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STC Rec Trail: A little-known gem

“Our mission is to improve the economy, health, safety, and overall quality-of-life for the residents of South Tama County.” This mission statement demonstrates what the South Tama Recreation Trail Project wants to accomplish. The nonprofit is driven by a small group of local volunteers with support from the cities of Tama and Toledo. The South Tama Rec Trail is a true gem that few outside of the South Tama area know about; but someday, it might be part of a larger system of rec trails. The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) has been privileged to give several grants to this important endeavor, including a grant to help finish the south portion of the trial and safety features.

According to the South Tama Rec Trail website, “The South Tama Recreation Trail is a multi-use trail linking the adjacent communities of Tama and Toledo, Iowa.” But how did the idea of the trail come about? Around 2001, Galen “Jake” Jacobson, a local Independent Insurance agent, as well as an avid bicyclist, had a meeting with a DOT employee, also a bicyclist, regarding the new Highway 30 and the state’s acquisition and the tearing down of his insurance building. A conversation ensued about recreation trails and if there were any in the area. The conversation inspired Jacobson to start thinking about the benefits of a rec trail in the Tama-Toledo area.

In 2003, Jacobson, along with a small group of volunteers who believed in the benefits of a rec trail as well as the support of the cities of Tama and Toledo, the South Tama Recreation Trail Project began with a one mile portion of the trail along the abandoned Northern Iowa Railroad on the west side of Tama and Toledo. Since then, additions to the trail have been made.

The second phase of the trail was the creation of the section from Old Highway 30 by the Tama-Toledo Golf Course to the City of Tama, near the maintenance building. The third phase heads north from west of Arrowhead Trailer Court to near Dolezal Farm Supply. This portion of the trail was made possible through a Regent 6 Grant as well as matching funds from both cities.

In 2010, the 1.5 mile loop around Cherry Lake, just south of downtown Tama near the Tama Paperboard, was opened. This loop allows users to see a variety of wildlife and enjoy the calming influence of the water.

The last phase, completed in the fall of 2013, is a ? mile long addition that connects the original one mile trail segment with the South Tama campus area, which includes the STC Elementary School and High School. The loop includes walking through a section of farm land maintained by the STC Future Farmers of America, the STC Elementary playground area, a connecting segment to the STC High School, and two landscaped areas with benches.

The STC Rec Trail Board and its volunteers, who frequently and consistently give of their time, talents, and money, maintain the trail, along with the help of the Cities of Tama and Toledo maintenance people. Early in the creation of the trails, Jacobson needed the help of an engineer. Mark McFate, a civil engineer, had recently moved back into town and was looking to get involved in the community. Among other volunteer duties, Mark is the webmaster for the trail. McFate shared, “I like the fact that both cities work well together in this endeavor, and I would like to see more of that.”

Jacobson echoes McFate’s sentiments as well, “Due to the cooperation of many volunteers along with both Tama and Toledo city employees, I think the South Tama Rec Trail has been a huge success for our community.” He, also added, “It’s a great asset and safe way for those who like to stay fit and healthy by walking, running, or biking.”

The STC Rec Trail website, trail.tamatoledo.org, includes information about the trail, maps, who the volunteers are, as well as the list of donors, whether monetary, donation, or in-kind.

Walkers, runners, bikers find the hard-packed crushed limestone paths easy to use. Although usage is not statistically tracked, anecdotally, both Jacobson and McFate have heard many positive comments and compliments about the trail, both from locals and travelers.

In regard to future plans, Iowa River Greenbelt Resource Trusts in Marshall and Hardin Counties have invited representatives from the STC Rec Trail to discuss banding together to create an Iowa River Rec Trail in all three counties along the Iowa River. This alliance could also increase chances for receiving larger State of Iowa grants.

Not only does the STC Rec Trail provide a pleasant and safe venue for personal physical and family outdoor activities, for the last three years the trail has been used for local volunteers to host a haunted trail and hayride around the Cherry Lake portion of the trail. Other volunteers have held a cardboard boat regatta race and a youth fishing derby.

The Tama County Community Foundation is proud to help the South Tama Recreation Trail Project and its mission to improve the quality of life in the South Tama area. For more information about the TCCF, contact Brian Sokol, Chair of the Tama County Community Foundation, 641-484-2980, or Mary Fasse-Shaw, TCCF’s Development Associate at 641-751-5251.

The Tama County Community Foundation is a local organization making grant investments to organizations that create a stronger and more vibrant quality of life in Tama County and helps people establish permanent funds for the causes they care about in their community. The Tama CountyCommunity Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, a nonprofit committed to creating long-term impact in 19 counties in Iowa. For more information, contact 319-287-9106 or visit www.cfneia.org. CFNEIA is confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations.

