Improvements to flood-ravaged Valley Trail move trail system another step forward in Waukon City Park
Improvements on the Valley Trail in the Waukon City Park have come to completion this summer. After damage from flooding in 2013 and torrential rains continuing to be a problem with the pathway, the trail route was redirected a bit to higher ground in certain areas, wing dams (visible in the grassy area to the right of the trail in the background of the above photo) have been installed, as well as pavement with blacktop and reinforced cement being used on the trail to help mitigate damage that could occur from rushing water.
The 5 Bridges Trail in the Waukon City Park is 0.45 miles long and follows along Paint Creek on the south edge of Waukon. The graveled trail meanders through trees and wildflowers and, as its name indicates, crosses five different bridges along its route. The bench pictured above is located by one of the five bridges that the trail crosses, and the sign behind the bench marks the location of Fox Spring. Photo by Brianne Eilers.
by Brianne Eilers
Anyone who has visited the Waukon City Park this summer may have noticed some work being done on the Valley Trail located near the Indian Springs Pond. Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub explained that the trail is being improved using funds that the City of Waukon received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the devastating flooding that hit Waukon in June of 2013.
“The trails have been here for a while, and just as they were starting to get more use, they got washed out and ruined in the flood,” Strub explained.
The Valley Trail is a short trail, about two-tenths of a mile long, and it follows a ravine located between the campground and the aquatic center in the City Park. The current project began last fall. Work was contracted out to various companies and included moving the trail to a little higher ground than the previous trail, construction of wing dams and pavement with reinforced cement and blacktop.
Other improvements that can be seen from the Valley Trail area include the new dock on the pond, which includes a more secure railing system. Moving towards the pond, the Valley Trail intersects with the Campground Trail, a paved trail of about five-hundredths of a mile that goes uphill from Indian Springs Pond to the campground.
The Valley Trail also intersects with the Pond Trail at the Indian Springs Pond. The Pond Trail is about a quarter of a mile long, paved and follows the pond. It also goes through part of the Indian Springs Memory Garden, as well as past Indian Springs.
The Memory Garden has been maintained by the Waukon Community Pride Committee, and Strub noted that the group is made up of volunteers. He also said that the park and the City are very thankful for the work the Waukon Community Pride Committee has done to beautify the City Park.
Next to the Pond Trail there is a sign designating where Indian Springs is located. The spring was also recently renovated by former Waukon City Council member Joe Cunningham by directing the flow of the spring with a rock and cement base.
The bridge at the Indian Springs Memory Garden has also been replaced, as the original bridge was also lost during the flooding of June 2013. During the year, visitors to the pond can view the flock of geese that makes the pond home every year. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has stocked fish in the pond, but Strub noted they are still pretty small and won’t be able to bite a hook until next year. Swimming is not allowed in Indian Springs Pond.
Following the Pond Trail and crossing Eleventh Avenue SW, the Pond Trail hooks into the 5 Bridges Trail and Ridge Trail. The 5 Bridges Trail is a 0.45-mile long graveled trail that follows along Paint Creek, and yes, there are five bridges along the trail, just as the trail's name indicates. The trail is lined with wildflowers and trees, and a sign points out the location of Fox Spring.
The 5 Bridges Trail hooks into the Ridge Trail, which is 0.35 miles long, graveled and follows the ridge, allowing users to view an example of an oak savanna plant community. A sign is posted in the additional parking area, located off of Thirteenth Avenue SW, which explains in detail about the oak savanna plant community and its significance to this area.
The Waukon City Park Trail system is open year-round for hiking, biking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. The trails offer various levels of difficulty, with terrain ranging from flat ground to inclines. The Waukon City Park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and there are no fees for using the trails.
