2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

SPENCER TRAILS The Spencer Trail network consists of nearly six miles of paved dedicated trails for running, biking and general recreational use. There are two (2) trail bridges crossing the Little Sioux River; one on the east and west sides of Grand Avenue (Highway 71). These trail bridges allow for greater accessibility and safety of pedestrians and bikers trying to get from the south side of Spencer to the North side of the community. In 2013, the city completed a significant link in its trail network with the completion of the west bridge over the Ocheyedan River and trail segment from West Leach Park to Thunder Bridge. This mile plus long segment now connects two heavily utilized trail areas in Spencer, these being the Riverview Park/East Leach Park west to the OxbowWildlife Area and north to Stolley Park and Pond. There is also a major trail segment which follows 10 th Avenue East along the city’s east side connecting parks, schools and other recreational amenities. This east trail segment provides residents ease of access with the east bridge over the Little Sioux River from the city’s south side to recreational areas on the city’s east side. This route is often used by children riding their bikes to school or the city’s recreational areas. In recent years, the city has moved forward with conversion a city owned railroad right-of-way from abandoned railroad tracks to a viable recreation trail in the north central portion of the community. The city completed the first block of this new trail along the west side of North School Park. The trail segment is proposed to run from North School Park to the northern city limits. Eventually, the city will connect the city’s trail network to an initiative underway by the Clay County Trails Committee to expand the county’s trails north to connect to the expansive Iowa Great Lakes Trail network in Dickinson County.

Above: Moose Pond Trail Below: Thunder Bridge Trail

Below: A new residential trail segment near North School Park

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NW Iowa Planning & Development