Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HERITAGE TRAIL
HERITAGE TRAIL. Twenty-six miles long with a maximum of one percent grade, the trail was located on the former right-of-way of the Chicago and Great Western Railroad. When the railroad announced plans to abandon the route, Iowa Rails to Trails successfully raised the necessary funds and overcame the opposition of adjoining landowners to acquire the land. A trail was established which was subsequently given to Dubuque County. Heritage Trail started at Sageville and ran through Durango, Twin Springs, Graf, and Dyersville.
In the fall of 1996 the city received a transportation grant to construct the North End Neighborhood Trail from 32nd to 22nd street along a railroad corridor. Dubuque County received a similar grant to extend Heritage Trail from north of the city limits to 32nd street along a similar corridor.
In October 1996 the city applied for a state transportation grant to extend the trail from E. 22nd Street south to the MINES OF SPAIN STATE RECREATIONAL AREA. The total cost of the project was $461,086. The local share of $138,326 was expected through private donations matched with city money. The 10.6 mile trail, including off-road bike paths, painted lanes on city streets, and routes marked with signs, would connect EAGLE POINT PARK, ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM, Hawthorne Street Peninsula, Miller-Riverview Park, ICE HARBOR, SHOT TOWER, and Murphy Park.
In the spring of 1997 the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission awarded the city a grant of more than $320,000 for the proposed southern section of the trail. When completed, the entire route would allow people to walk or ride up to 36 miles from Dyersville to the Mines of Spain Recreation Area.
---
Source:
Reber, Craig. "Pedal Pushers on a New Trail," Telegraph Herald, October 5, 1997, p. 8F. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19971005&printsec=frontpage&hl=en