Available Services

Grant Programs
Grant preparation services include applications for the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program, Land and Water Conservation fund (LAWCON), the Statewide Enhancement program, the National Recreational Trails program and the State Recreational Trails program.

Transportation Improvement Program
Recreation projects receiving federal funds, i.e., Regional and Statewide Enhancement funds or National Recreation Trails Funds, are incorporated into the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP). Copies of the MPO FY'03-05 TIP and INRTA FY'03-05 TIP will be available soon.

Non-Motorized Planning
Over the past two decades, INRCOG has played an integral role in the development of a multi-use recreational trail system in the metro area that is second to none in the state. A map of the Cedar Valley trail network, available in the Cedar Valley Trail and Outdoor Recreation Guide which was developed by INRCOG, is available in PDF format below by clicking on the picture of the Guide.

In addition, INRCOG continues to work on non-motorized accommodations at the regional level. Non-motorized planning services include off-road and on-road planning, mapping, grant writing, trail use monitoring and technical assistance relating to project development and implementation.

Cedar Valley Lakes
In addition to providing a myriad of recreational planning services, INRCOG served as staff support for the Cedar Valley Lakes project. Established in 1986, the Cedar Valley Lakes Project's vision was to create a large, water-oriented, recreation/conservation greenbelt along the Cedar River by capitalizing on opportunities created by federally financed highway construction projects. The Cedar Valley Lakes Project encompasses over 500 acres of surface water and over 65 miles of multi-use trails. While no longer active, the Cedar Valley Lakes Project was comprised of private citizens, representatives from area parks, tourism interests, and city and county staff.

The Cedar Valley Trails and Recreation Guide provides information on recreational opportunities in Black Hawk County and the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metropolitan area, including maps of the extensive land trail system, water trails, and city and county parks. Development of the guide was done with the assistance of the Black Hawk County Conservation Board, the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau, the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Cedar Falls Park Division, Waterloo Leisure Services, Iowa DNR, and the YMCA. Printing of the guide was made possible through donations made by the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association and a number of area sponsors, each of whom has copies of the guide available.

(Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the Cedar Valley Trails and Recreation Guide.)

Contacts

Kevin Blanshan, Director of Transportation & Data Services
Andrea White, Transportation Planner
Kyle Durant, Transportation Planner