Sibley trails project seeks funds

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SIBLEY, Iowa — They might call it “Pancakes for Pavement.”

The Osceola Recreation Trail Committee has started fundraising for its proposed 6.2-mile trail project around Sibley, and its next event is a pancake and sausage feed set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17 at the Sibley Senior Center.

“The bulk of the project will be paid for through donations, and we might have some limited grant money,” explained Tim Nobles, chairman of the committee. “We’ve started to do any fundraiser. We’re like, “Every dollar counts.’”

No city money is being used for the project.

“We’d like to get it started in one area of town,” said City Administrator Dan Janssen of the trail. “We’re thinking this is going to be a five-, six-year project; we’re going to do sections as we have funds available.”

Nobles said the committee’s first goal will be the installation of the first mile at a cost of about $40,000 this summer.

The trail will likely begin south of the Sibley Municipal Swimming Pool in Robinson Park. From there, the path will run east along the south side of the Sibley Golf and Country Club and north along the east side of the club.

“That will get us going, and we’ll go both directions from there,” Janssen added.

Nobles said the committee is also selling the 8- by 8-inch squares of concrete that will compose the trail. People can have plaques inserted in those squares in memory of loved ones or to advertise businesses.

“The fundraisers are as much about getting the word out as they are raising money,” Nobles said.

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