Trail committee eyeing first leg of project

Hartley's recreation trail committee has made marked progress in the past year, but members are hoping the city's help could allow the group to make bigger strides in the future.

Committee members on Monday gave an annual update on efforts to build a recreation trail around town. If constructed, the path would encompass Hartley starting at Neebel Park for a total distance of approximately four miles at an estimated cost of $400,000 per mile.

Committee member Dave Vander Broek said the group would like to install the first stretch of trail extending from Neebel Park westward to Vine Avenue at an estimated cost of $229,000. The committee currently has around $105,000 on hand to use for the project, and members asked if the city would be willing to contribute the remaining $124,000.

"It's not easy. I know a small town has many other needs," Vander Broek said. "It's gonna take everybody pitching in to get enough funding for it."

Vander Broek said funding for recreation trails typically comes from three sources: grants, private contributions and local government. Public monies can come from utilities, general obligation bonds and Local Option Sales Tax revenue.

The committee believed the city's backing would open up more fundraising opportunities down the road. The committee has received a $100,000 grant from United Way and it also generates money from its can and bottle depository.

Committee member Justin McCarty believed potential donors would have more confidence in the project with the city's support.

"Until they see money from the city, I don't think everyone wants to put money towards it," he said.

Committee member Nicole Shaffer said completing the first leg of the trail would spark more community support for the project.

"If you don't show progress, you're not going to get that excitement in your community for people to get behind the project," she said. "Us sitting here not being able to do a lot because we don't have much funds makes that difficult. Putting something down and getting something started would be huge for momentum."

The council took no action on the matter. Vander Broek acknowledged the overall project is huge in scope, but he believed it would be beneficial for generations of Hartley residents.

He urged the council's support and said the committee would continue applying for grants to help finance construction.

"People tell us that there's all types of grants out there, and they're right," he said. "But there's all types of people going after them."

Committee member Dan McCarty hoped the city would back the project and encouraged the council to promote the trail to its constituents.

"I think more than anything we need people to be talking it up and being positive about it, because there are naysayers already," he said.