Project history First, the history of the Cambridge/Isanti Bike/Walk trail goes back about 15 years when some local students and local citizens (who later formed the Isanti County Parks & Recreation board) wanted a safe walking and biking connection between Cambridge and Isanti. The students raised $1,200 as matching funds to put toward the construction of the bike/walk trail. Isanti township determined it was not feasible to construct a trail along existing roads. This put the trail on hold until the 1999 when the Bike/Walk Trail Committee was formed. Since then, the committee has looked at many routes and concluded that the best route would be parallel to the railroad tracks between Goldenwood and Isanti. This would connect with the existing trail that comes out of Bluebird Park at the north end of Isanti and the existing trail in the Goldenwood neighborhood (Brown Park) in Cambridge. Easements being acquired Currently, the Bike/Walk Trail Committee is acquiring easements and appraisals, preparing engineering trail design and engineering soil testing. Their plan is to have the easements acquired and the design in place and ready for construction bids by the end of 2005. Funding sources Funding for the Bike/Walk Trail has been sporadic. However, 80% of construction costs for the trail are slated in the Transportation Bill in Congress waiting to be passed. Additionally, we have monies from Isanti County, Isanti Township and Active Living by Design. The Rum River Bicycle Classic was a fund raiser for the Bike/Walk Trail and after a successful event, they hope hold it each summer. After the Bill passes in Congress the committee should have most of the money for construction of the trail between Cambridge and Isanti. Still, that doesn't cover engineering costs, contingencies, or future maintenance. Isanti County Active Living is the group which received the Active Living by Design $200,000 five year grant. Their featured project is the Isanti County Bike/Walk Trail. Many people get confused on what the Active Living by Design grant entails. This $200,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a planning grant to promote Active Living in our community and to advocate design within the community that supports Active Living and everyday fitness. Some of the funds have been allocated to the bike/walk trail planning, engineering and fundraising. Isanti County Active Living has also applied for other grants, sponsored the Rum River Bicycle Classic and created walking maps for cities within the county. Even though all the money to build the trail is not available yet, the Isanti County Bike/Walk trail is on people's minds. Plans continue There are already plans for the trail going north towards to Braham. The first step is forming a Braham/Cambridge Bike/Walk committee. Next, the committee will be responsible to map out a route and make sure it is achievable with funds and property rights. There are many ways the community can help. One way to get involved is to be on one of the Bike/Walk committees. If you are not able to make a commitment to a committee, please consider riding in the Rum River Bicycle Classic to help raise money for the trail. Last, consider volunteering your time for fundraisers or for the actual construction of the trail. Trail systems don't get built overnight, but with many people working towards the same goal, Isanti County can have safe trails to build a healthy community. Information source If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Lisa Perlick or Bill Carlson at 763-552-3254. ©Isanti County News
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