Funds needed for Wabash project

MALVERN, Iowa — Two short segments of trail within the cities of Malvern and Silver City will be paved next summer, thanks to an award of $450,000 in federal stimulus funds.

The Wabash Trace has an opportunity to receive more funding as other stimulus projects fall through or have lower costs than expected. The trail could be awarded $2 million or more.

To be eligible, engineering design specs need to be submitted by Sept. 29 to the Iowa Department of Transportation for connected segments of trail between Mineola and Malvern. That means the engineers need to start now, and funds are needed for the engineering.

The total engineering cost — $55,000 — must be paid with private contributions. Contributions so far include $20,000 from Ash Grove Charitable Foundation and $2,500 from funds recently contributed to the trail through Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

September pledges or gifts amounting to $32,500 are needed to set the stage for 12 miles of paved trail between Mineola and Malvern.

The design work is needed even if full funding does not become available to the trail right now. The specs will help secure funding from other sources for paving.

To give today or pledge support, designate checks for the “Wabash Trace” and send them to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 444, Des Moines, IA 50309-2321, go online to www.inhf.org and click “Donate Now” or call 1-800-475-1846.