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Ribbon Cutting - May 4, 2012 - 3:00 PM - Tama Road (click here for details)

The City of Burlington is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the first section of their portion of the Flint River Trail.  This phase is 1.5 miles long and runs from 113th St to the levee behind Case New Holland at the bridge over Flint Creek, and along the levee from Mill Dam Rd to behind Case New Holland.  The City of Burlington plans to start construction on the portion that runs from behind Case New Holland to the intersection of Hwy 99 and Cash St in 2013.

We'd like to thank the Burlington City Council, Iowa DOT, Iowa DNR, the North Bottoms Levee Board, Case New Holland, French Reneker and Associates, Shipley Contracting, and all of the volunteers and committee members that have continued to support this project and help make it become a reality.
Flint River Trail Continues to Grow - The Hawk Eye
Flint River Trail Map - Click Here
Background of the Flint River Trail

This project began as part of the Great River Gateway Vision Iowa project, which is providing funding for improvements to City of Burlington and Des Moines County community and tourism attractions - including Big Hollow Recreation Area, Burlington Public Library, Des Moines County Heritage Center, Burlington Memorial Auditorium, Burlington Bees baseball (Community Field) and the Flint River Trail.  The City of Burlington and Des Moines County have been working cooperatively to complete all of these projects, including the Flint River Trail, which will be the first significant multi-mile trail planned in Southeast Iowa.   

The planned trail is approximately 20 miles and will extend from downtown Burlington to Big Hollow Recreation Area in northern Des Moines County.  Once completed, the trail will connect the Mississippi River Trail, downtown Burlington, the Port of Burlington, Riverside Park, Starr's Cave Park & Preserve, Thye Woods Habitat Preserve, Historic Zion School, and Big Hollow Recreation Area through the Flint River Valley. The trail will be primarily separated from roadways for safety and enjoyment of the users.
Trail Coming Soon
Progress of the Flint River Trail  -  (click on date below to see photos/info of progress)

  • ■  2012 - Construction of a portion of Flint River Trail in Burlington.
  • ■  2011 - Construction of a portion of Flint River Trail in Burlington.
  • ■  2011 - Groundbreaking of a portion of Flint River Trail in Burlington.
  • ■  2010 - Groundbreaking of northern portion of Flint River Trail.
 2009 - Brush clearing (Wal-Mart Volunteers) on a portion of the trail, located north of Tama Road.
■  2009 - Completed reconstruction of former rail bridge over Flint River, north of Case Company (CNH)
  • ■  2009 - Portion of trail has been filled and graded from Tama Road, south to Flint River
Funding of the Flint River Trail

The cost to complete the 20 mile Flint River Trail is expected to be near $6.45 million dollars.   To date, over 60% of the funds have been secured by Des Moines County, the City of Burlington, and through various state and federal grants as seen below.  To complete the trail more grant funding will be needed, as well as local support from the community.  A goal has been set to raise $645,000 in local funding from the community.  If you would like to help us reach this goal, please visit our Donation page. 
Des Moines County $379,000 City of Burlington $151,000
Des Moines Co (FY 2009-11) $379,000 Vision Iowa $521,000
State Rec Trails $360,000 Regional Enhancements $268,000
Federal Rec Trails $220,000 Regional Enhancements $160,000
LAWCON $17,000 REAP ('07) $150,000
Statewide Enhancement $555,745 REAP ('08) $150,000
Statewide Enhancement ('10) $474,345 REAP ('09) $150,000
TOTAL $3,935,090
Information on the Flint River Trail
Trail News
Trail Brochure Trail Maps & Photos
FRT Brochure Map Photo