Extension of the Harmony-Preston Valley bike trail advances

The City of Harmony Trails Commission is pleased to announce that a bill to appropriate funds for extension of the Harmony-Preston Valley bike trail has advanced through the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee for final consideration in this year’s budget. Senator Jeremy Miller introduced the bill early in March.  Representative Greg Davids introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives that awaits its first hearing.

If passed, this bill will appropriate funds generated from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by voters in 2008 for the purchase and development of approximately six miles of trail from Harmony to Niagara Cave and the Iowa border, for future connection with the Northeast Iowa trail system. A connection to the Cresco and Decorah trail system, once achieved, would double the size of the local trail system.

Last winter volunteers secured the last of the necessary land option contracts that would permit the City of Harmony to purchase the required land. Securing state funding is the next step in completion of the project. The Trails Commission is encouraged by progress this legislative session and will continue to work with our local representatives to encourage our political leaders from across the state to fund this worthwhile project.