City and Fair Board discussing Trout Run Trail right-of-way

The property is outlined in aqua, the bike trail is shown in red (Photo courtesy of Beacon)

When the Winneshiek County Agricultural Association bought property to the north of the Fairgrounds, part of the property they bought was the path the Trout Run Trail took.

Fair Board members say they're worried that they would be liable in the case of an accident on the part of the trail that uses their property.

They have proposed signing an agreement with the city for payments of $100 a month to cover the cost of liability insurance.  But city officials are reluctant to take on a continuing cost and have proposed buying an easement through the property.  The city's first offer was $10,000 and now they are making a $15,000 offer.

City officials say the part of the property the bike trail uses isn't property the Fair Board can use because of the geography of the parcel.  They're hoping the Fair Board will accept the latest offer and the issue can be resolved.