The strength of the Trails Advisory Group would lie in its ability to forge partnerships and bring all the different levels or jurisdictions of government together for one cause. By bringing representatives of a variety of trails developers, funders, and advocates to the same table, Iowa's statewide trails vision can be more effectively implemented as a common vision. At the current rate of trail development in Iowa, the statewide trails vision set forth in Iowa Trails 2000 would take approximately 56 years to complete. Iowa is currently building approximately 78 miles of trails per year, generally accomplished by local communities with funding assistance from state sources. This rate should be at least doubled.
Trails are in high demand.
Throughout the public involvement process for Iowa Trails 2000 there has been extensive support for more trails in the state. Whether through specific trail corridor suggestions or general sentiment, the people of Iowa have placed a high priority on trails implementation. The statewide trails vision should be a high priority task for the state as a whole. More Proactive Role by State Agencies Previous to Iowa Trails 2000, the DOT has principally acted as a trail funder, and has not been an active developer of trails in the state. The DOT and other state agencies should increase their direct involvement in trails projects, in part to resolve the dilemma of lack of funding in some regions of the state.