“I thought a trail would be an asset to people with a lot of different needs,” Kuhn told more than 40 people who gathered in Laurel Park Wednesday afternoon. “Thank you to everyone that helped to make this a reality for my personal pay it forward goal.”

Kuhn, along with a committee of Webster County Supervisors, Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove, Snyder & Associates of Ankeny, Howrey Construction of Rockwell City, the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, and community members all helped to shape that dream into 1.75 miles of trail within the Gowrie city limits.

The trail, which begins at Laurel Park, was formally named the Freedom Trail and was dedicated Wednesday afternoon. According to Kuhn, the first record of a Fourth of July celebration in Gowrie with a parade and fireworks was in 1882, and the trail committee wanted to honor the local tradition of patriotism for nearly 150 years.

“I love it,” said Kuhn. “Thank you everyone.”

-Messenger photo by Kelli Bloomquist
Gowrie Trail Committee member Andrea Kuhn and Snyder & Associates Project Manager Spencer Wignall show attendees of Wednesday’s ribbon cutting the information that will be on the trailhead kiosk located in Laurel Park in Gowrie.

The trail project is part of an $11 million Webster County quality of life project which also includes trails in Badger and Dayton, as well as the newly built Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center.

“This is awesome to see this all come together,” said Webster County Supervisor Nathan Montgomery. “It’s great for a small community like Gowrie. I’ve seen the trail getting good use, and it’s great to see it come to fruition.”

Work on the trail began in 2021 with former Supervisor Mark Campbell and Cosgrove meeting with the Gowrie City Council and mayor to discuss quality of life projects in rural areas. A committee including Kuhn, Cosgrove, Campbell, Phil DeCastro, Chad Loseke, Austin Promes, Lynn Rittgers, Mindy Swieter, and architects at Snyder & Associates met to create a master plan that looped the trail around Gowrie. The original plan was to be completed in six phases with construction beginning on July 17, 2024.

According to Kuhn, the original trail plan was to end Phase 1 at Mulligans and have the trailhead kiosk there. However, as construction materials increased in price the plan had to be scaled back with the kiosk moved to Laurel Park near the Gowrie Swimming Pool and Southeast Valley High School football field and track.

Kuhn, along with Spencer Wignall, project manager at Snyder & Associates, showed attendees at the dedication the graphics of the trail system, rules for utilizing the trail, and Gowrie photos that will all be placed on the kiosk.

“Doesn’t it just look great?” asked Kuhn.

While the Gowrie Trail may now be open for running, biking, and skating, Kuhn and the trail committee are hoping that residents will continue to support the project.

“We wish for an organization to choose the trail as their service project,” said Kuhn. “Perhaps a cement pad for a maintenance-free aluminum solar-lighted flag pole with a flag and extra flags for replacement of weathered flags. Perhaps donations for installation of a cement pad to mount a Gowrie Freedom Trail Rock to be painted by local artists with shrubbery approved by the Gowrie Parks Board.”

Now that the Gowrie and Badger trails have been completed and dedicated, construction of the Dayton Trail is anticipated to begin next week. Dayton’s Trail is expected to be completed before the annual Dayton Rodeo, which is held over Labor Day weekend.

“I have to give credit to former Supervisor Mark Campbell,” said Montgomery. “He went out of his way to make sure Dayton and Gowrie also benefited from the trails, so it’s great to see this progress, and I hope to build upon that.”