Walking trail proposed, grant application okayed

Talk about it

SPRING VALLEY—The Spring Valley Village Board heard a proposal from the walking trail steering committee Wednesday.

Faye Jones, Eric Hatling, Paul Seeling and Corrine Hodapp outlined the benefits of a walking trail: kids can ride to school and downtown or to fish, family recreation and tourism. The path would be on the east side of Van Buren Street, will eventually create a loop and, in the long run, connect Spring Valley to Elmwood.

The group gave a brief history of the plan and told the board they were submitting a grant request to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The group prepared the grant application, but didn’t realize it had to be made through a municipality and is due by Saturday, May 1.

The group asked if the board would sponsor the application by approving authorization to apply. The board noted no property owners--including Board Member Wendy Leach--had been contacted and the $200,000 commitment was significantly higher than the village’s annual road budget of $60,000.

The board unanimously agreed a trail would be a boon to the village and approved applying. Leach voted no and Board Member Dale Jacobson explained his nay vote was made solely on the basis of the last-minute timing.

For more please read the April 14 print version of the Herald.

Tags: local news, spring valley, news, communities, recreation