U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' trails designated as National Recreation Trails

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that five of its recreation trails have been designated national recreation trails by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The five are among 28 trails nationwide designated this year as new national recreation trails, and will join the national network of more than 1,200 previously designated trails that encompass more than 14,000 miles of existing trails and trail systems.

The national recreation trail designation recognizes those trails that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. The first national trails were established in the early 1970s.

The following five USACE trails have been designated as 2013 national recreation trails:

Sugar Bottom Mountain Biking Trail System, Coralville Lake, Iowa City, Iowa

Set in rugged terrain surrounding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Coralville Reservoir on the Iowa River, this 13- mile trail is arranged as a one-way system of loops to create an extended continuous bike riding experience and serves riders of all skill levels. For sustainability and reduced maintenance, soil and high water challenges have been addressed with careful design. Sugar Bottom is considered by some to be the birthplace of mountain biking in Iowa, inspiring trails and clubs throughout the state.

Volksweg Trail, Lake Red Rock, Knoxville, Iowa

Volksweg is a Dutch word meaning "people's path," and this trail serves as a path connecting the picturesque city of Pella, Iowa to the recreation areas of Lake Red Rock on the Des Moines River. The trail traverses timbered areas, restored prairies, pine plantations, and open fields while offering spectacular views of the lake. It is maintained through a combined effort by the Marion County Conservation Board, the city of Pella, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

General Dacey Trail, Lake Shelbyville, Shelbyville, Ill.

The General Dacey Trial is a 4-mile multipurpose trail at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Lake Shelbyville. Those involved in fitness, family gatherings, educational opportunities and wildlife viewing are attracted to this trail. The success of the General Dacey Trail would not have been achieved without community pride and ownership. The trail has proved to be a catalyst for developing relationships between volunteers, contributors and partnering organizations.

Pomme de Terre Multipurpose Trail, Pomme de Terre Lake, Hermitage, Mo.

Pomme de Terre Trail is located on Bolivar Landing on the southern portion of Pomme de Terre Lake, and is a popular trail of horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers. The looped trail has several smaller loops, adding up to nearly 20 miles. The trail is scenic as it winds through various types of terrain. The Show-Me Missouri Back Country Horsemen, a non-profit volunteer service organization, keep the trail traffic flowing by contributing countless hours of volunteer labor.

Running River Trail, Pomme de Terre Lake, Hermitage, Mo.

Running River Trail is located in Outlet Park just below Pomme de Terre Dam. This 3.1-mile looped trail meanders along the Pomme de Terre River and through scenic woods. Designed for walking, jogging, and biking, the trail is promoted for healthier lifestyles through a Healthy Active Community collaborative effort involving the Hermitage School District, Hickory County Health Department, Hickory County Community Improvement Coalition and USACE. Being the only trail of its kind in the area, it serves a number of users annually.

Each of the five new trails will receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from the Secretary of the Interior and national recreation trail markers.

This year's designation of 28 new national trails adds almost 650 miles of trails to the National Trails System. These land and water trails connect people with nature and the great outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle, a core principle behind President Obama's America's Great Outdoors and First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside! initiatives.

The national recreation trail program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the national recreation trails website at http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

As the nation's largest federal provider of water-based recreation, USACE's more than 420 lake and river projects in 43 states provide more than 7,700 miles of diverse land and water trail systems. USACE officials credit the support of local public and private organizations and the thousands of volunteers annually in helping to make these trails available for public use.

For more information on USACE land and water trails and the many other recreation opportunities available at USACE sites, please visit www.CorpsLakes.us.

SOURCE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers