Oct 26, 2002...Watch yourself this Halloween! Or any time. This garden spider was photographed along the trail between Reservoir # 1 and Reservoir # 2. You never know what will be around the next corner!
Oct 17...A family out for a stroll on the Cedar View Trail. Sorry for the fuzzy picture - the photographer wasn't quiet enough to get closer.
Oct 05...Barry Ross autographing his print of the trail logo after the Dedication Ceremony at Lamson Woods. Prints and t-shirts are still available.
Oct 5...The official opening of the Lamson Woods Segment of the Fairfield Loop trail took place on a warm and sunny day. A good turnout participated in the dedication of the Carl Zillman Memorial Bridge and the Neff Wetlands Trail, as well as the new gazebo.
Sept 26, 2002... A gazebo was recently built on the Neff Wetlands dike. Volunteers constructed it from a donated kit. It is located at the east end of the Carl Zillman Bridge, near Lamson Woods.
Sept 19... October 5th is set for the Dedication ceremony for the Carl Zillman Bridge and Neff Wetlands Trail. It starts at 11 AM at Lamson Woods at the corner of E. Fillmore Ave and S. Park Street. Jefferson County Trail System posters and t-shirts will be available for purchase.
Aug 23...The Zillman Bridge at Lamson Woods was recently completed by volunteers, and the surfacing of the Neff Family Wetlands dike was completed this week by the contractor. You may now walk or ride your bike the 1/2 mile from Mint Blvd to Glasgow Road. A Grand Opening Celebration date will be announced.
Aug 10...Prints of the trail scene created for us by Barry Ross are now available at Henderson's and Somebody Cares on the square in Fairfield, and at the Jefferson County Nature Center. Trail signs with this scene are being erected along the trails - starting with the Cedar View Trail.
Aug 3...The Grand Opening of the Cedar View Trail was held with a ribbon cutting and tour of the trail. About 70 people attended. According the Ron Meyers, the trail surface will get more attention -- the Jefferson County Conservation Board will finish surfacing the trail with limey chips as their budget allows.
July 18...The Cedar View Trail Grand Opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, Aug 3rd, from 10AM to noon. The ribbon cutting will take place at the trail entrance off 32nd Street (Suburban Heights Rd).
July 13...Construction began at the final section of the Zillman Bridge/Boardwalk at Lamson Woods this weekend. Volunteers extended it to the dike -- additional work needs to be done before it is complete.
June 20...The "Spring Time Party" drawing at Drugtown in Fairfield was held recently. David Cruz won a child's bike, choosing the girl's bike.
June 15...Contractors installed the fences on the Cedar View Trail Bridge. Now you can cross without fear of plunging 60 feet into the creek (!). The Grand Opening will be announced soon.
June 3...Cedar View Trail Update: The trail was surfaced with rock from Suburban Hts Rd to 223rd St. It has not been "rolled" yet, so is still pretty rough. As for the bridge, we are waiting for fencing to be installed this week or next.
May 31, 2002...The walking trail on the east side of Reservoir #2 was mowed by the Water Dept and is now fully open and easily managed. Try it!
May 25...Both the east and west walking trails at reservoir # 2 now have trail marking arrows. In pursuit of a Wood Carving Merit Badge, 18 Boy Scouts of MSAE Troop #108, with guidance from Doug Adams, director of the Fine Furniture Dept at MUM, carved and painted the arrows. While installing them, they moved some trees that had fallen onto the trail.
May 14...Update on the Cedar View Trail Bridge: The concrete deck was poured today. It must cure for 72 hours, while water is pumped onto it. Fences must be erected and approach paths graded. Also, the contractor will try to reconstruct the banks, but it may be difficult with all the cinders underneath. We are getting close!
May 14...The "Spring Time Party" at Drugtown was extended. There is still time to enter the drawing!! Tell your friends with small children.
May 02...The "Spring Time Party" began today at Drugtown in Fairfield (6th St and Burlington Ave), highlighting our Trail System. On May 14th there will be a drawing for a child's bike, with the proceeds going to the Jefferson County Trails Council.
Apr 28...Update on the Cedar View Trail Bridge: The wet weather has delayed the contractor in pouring the concrete deck. The trail will be surfaced after the heavy equipment has left.
Apr 25...The JCTC & City of Fairfield are recipients of a $270,000 federal grant to build a bridge over the BNSF tracks north of Parkview Care Center. This bridge will enable the Loop Trail to be extended from the Walton parking lot all the way to Chautauqua Park.... The bridge should be built in 2003. A local match of $95,000 will be required.
Apr 14...Two volunteers from Ducks Unlimited install the first of two new Wood Duck boxes in the Neff Family Wetlands. The western end of the dike has been modified. Look for the Trails Council to complete the last section of the bridge/boardwalk as soon as weather permits.
Apr 03...All kinds of kids enjoy our trails. Come out and join them.
Mar 25...Update on the Cedar View Trail Bridge: The forms for the deck are now in place. The weather continues to be too cold to pour the concrete.
Feb 19, 2002...Two new hiking-only trails are now open at reservoir # 2. The East Trail starts at the north end of the parking lot on Pleasant Plain Rd. The West Trail starts near the bench on the west side of the reservoir. Signs mark the entrances. They can be muddy, and there are some small creeks and wet spots to cross.
Jan 23...The last two cross-beams were installed today for the Cedar View Trail Bridge over the Cedar Creek. Four of the beams are 120 feet long, and two are 133 feet. Each weighs over 55 tons. The concrete decking will be poured in early spring. See more photos under "Trail Photographs".
Jan 20...Both piers have been poured for the Cedar View Trail Bridge over the Cedar Creek. The cross-beams may be installed next week, using two big cranes.
Jan 14...The Erma Hartman Trail was surfaced with limey chips from the entrance on Jackson Ave to Oakwood Nursery.
Jan 12, 2002...A "secret" trail was cleared through the woods on the western side of reservoir # 2 by JCTC volunteers. It was designed as a rustic hiking-only trail, to get away from the maddening crowds. Don't tell your friends.
Dec 20...Grant application submitted for bridge over Highway 1, north of MUM.
Dec 16...The base of the piers have been poured and the concrete is curing (the Cedar View Trail Bridge over the Cedar Creek).
Nov 17...Construction began on the 387' Cedar View Trail foot bridge over Cedar Creek. The contractor is Godbersen-Smith, from Ida Grove, IA.
Nov 14...The Fairfield Ledger printed an article about this website in the Nov 13 issue.
Nov 12...JCTC volunteers erected a split rail fence at the B Street parking lot on Sunday. It gives the parking lot a nice definition.
Nov 10...The Iowa DOT has given Cole Construction the green light to modify the dike in the Neff Family Properties, Inc. wetlands. Once that work is done, JCTC members will begin construction of the final 150' boardwalk.
Nov 2, 2001...The Mayor of Fairfield is in the process of naming members to a Water Committee which will develop a multipurpose masterplan for the use of 3 city reservoirs.