In 1956, the name Lynnville-Sully evolved when Lynnville High School and Sully High School combined. Those not from the immediate area may not even realize the two towns are separate, connected by Hwy. F62, several gravel roads, and a school district. Over a decade ago, a committee was formed to connect the two towns by yet another means – a biking trail or walking path that could be used by walkers, bikers, joggers, and runners. A trail would move those community members off the busy highways and roadways to a safer place to exercise and be a place where people could enjoy the great outdoors possibly along the scenic North Skunk River or through trees and timber. After much work, the idea stalled out with lack of property owner support.
Fast forward a decade or more, and the trail idea is on both towns’ improvement project list. City leaders agree a trail is a positive marketing tool to attract families to move to the area and visitors to use the trail. In 2015, both the Lynnville City Council and Sully City Council approved joining the Jasper County Hometown Pride Committee. While both towns have been working independently on several projects with the county’s coach, Jeff Davidson, the two groups have also been collaborating together with a civil engineering class from the University of Iowa. As the final project before graduation, these students have proposed four possible trail options to connect the two towns of Lynnville and Sully. Possible trail heads in Lynnville are the Wagaman Mill and the Lynnville Ballpark. Possible trail heads in Sully are the Sully Ballpark, Freedom Rock Park, and Lynnville-Sully School.
Potentially saving the community tens of thousands of dollars by this design work done for free by U of I students, the group is excited to hear community input. A meeting was held nearly three weeks ago with possible land owners affected by the trail proposals. As with any new idea, there were several supporters, several neutral, and some against having the trail cross their property.
The Hometown Pride Committees of both towns are still hopeful a trail alignment can be chosen where property owners can support the project. Members welcome the community’s input. Sully’s Hometown Pride Committee members are Diane Vos, Craig Maasdam, Stacey Nikkel, and Nick DePenning. Lynnville’s Hometown Pride Committee members are Linda Russell, Roy James, and Faye Brand. The first week of May, U of I students will be presenting their final design concepts to the Hometown Pride Committees.
Watch for future updates on the trail project in weeks to come.
Bike/Walk Trail Positives
- Safety First – runners, walkers, and bikers who normally use Hwy. F62 will be off the highway and safe from traffic.
- Marketing – an accessible bike/walk trail will attract families and visitors.
