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Linn County conservation: Morgan Creek trail segment opens; soil office reports nearly 18,000 acres of cover‑crop signups
Summary
Conservation staff said the Morgan Creek Trail segment to the Cedar River is open and that Morgan Creek Park Lodge construction awaits structural insulated panels arriving Dec. 5. Soil Conservation reported nearly 18,000 acres of cover‑crop signups, an extended Dec. 21 rye seeding window, and a potential wetland partnership at Eastern Iowa Airport.
Linn County conservation staff on Tuesday updated the Board on completed trail work, lodge construction timelines and expanded soil‑conservation activity across the county.
Dennis Gourmet, conservation director, said the Morgan Creek Trail segment from 42nd Street to the Cedar River is complete and open for use; the final portion — a bridge across the river — remains to be built and is the most expensive piece. Gourmet said the frame for the Morgan Creek Park Lodge is up and that structural insulated panels (SIPs) are scheduled to arrive Dec. 5 to allow enclosed work and concrete pours through winter.
Gourmet also highlighted high community turnout at recent events including WikiUp Fall Fest and a luminary hike at Morgan Creek Park, which he estimated drew 750 to 1,000 participants.
John Gallagher, soil conservation, described survey and design work on more than a dozen sites, expanded cover‑crop enrollment with local partners and co‑ops, and a partnership conversation with Eastern Iowa Airport on potential wetland systems and edge‑of‑field practices. Gallagher said the county and partners pushed nearly 18,000 acres of signed cover‑crop applications this fall and noted that the state extended the seeding window for winter cereal rye to Dec. 21 this year to allow additional acres to establish.
Supervisors praised interagency collaboration and asked conservation staff to continue coordination on construction timelines and funding sources. No formal votes were taken at the meeting.
