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Planning for a Direct and
Safe Trail between Ames and Gilbert
by Helen D. Gunderson, Gazette editor
September 18, 2004
The Urban Fringe Plan
Story County, Boone County, the City of Ames, and the City of Gilbert
are developing an urban fringe plan.
The deadline for public input is September 30, 2004.
The plan includes transportation corridors, including one along
Highway 69 between Ames and the Casey's corner a mile east of Gilbert. A
transportation corridor is a loose term that generally applies to how
land along a major artery such as a highway or railroad can be used.
A Trail Corridor
There should be at least one other transportation corridor between Ames
and Gilbert. The most important one would be a bicycle/walking trail
area just east of the Union Pacific Railroad right of way between
Gilbert and Ames.
The plan should specify that the strip of land be used for the trail
and related transportation, environmental, and recreational purposes.
Otherwise, as development creeps into the area, any trail system between
the two towns would be extremely circuitous and/or impeded by street
traffic. However, if the area is designated for a trail, then bicyclists
and walkers can have a relatively direct and safe route between the two
cities.
The trail would be for:
- Gilbert students and teachers who live in north Ames to ride to
the Gilbert schools;
- Iowa State University students and staff living in Gilbert to ride
to the ISU campus;
- general transportation such as going to church, attending concerts
and other cultural events,running errands,
meeting with an attorney, seeing a doctor, or visiting friends;
- recreation and fitness activities;
- Gilbert residents to connect with the trail system at Hayden Park;
- Gilbert residents to travel to other Ames recreational facilities
such as the Carr swimming pool or the Brookside skateboard park.
- Ames, Gilbert, and county residents to travel to area golf
courses.
The trail could also enhance the economic development of Gilbert
(i.e. Ames people can bike along a safe and scenic route to Gilbert on a
Saturday afternoon for a hamburger or sandwich and visit the new
businesses along Main Street.)
Also, with the new equestrian facilities halfway between Ames and
Gilbert near the railroad tracks, it is conceivable that a dual trail
system could be designed for use by horseback riders as well as
bicyclists and pedestrians. Of course, that would take additional
planning to deal with the extra challenges, obtain a wider strip of
land, and raise funds for the dual trails.
History of the Trail Idea
At joint meetings between the City of Ames and the City of Gilbert a
couple of years ago, the idea of such a trail was discussed. Each city
voted to authorize a joint study committee to determine the feasibility
of such a trail. The committee met at least two times. It decided the
most important step was to get the landowners on board for the project,
either to sell or donate property for the trail. Some persons, who were
part of the joint committee, continue to make inroads with the property
owners and develop a plan.
Fortunately, there is some federal legislation on the horizon in the
transportation bill that could help make such a trail become a reality.
For further information, contact
John Lloyd, Gilbert's city administrator.
Input for the Urban Fringe Plan
Copies of the Draft Urban Fringe Plan are available on-line
(please note that this is a large document that may take some time to
download) or may be reviewed in person at any of the following
locations:
- Ames City Hall (Planning and Housing Department),
- Ames Public Library,
- Boone County Courthouse (Planning and Development Department),
- Gilbert City Hall,
- Story County Administration Building (Planning and Zoning
Department),
- Boone Public Library
Written comments may be delivered by September 30,
2004, to the following address:
Story County Planning and Zoning
Fringe
Area Comments
900 6th Street Nevada, Iowa 50201
or
planningandzoning@storycounty.com.
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