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JEWELL - Progress on the new trail between Jewell and Ellsworth has moved along to the point that the final two pieces of property needed have now been purchased with assistance from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

"This was a real milestone for us," said Brian Lammers, executive director of Hamilton County Conservation, about the project that is a cooperative effort among his department and the towns of Jewell and Ellsworth. "Multiple things had to go together to make it happen.

"The biggest hurdle is past," he said. "Now it's a matter of getting construction money to do it."

The trail, which will be about eight miles in length when completed, has been named the Jewellsworth Trail and will utilize the former Union Pacific rail bed and other property as it connects the two towns in a new way. It will also utilize the one-mile Jubilee Trail, in the town of Jewell since 1995.

Work has begun on clearing sections of the trail, although so far it is still a challenge to visualize bikers and walkers enjoying the trail. On a recent driving tour along the route, though, Lammers pointed out where it will be. On the east side of Jewell, the Vulgamott family donated half of the 2.13 acres needed to connect the new trail with the Jubilee Trail. A REAP grant was utilized to purchase the other half of that needed 900 feet and to do some development. Some clearing has already started in that area.

In Ellsworth, several pieces of property owned by the Prairieland Co-op was donated for the project. A local hunting club donated some of their property that lies along the route of the trail. Grants were used to purchase other needed land along the trail.

One unique feature of the trail between the two towns is that it runs alongside the Anderson Marsh, a large area that according to Lammers is one of the most pristine marshes in the state. "The roadway has lots of native grasses along it," Lammers said. "We hope to re-establish that."

There is a proposed bike trail in each town that will connect to the Jewellsworth Trail. Lammers said there has been "wonderful public support by both communities" on the trail project, which started in 2006.

"The only thing I would continue to ask for is their patience and their donations as they can do it," Lammers continued. "Any of these grants require a 25 percent local match, and that's why it's important to get public support to fund these projects. We appreciate donations because that will go toward our local match."

According to Lammers, donations for the trail can be made through the Jewell Area Development Enterprise or Friends of Conservation Trust Fund.

Plans are for the surface of the Jewellsworth Trail to be concrete, and federal funding from a grant in 2010 may be used for funding to pave some of the trail. Lammers said that after the first section is constructed "we will start going with a trail out to Little Wall Lake, so the trail will connect from the town of Ellsworth all the way to Little Wall Lake."

Because funding for the trail is coming from grants, the timeline for completion is still uncertain. The next step is applying for additional recreation trail funds through state and federal programs. If funds are received, construction could begin in 2010.

"The trail is an investment for generations to come," Lammers said. "Trails have proven themselves to be an asset for the local economy and for health. There are just so many benefits to this."

Lammers is convinced the new trail in southern Hamilton County has lots of potential. "The trail is an investment for generations to come," he said.

Contact Billie Shelton at editor@freemanjournal.net or call 832-4350