STC Rec Trail: A little-known gem

“Our mission is to improve the economy, health, safety, and overall quality-of-life for the residents of South Tama County.” This mission statement demonstrates what the South Tama Recreation Trail Project wants to accomplish. The nonprofit is driven by a small group of local volunteers with support from the cities of Tama and Toledo. The South Tama Rec Trail is a true gem that few outside of the South Tama area know about; but someday, it might be part of a larger system of rec trails. The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) has been privileged to give several grants to this important endeavor, including a grant to help finish the south portion of the trial and safety features.

According to the South Tama Rec Trail website, “The South Tama Recreation Trail is a multi-use trail linking the adjacent communities of Tama and Toledo, Iowa.” But how did the idea of the trail come about? Around 2001, Galen “Jake” Jacobson, a local Independent Insurance agent, as well as an avid bicyclist, had a meeting with a DOT employee, also a bicyclist, regarding the new Highway 30 and the state’s acquisition and the tearing down of his insurance building. A conversation ensued about recreation trails and if there were any in the area. The conversation inspired Jacobson to start thinking about the benefits of a rec trail in the Tama-Toledo area.

In 2003, Jacobson, along with a small group of volunteers who believed in the benefits of a rec trail as well as the support of the cities of Tama and Toledo, the South Tama Recreation Trail Project began with a one mile portion of the trail along the abandoned Northern Iowa Railroad on the west side of Tama and Toledo. Since then, additions to the trail have been made.

The second phase of the trail was the creation of the section from Old Highway 30 by the Tama-Toledo Golf Course to the City of Tama, near the maintenance building. The third phase heads north from west of Arrowhead Trailer Court to near Dolezal Farm Supply. This portion of the trail was made possible through a Regent 6 Grant as well as matching funds from both cities.

In 2010, the 1.5 mile loop around Cherry Lake, just south of downtown Tama near the Tama Paperboard, was opened. This loop allows users to see a variety of wildlife and enjoy the calming influence of the water.

The last phase, completed in the fall of 2013, is a ? mile long addition that connects the original one mile trail segment with the South Tama campus area, which includes the STC Elementary School and High School. The loop includes walking through a section of farm land maintained by the STC Future Farmers of America, the STC Elementary playground area, a connecting segment to the STC High School, and two landscaped areas with benches.

The STC Rec Trail Board and its volunteers, who frequently and consistently give of their time, talents, and money, maintain the trail, along with the help of the Cities of Tama and Toledo maintenance people. Early in the creation of the trails, Jacobson needed the help of an engineer. Mark McFate, a civil engineer, had recently moved back into town and was looking to get involved in the community. Among other volunteer duties, Mark is the webmaster for the trail. McFate shared, “I like the fact that both cities work well together in this endeavor, and I would like to see more of that.”

Jacobson echoes McFate’s sentiments as well, “Due to the cooperation of many volunteers along with both Tama and Toledo city employees, I think the South Tama Rec Trail has been a huge success for our community.” He, also added, “It’s a great asset and safe way for those who like to stay fit and healthy by walking, running, or biking.”

The STC Rec Trail website, trail.tamatoledo.org, includes information about the trail, maps, who the volunteers are, as well as the list of donors, whether monetary, donation, or in-kind.

Walkers, runners, bikers find the hard-packed crushed limestone paths easy to use. Although usage is not statistically tracked, anecdotally, both Jacobson and McFate have heard many positive comments and compliments about the trail, both from locals and travelers.

In regard to future plans, Iowa River Greenbelt Resource Trusts in Marshall and Hardin Counties have invited representatives from the STC Rec Trail to discuss banding together to create an Iowa River Rec Trail in all three counties along the Iowa River. This alliance could also increase chances for receiving larger State of Iowa grants.

Not only does the STC Rec Trail provide a pleasant and safe venue for personal physical and family outdoor activities, for the last three years the trail has been used for local volunteers to host a haunted trail and hayride around the Cherry Lake portion of the trail. Other volunteers have held a cardboard boat regatta race and a youth fishing derby.

The Tama County Community Foundation is proud to help the South Tama Recreation Trail Project and its mission to improve the quality of life in the South Tama area. For more information about the TCCF, contact Brian Sokol, Chair of the Tama County Community Foundation, 641-484-2980, or Mary Fasse-Shaw, TCCF’s Development Associate at 641-751-5251.

For more information, contact 319-287-9106 or visit www.cfneia.org. CFNEIA is in compliance with standards for U.S. community foundations.