The snow is getting less and less all of the time (we won’t talk about the upcoming forecast though!). Soon, we will be able to have full access to all of the bike trails here in town. For the Watertown Initiative, H20-20, (also symbolic for the consecutive exercise day for me today!) I am chairman of the Watertown Bike Trail Systems committee. I would take any input anybody would have as to ideas of how to improve the trails.

The city gets so much funding each year, and is able to set aside only so much each year, for upkeep, re-paving, and development of future trails in the city. Their is a plan in place to continue adding onto the existing trail over the next 5 years. In the meantime, we would like to know what else could be done. Signs, such as distance markers, bench seats, bike racks, port a potties, drinking fountains, bike rental stations, or anything you can think that would be of benefit out on the trail. This goes for everybody…walkers, runners, and bikers.

How can we help maintain the bike trails? Can we have sections where individual, or group volunteers, are in charge of keeping the trail clean: picking up garbage, sweeping the trail to keep glass and garbage off, and to help keep it safe for everyone to use. This also could include more drop points of having garbage cans around to dispose of the garbage. Get your thinking caps on. This trail system benefits us all in Watertown. We have a great trail system, and want to continue to maintain the current system, plus continue to develop more trails, particularly around the lake. Any suggestions would be of benefit.
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2020
Dan, We Pelicanites would love to see a bike trail go along the new bypass (that links Hwy 20 to the ethanol plant) south of 212 and then across 81 continuing along the bypass towards Walmart.
I think my family would happily volunteer to assist with maintenance of such a trail. Also, I know a lot of the 4H groups, Girl scouts and Boy scouts have service project requirements, and letting them sign up for spring litter clean-up along a certain segment is one idea.
Another idea is to link the bike to a Fitness Trail with stations along the way for certain fitness activities.
See the following link for an example: http://www.fittrail.com/20station.html