City supports Rock River Trail Initiative

STERLING – City Council members voiced their support of the Rock River Trail Initiative Monday night.

The goal of the group is to provide access for all to the natural resources, recreational opportunities, scenic beauty and historic and cultural assets of the Rock River.

The 300-mile route runs from the river’s source in Fond du Lac, Wis., to the Mississippi River in Rock Island.

Sterling City Manager Scott Shumard said the group’s goals complement Sterling’s vision for development along its riverfront.

“We had talked about canoe-launching points, and this is one of the big things,” he said. “If we can make this a stopping point along the trail for canoers on paddling trips, that would be a great benefit for us.”

Shumard also said promoting the trail could help boost the local economy.

“I think anything we can do to spur development as far as recreational activity is going to be a benefit to us economically, and I think make us a more attractive community overall,” he said.

David Druen, one of the coordinators of the initiative and a Friends of the Hennepin Canal volunteer, said many local groups are signing resolutions to support the initiative.

The group’s organizers also want individual cities to pass measures recognizing the initiative and its goals, so people are aware of what the project is all about.

“We want to make it a state and national water trail,” Druen said. “Hopefully in the future, you will have these two water trails along with the bike trails meeting, and that’s going to do nothing but benefit economic development and whatever projects are going along here for the riverfront.”

Sterling Mayor Skip Lee said the initiative is a “very worthwhile project.”

“One of our biggest jewels is the river, and this will help develop it,” he said.