People who use a main recreational trail through the Raccoon Valley Radio area can enjoy it even more for free next year.

Greene County Conservation Director Tanner Scheuermann says the Raccoon River Valley Trail will no longer charge a permit fee for anyone to use it in Greene, Guthrie and Dallas Counties. Scheuermann explains the reasons behind the decision.

“We were actually one of the first trails and one of the first (in the state) to have the ability to charge a trail pass. Since then there’s not a lot of trails out there that really even charge a trail fee anymore and regulation and enforcement on that is pretty tough too. Especially, you know we’ve got three full time staff, we don’t have somebody out on the trail everyday looking for trail passes and checking people.”

The permits will stop in 2024 but if there are larger events happening on the trail, then a permit is still required.