Input Sought On Proposed Glenwood-Mineola Trail

Mills County residents are encouraged to attend Monday night’s annual meeting of the Mills County Trail Board to take part in discussions about a proposal to create a recreational trail that would connect the city of Glenwood with Mineola and the Wabash Trace Trail that runs from Council Bluffs to Blanchard.

Shawn Koehler, president of the Mills County Trail Board, said a trail system connecting the Glenwood and Mineola communities would promote health, recreation, education and tourism.

“What excites me about this is seeing how other communities have been postivitely impacted by trails,” Koehler said. “A trail would spur more family bike rides by Glenwood and Mineola residents as well as provide another walking path for others. It’s a chance to showcase arts and nature and trails are a simple way for communities to promote active lifestyles.”

Koehler said ideally the proposed trail would be 10 feet wide and utilized for walking, running, biking, horseback and outdoor nature classes for children.

Trail board members are hopeful landowners and other county residents interested in the idea will attend the Jan. 19 meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola.

Last year, the county trail board hosted informational meetings around the county and solicited input from citizens regarding the location and types of trails they would like to see in Mills County. The Glenwood-Mineola link is being considered as a first option for the county because of its relatively short distance.