High Trestle Trail USACE Land Access

We are in support of the following letter from the Friends of Boone County Trails to Mr. Jon Warren of the United States Army Corps of Engineers:


Dear Mr. Warren:

The Friends of Boone County Trails seeks to improve outdoor recreation opportunities throughout central Iowa. Our organization is composed of a wide variety of trail users and supporters of the new High Trestle Trail between Ankeny and Woodward, Iowa. Completion of the 25-mile long trail is expected in late summer or early fall of 2010 with completion of the bridge across the Des Moines River and adjacent trail segments. The Slater to Madrid portion of the High Trestle Trail, opened in October 2008, is used by bicyclists, walkers, joggers, roller bladers, cross country skiers, and horseback riders and was constructed with a natural surface horse path adjacent to the paved trail. The High Trestle Trail and bridge across the Des Moines River abut U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land in southern Boone County.

To expand the outdoor recreational opportunities in this area the Friends of Boone County Trails requests that hikers and horseback riders be allowed to hike and ride on the USACE land in the Des Moines River Valley west of Madrid to the north end of Saylorville Lake. There are a large number of horseback riders in the area, including members of the Iowa Trail Riders Association and the Quad County Saddle Club. Areas to ride horses are continuing to shrink. Access to the USACE land would offer horseback riders a place to ride away from roads with vehicle traffic.

The Friends of Boone County Trails would be happy to work with USACE on designating horse and hiking trails, proper use of the area, and addressing any other concerns that might arise.

There is currently a bridge construction ramp from the east head of the High Trestle Trail Bridge into the Des Moines River Valley. We ask that this ramp be allowed to remain once bridge construction has been completed as it provides excellent access to the valley and would protect the valley sides from potential soil erosion caused by using other access points. The High Trestle Bridge itself was not designed for equestrian use and horses will not be allowed to use it when it is completed. Enclosed is an aerial photo showing the approximate location of the ramp (ramp not shown in photo).

The Boone County Conservation Board voted to request that the construction ramp remain and access to this land of the USACE on November 9, 2009. The Friends of the Boone County Trails voted to support this request on November 10, 2009.

Our points of contact for this request are Jennifer Mlocek, Equestrian Committee Chair, Friends of Boone County Trails at 515-537-5624 and Becky Roorda, Chair, Friends of Boone County Trails, 515-795-2647, [email protected]

We look forward to working with the US Army Corps of Engineers on this request.

Sincerely yours,

Rebecca Roorda, Chair
Friends of Boone County Trails


Cc: Kelli Phillips, USAGE Saylorville Lake Project Andy Hockenson, Boone County Conservation