As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a group of students will design new trail segments to create regional trail connections in Lyon County, Iowa. 

Lyon County seeks to identify opportunities for new trail segments and trail extensions that create a more connected regional system serving residents, students, and visitors.

This project will focus on developing new trail segments connecting the communities of Inwood, Alvord, and Lester, with a particular focus on a trail connecting Inwood and the Lake Pahoja Recreation Area and establishing a new trail connection from Lake Pahoja to West Lyon Community School. The design team will evaluate potential trail corridors, identify engineering considerations, and develop conceptual designs that improve safety, accessibility, and recreational opportunities while supporting active transportation throughout Lyon County.

In addition to trail segments, the project will explore opportunities for trailhead development, including amenities such as parking, restrooms, picnic shelters, wayfinding signage, and other facilities that enhance the user experience and support increased trail use.

The design team will:

• Evaluate existing trails in Inwood, Alvord, and Lester to identify opportunities for improved trail connectivity.
• Assess potential trail corridors based on engineering feasibility, environmental conditions, land use, safety, and accessibility.
• Develop designs and plans for new trail segments.
• Design trailhead concepts that provide amenities supporting trail users and long-term maintenance.
• Consider ADA accessibility, roadway crossings, drainage, and other engineering considerations in trail design.

Project deliverables may include:

• Existing conditions inventory and site analysis. Evaluation of potential trail corridors.
• Conceptual trail segments connecting Inwood, Alvord, and Lester, with a detailed conceptual design for the Inwood-to-Lake Pahoja trail connection and trail connection to West Lyon Community School.
• Trailhead concept plans, including amenities such as parking, restrooms, shelters, seating, bicycle parking, and wayfinding signage.
• Preliminary engineering recommendations for roadway crossings, drainage, grading, and accessibility.
• Planning-level cost estimates and implementation priorities.
• Final report with maps, conceptual designs, and recommendations for future design and construction.