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Conservation director: trail projects, park expansions and $178,000 wetland grant on schedule
Summary
Linn County conservation director Dennis Gourmet reported construction schedules for multiple trail and park projects, hired contractors for a new mountain‑bike component at Penneken Ridge, and said the department received a $178,000 grant for a wetland project at Morgan Creek Park.
Dennis Gourmet, Linn County Conservation Director, briefed the Board of Supervisors on projects, grants and park openings.
Gourmet said weather has delayed some work but that the Morgan Creek Lodge is on track for a one‑year construction schedule with work expected to start in April, and that campground and cabin work at Pinecone Ridge should finish in June (a slight chance of opening Memorial Day remains dependent on weather). He said the Morgan Creek Trail segment has a late start date of June 30 and that pre‑clearing work had been expected.
On recreation facilities, Gourmet said the Penneken Ridge mountain‑bike trail is half complete and the county hired Tailored Trails (Georgia) as the low bidder to build a new mountain‑bike feature described as either a gravity park or mountain bike park to add interest for users. He reported the county completed a dredging and bank‑hardening project and opened a Lakeside Road underpass that connects new trail segments through private parcels to the Dows development and Wauneta/ Wanatee Park systems.
Gourmet said the conservation board was awarded $178,000 from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for a wetland project at Morgan Creek Park and that an engineer is finalizing designs and bid documents for fall construction. He also noted partnerships with The Nature Conservancy on oxbow restorations and with state and local partners on training and cover‑crop outreach. A US Fish and Wildlife funding opportunity was described: grants up to $75,000 per applicant for oxbow restoration, with follow‑up meetings planned.
Ending
Gourmet thanked Supervisor Rogers for long‑term support and noted conservation projects and the department’s role in county quality‑of‑life investments. He asked for stable weather to finish season‑dependent tasks.
