The Washington County Conservation Board is now pursuing different options for funding a new trail loop after a grant application was denied earlier this month.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Iowa was given $5 million in federal dollars to help fund the construction of recreational trails. Washington County Conservation applied for a $1.25 million grant to help create the 1.5 mile Northridge Trail Loop in the Southtown development area in Kalona. Conservation Executive Director Zach Rozmus says the Iowa Transportation Commission had decided to fund projects that were underway or in place rather than fund new ventures. Rozmus explains that the board will continue to pursue other options to finance this project because of the impact this can have on the community, “I think the northern half of the community has proven time and time again that they want access to those types of trails. So I think it’s going to be pertinent for not only the conservation board but also the City of Kalona and other partners to continue to try and find ways to finance this project.” 

Rozmus added that the biggest impact from this will come later down the road. While the board still plans to move forward with this project, the lack of funds could force the construction to be broken up into phases. Surveying and grading for the trail has already been done by C.J. Moyna and Sons Construction as part of the larger residential and recreational development located at the former Shiloh complex.