According to Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove, the projects are still relatively on schedule, although last week’s rain created construction challenges for Rasch Construction as it worked on the trail project and for Nick Sesker Construction to complete work on the Community Center.

The Dayton Trail project is the last project for the Webster County Board of Supervisors’ multi-million dollar quality of life initiative approved in 2022. Both the Community Center and trail projects are funded through Destination Iowa Grants that were awarded to the city of Dayton and Webster County by the State of Iowa.

Although signs along the trail, which snakes along Iowa Highway 175, mark it as being closed, the city hopes to open it up shortly.

“The City Council will ultimately determine the trail rules and what types of transportation will be allowed,” said Cosgrove. “The intent of the project was to provide improved traffic for a variety of users and to connect the town to the rodeo grounds, Oak Park and Campground, the golf course, and the community center.”

The Community Center, which includes the new Oak Park Bar and Grill, may open before the end of August. It is along the trail.

The trail project represents the first phase of the Dayton Trail Master Plan.