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 planneded trail is approximately 20 miles and will extend between downtown Burlington to Big Hollow Creek 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.