Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What's the status of the Dry Run Trail and Neste Valley Recreational Area?"

(Photo courtesy of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation)

(Jordan e-mails: "What is the status of the 8-mile long "Dry Run Trail" between Decorah and Calmar, as well as the "Neste Valley Recreational Area" 170-acre heritage farm that will be located on this future trail?"):

Mr. Answer Person says: "The most visible development you'll notice this spring, Jordan, is that crews will be working to install a culvert under Highway 52 that will connect the Trout Run Trail to the future Neste Valley Trail.

Other than that, the work this summer will be a little harder to spot--but just as important.  County officials and volunteers will be working with landowners of properties between Neste Valley and the City of Decorah in order to get easement agreements finalized for the trail.

The vision is that Neste Valley Recreational Area will be a trailhead and a very scenic mid-way stretch for the 8-mile  bike route connection between the Trout Run Trail in Decorah and the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail from Calmar to Cresco. When completed, the combined trial system would stretch for 43 miles in Northeast Iowa.

If you're interested in making a donation to this project, visit the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation website at http://www.inhf.org/what-we-do/trails/current-projects/dry-run-trail/

Winneshiek County Conservation Board members check out Neste Valley in this decorahnews.com file photo (Click on photo for larger image)