several natural areas, including the Lacey-Keosauqua Park and Shimek Forest. It can be used as an outdoor linear classroom for history, ecology, conservation, bird and wildlife study by both adults and children.

Cultural/historical lessons abound along the Des Moines River Water Trail. Attachment K is a culture and history lesson as told by local historian Ralph Arnold as he takes an imaginary canoe trip across the county … from Shidepoke at Selma to Farmington. In it we visualize Indian burial mounds, ghost towns, murders, battles, commerce and church services as they were in Van Buren’s and Iowa’s past. This is one of Mr. Arnold’s last articles, as he died September 2002.

Bentonsport and Bonaparte, both of which are on the Des Moines River Water Trail, are designated as National Historic Districts.

Recreational linkages abound. At almost every stop along the Trail, there are small towns, the Villages of Van Buren, with a variety of recreational opportunities and special events throughout the year. Selma has its monthly music jam; Douds, regular roping, barrel racing and Field Day; and Austin Park, camping facilities. Keosauqua has motels, restaurants, historical sites, shopping, camping, canoe rental, the Lacey-Keosauqua Park, and numerous special events each year. These events include the County Fair, the Flower and Garden Show, and the Fall Festival that is based both in Keosauqua and the Lacey-Keosauqua Park. The Lacey-Keosauqua State Park is also the gateway to the Lake Sugema Fish and Wildlife Area. Bentonsport has historical sites, museums, tourist businesses, a memorial garden and hiking as recreational options. Bonaparte has excellent dining, lodging, antique shopping and a small park area. The Villages cooperatively sponsor special events such as Canoe Van Buren, which is on the Des Moines River, or Bike Van Buren that touch almost every village.

The level of public, private partnerships for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the project

The Van Buren County Conservation Board has committed to operate and maintain the proposed facilities for twenty years after grant expiration, as documented in the Letter of Endorsement in Appendix G.

The City of Farmington commits to the maintenance for twenty years of the sanitary facility planned for that area.

The Villages of Van Buren commits to providing brochures and information for the kiosks to assure continually updated information.

The Douds Fire Department commits to maintain the ramp access at Douds.

The degree the project will result in the cleanup of an area