The Kalona City Council is moving forward with a multi-million dollar trail project. As part of that work, the council has approved a $317,400 contract with MSA Engineering in Cedar Falls for engineering and design work.

The new 2.7-mile trail would connect City Park with SouthTown Vista Park, with the construction of a new pedestrian bridge that crosses the English River. 

Two options were presented to the council, depending on whether construction is completed as a single project or as a two-phase project. The single project plan would cost $3.8 million and would be completed some time in 2027. The two-phase project would cost $4.2 million and would see the northern half of the trail completed in 2026, with the southern half being completed in 2028. Kalona City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh explains that the council’s funding strategy will determine which project they will ultimately follow, “The council will have to weigh those options here in the near future as we start to come up with a funding plan and a mechanism to go ahead and try to pay for this through donated funds, grants, reserves and any sort of borrowing that could be utilized for a trail of this nature as well.”

The cost of the MSA Engineering contract will be paid using funds donated specifically for the trail project. Schlabaugh says the city is always looking out for grant opportunities, and will work with outside organizations to help develop a plan for larger grants at the state and federal level.