There’s some more good news for the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs recently announced the trail is one of five new “Iowa Great Places”.  The designation also comes with a hefty check, a $200,000 state grant to help support the trail’s public art initiative was also awarded.

Plans are to install significant public art structures and cultural amenities throughout the trail.  The first step in the project is the “Waukee Railroad Pergola – in the shadow of the rails”.  It’s a 350 foot long, 15 foot tall and 18 foot wide sculpture on the west side of Waukee that was designed by RDG artist David Dahlquist, who also designed the High Trestle Trail bridge near Madrid.

The Waukee project will cost more than $1 million to complete.  So far more $600,000 has been raised toward the project.  Trail officials hope to have the project fully funded in 2015 and construction could start later this year or early next.  The goal is to have it completed next year.