The City of Manning is looking to expand its existing trail to connect its Hausbarn Heritage Park to be included along the route. The current three-mile walking/bike path travels all through town, from Great Western Park on the west side of Manning to Trestle Park to the north and as far south as the IKM-Manning School building. The new trail extension will include crossing East Street, going through the Willow Creek Campsite, connecting to the Cobblestone Inn and Suites, and ending at the Hausbarn Heritage Park, allowing most of the city’s attractions to be reached by traveling along the path. This project is contingent on the city receiving the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which will be given to communities to help finance projects to boost and maintain natural and cultural resources. If accepted, the grant will fund $75,000 of the proposed $112,000 needed to pave the half-a-mile trail addition. The City of Manning received the REAP grant consecutively from fiscal year 2014 through 2016 to add 5,850 feet to the original trail, an underpass at Highway 141, and a pedestrian bridge over the West Nishnabotna River. The deadline to apply for the funding is Aug. 15, with recipients being notified shortly after. The City of Manning will look at finalizing any planning for this project once REAP funding is secure. If grant funding is unavailable, the project will be pushed back to the next fiscal year.
