The Washington County Conservation Board has had a desire to make improvements to the Kiwi Avenue crossing of the Kewash Nature Trail for some time, and thanks to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, the project is now completely funded. At the WCRF grant awards presentation, Washington County Conservation was given a grant in the amount of $27,846. When added to a $1,000 donation they were given from the RAGBRAI organization, and $9,000 from Resource Enhancement and Protection grants, they have reached their goal for the project.

Conservation Director Steve Anderson says the improvements to the Kiwi Avenue crossing were desperate enough, even RAGBRAI noticed a need as they passed through. He says, “Since we took the trail over, we have seen this need, and it’s awesome to get it addressed. We have participation of the Washington County Engineer’s Office, plus just about the entire community of Washington County, so it’s wonderful to get this done. Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s the worst place on the trail. This is something that, if there was one need out there, this was the one, so it’s great.” Anderson says construction on the trail, which will include paving the whole area and being ADA compliant, will begin in the spring. He’s hopeful the project will be finished by early summer.

The bridge over Crooked Creek on the Kewash Trail. Photo courtesy of Kierstan Peck.