The Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT), which stretches through Waukee and several other nearby communities, has been inducted into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame!
The 89-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail is a loop connecting Waukee, Adel, Redfield, Panora, Jamaica, Perry and Minburn. A portion of the trail also extends to Jefferson. The trail received a record number of public votes during the annual contest (more than 38,000).
"This trail is an invaluable asset to the entire country and an engine for health, wellness, tourism and economic activity for the communities it serves," said Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Vice President of Communications Brandi Horton.
The trail, which opened in 1989, attracts more than 350,000 visitors a year. Plans are in the works to connect the trail to the High Trestle Trail, which has a trailhead in Woodward.
"Winning the vote will bring the Raccoon River Valley Trail national attention and also bring trail enthusiasts as tourists to central Iowa," said Executive Director of the Dallas County Conservation Board and Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Board Member Mike Wallace.
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is one of several trails which make up Waukee's trail system, which currently totals 23 miles of paved trail.