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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Trail users can stop at new playscape at Lamson Woods
Fairfield has gained national attention as a hotbed for artistic talent, cultural diversity and community wellness. A common link among these characteristics is the 30-mile Jefferson County Trails System. The centerpiece of the trails system is the 16-mile Fairfield Loop Trail. The loop trail was first conceived in 1997 and the final mile was completed in 2011. The Fairfield Loop Trail was recognized as the best trail in the state of Iowa at the 2013 Mid-America Trails and Greenways Conference held in Chicago, Illinois.
From rolling hills to wetlands to lakeside views, the Jefferson County Trails System showcases beautiful landscapes of rural Iowa. The trail system features numerous bridges, eight public art displays, five parks, and three lakes. Trail users traveling around the loop will experience over 800 feet of vertical climb, pass by the Golden Domes at Maharishi International University, and visit the National Register of Historic Places Maasdam Barns and Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm.
At 246 feet long, the Louden Bridge is one of the loop trail’s largest bridges. The bridge passes over the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe mainline railroad tracks. The Louden Bridge is not only a bridge, but also a piece of art. The bridge is covered with a galvanized steel superstructure which resembles a barn roof, and includes 171 glazed tile artwork pieces showcasing the Louden Machinery Company. The glazed tile artwork pieces were made by the late Mark Shafer’s high school art classes.
The Jefferson County Trail System connects major parks in the Fairfield area including: Waterworks Park, Chautauqua Park, Lamson Woods State Preserve, Jefferson County Park, and Whitham Woods. Fondly referred to as “Fairfield’s emerald necklace” the loop trail provides a continuous corridor of green space between each of the five parks listed above.
The loop trail is open to walkers, runners, bikers, and cross-country skiers. Motorized vehicles and horseback riding are not allowed on the loop trail. The loop trail is open daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more trail information, go to www.jeffersoncountytrails.org
Several important improvements were made on the Loop Trail in 2023, and more changes are coming in 2024. A Natural Playscape was constructed at Lamson Woods Park in the southeast corner of the loop trail in 2023. This playscape includes four nature-themed pieces of playground equipment, including multiple swings and climbing structures. Also in 2023, a small trailhead parking lot at the corner of North 8th and Gear Ave. was constructed. This much-needed parking lot provides off-street parking for trail users. The trailhead kiosk maps and accompanying pamphlet maps are being updated this year, so keep your eyes open for fresh maps late in 2024.
Avid trail users are familiar with the trail closures at Highway 1 south and Greased Lightning Lift Station in 2023. Neither of these projects are complete, so expect closures again in 2024 — however the Highway 1 south project will bring an additional half-mile of trail into the trails system when complete. Trail users should expect another trail closure in 2024 along east Burlington Ave. while the City of Fairfield replaces the road bridge over Crow Creek.
For the 10th year in a row, the Jefferson County Trails Council will host a scavenger hunt along the trail. Participants will pick up punch cards at trails heads or The RIDE Bicycle Shop, and use the map and clues contained therein to find all the punches along the route. The scavenger hunt starts Memorial Day weekend and ends during the Fairfield First Fridays event July 5, when prizes will be awarded.
