The Iowa DOT Trail was constructed by the Iowa DOT, along the north right-of-way of the new Hwy 34 By-pass.
Iowa DOT Trail near the Maasdam Barns Click here to see the Maasdam Barns.
Iowa DOT Trail (South Loop) Specs
Length= 5.7 miles
Surface= Crushed limestone.
These are the only entry/exit points to/from
the Iowa DOT Trail:
East Entry= Mint Blvd, which connects to Lamson Woods.
Hwy 1= Intersects with State Hwy 1 (South Main St) near the Jefferson County Health Center and Maasdam Barns.
Kale Blvd= Intersects with Kale Blvd.
Cedar View Trail= The Cedar View Trail connects to 32nd Street and Jefferson County Park.
West Entry= Connects with the Quad West Trail, near Whitham Woods.
Parking is available at the Maasdam Barns, at Kale Blvd, at both ends of the Cedar View Trail, and at Whitham Woods.
Nearby Parks:
Jefferson County Park can be entered by following the connecting trail onto the Cedar View Trail.
Details at the Jefferson County Park webpage.
O. B. Nelson Park is about 1/2 mile north on Hwy 1.
Details at photo essay.
Click here to learn more about the Maasdam Barns at Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm.
Aug 22, 2009 -- Iowa DOT Trail Inauguration
The inauguration took place on Sat, Aug 22, 2009. Health & Wellness for the community was the theme. This 6.5 mile-long section of the Loop Trail was built by Iowa DOT in conjunction with the bypass.
The trail is surfaced with limey chip. Trail access is provided only at the south end of Mint Blvd, on either side of Highway 1, at Kale Blvd (just south of Libertyville Drive), from the Cedar View Trail west of 32nd Street, or at the connection to the Quad West Trail near Whitham Woods.
Some construction details
The trail was surfaced with fine limestone chips, as on other parts of the Loop Trail. Before that, however, you must have a stable base. First the ground is dug out to a six-inch depth, then base rock is placed on the ground. The irregularly shaped stones interlock with each other, providing a surface for the final layer of fine stones (lime chips in this case).
Some of the ground under the trail had never been disturbed before, so is soft, and perhaps wet. Therefore it takes time for the stones to settle down, so take care.
