An August donation to the Dallas County Conservation Board inspired more just like it, and the “Let’s Connect” project is now around $7,000 closer to being funded.
10-year-old Tate Boyd of Urbandale donated his half birthday to the connector trail, and brought in a check for $350. Conservation Director Mike Wallace was so impressed by the donation, he challenged others to match it with funds of their own. In the weeks that followed, several more donations would arrive, including a check of $5,000 at the end of August. The $7,000 brings the project to bridge the 9-mile gap between the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Perry and High Trestle Trail in Woodward closer to its $5 million price tag.
Construction of phase one is nearly complete, which includes the initial 1.5 miles of trail starting in Perry and working east. Conservation plans to open the segment some time in the coming weeks. Phase two is slated to begin in 2019, which will start in Woodward and progress west. The design and route for the trail is complete, and easements are in place, but the project still needs funding. Wallace encourages people to continue donating what they can, and sees birthday donations via social media as a great method for doing so.
For more information about the “Let’s Connect” project or to donate to the cause, call Dallas County Conservation at 515-465-3577 or click the link below.
