The City of Sioux Center is working to join forces with the goal of completing a regional connector trail.
The proposed trail would connect from Sandy Hollow to Orange City, and link to new and existing trails in Sioux Center, Orange City, and near Alton, stretching a total of more than 15 miles when complete.
This week, the Sioux Center City Council approved collaborating with Orange City, Sioux County, and Sioux County Trails to develop an application for a Destination Iowa grant to help fuel the about $5 million proposed project. The application will seek approximately $2 million from the grant program, created as part of COVID relief to support attractions in Iowa that could have a regional impact.
City Manager Scott Wynja noted that trails provide recreation and fitness opportunities, and also can play a role in economic and community development.
“This is one of those unique opportunities we see for a regional destination-type project,” Wynja said. “One of our strategic goals in the council’s planning process was recreation trails, so we feel this is a great opportunity to request some dollars toward this project.”
The project proposes adding a trail link in southeast Sioux Center, along 20th St. and 13th Ave. SE, and a trail link between Orange City and Alton, as well as connecting existing trail at Sandy Hollow Recreation Area near Sioux Center to Orange City, linking the two communities.
The council voted unanimously to approve a letter of support toward the application and pledge local matching funding along with the other entities if the grant is approved.
Imagery: Google