(Spirit Lake)– A major extension of a recreational trail through Dickinson and Osceola counties may be in the offing.
Representatives of the Dickinson County Trails Association and the Osceola County Conservation Board, which oversees recreational trails in that county, are negotiating the purchase of the former Iowa Northwestern rail line. The 37-mile line runs from Allendorf on the west to just west of Superior on the east.
The two entities are applying for a grant that would cover atleast a portion of the cost to purchase the line. The Dickinson county board of supervisors signed off on a letter of support for the grant application at their meeting Tuesday. The letter doesn’t mention the amount that’s being sought. Supervisor Pam Jordan says they’re reluctant to release that as negotiations with the railroad continue.
It’s been several years since trails last ran over the line. Rail and ties have already been removed from the west of the line to east of Lake Park.
