News about the Trails of Jefferson County IA

Fairfield Loop Trail Use Tops 25,000 (Jan 14, 2015)

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has completed a bicycle count on the Fairfield Loop Trail. Bicycle counts were conducted at 10 trail locations in 8 southeast Iowa cities from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2014. Counts were taken near Chautauqua Park and the Matkin Bridge over Highway 1 on the Fairfield Loop Trail.

The data show 125 bicycles use the trail near Chautauqua Park each day, while 25 bicycles use the trail near Highway 1 each day. While these results may be impressive in their own right, it should be noted the count only included bicycles. Observations from other trail counts show the total trail use is comprised of approximately 35% bikers and 65% walkers. Adjusting the data to include walkers means over 230 people use the trail near Chautauqua Park each day.

As the City of Fairfield finalizes its application to become one of the first certified Blues Zones in Iowa, trail use plays an important role in the health and wellness of the community. Studies show that bicycle use and physical activity increase as the availability of trail facilities increases.

The familiar phrase states, “if you build it, they will come”. Trail users have most definitely come to the Fairfield Loop Trail. Accounting for the dates between Memorial Day and Labor day only, the Loop Trail is used nearly 26,000 times per year. With 522 seats, 26,000 people would fill the Sondheim Center 50 times.

The Iowa DOT’s bicycle count has quantified the number of trail users on the Loop Trail. The data confirms the Loop Trail is wildly popular and vitally important to the citizens of Fairfield and the surrounding area.

   Press release from Stephen Pedrick, Chairman, Jefferson County Trails Council, 01-14-15

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Every effort is made to ensure accurate information is posted to the site. However, Jefferson County Trails Council does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of the content on this site or content which is referenced by or linked to this site. © 2001-2016 Jefferson County Trails Council, Fairfield, Iowa.  Updated 05-20-16

 

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