Civil & Engineering students will provide a design and cost estimates for a proposed fitness trail connecting several community facilities and amenities in Keokuk.
The community of Keokuk seeks to develop more outdoor recreational opportunities for use of people of all ages, which they consider integral in recruiting and retaining residents. They hope to add new trails and route development, however the cost and access to land can be prohibited.
The Keokuk Hawthorne Elementary (K-3), Southeastern Community College and Keokuk Catholic Schools have contiguous campuses of an area of nearly 40 acres, which is a mix of grassy prairie and oak woods. There is a lack of connected sidewalks to all of these facilities. A small informal patchwork of foot trails run between them, however, are not formally maintained.
Keokuk officials are seeking assistance from students to design an outdoor fitness trail that would have easy to maintain exercise stations along the path. The path need not be paved, but most likely some type of soft surface gravel or grass. Connecting these facilities could be of great use to students and community members of all types. This plan should include mapping, possible designs and a cost estimate.
This project includes two phases from University of Iowa students. During the Fall 2019 semester, Civil & Environmental Engineering students will design the trail route and surface. During the Spring 2020 semester, Sport & Recreation Management students will develop a plan for excercise stations along the trail.
Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.
Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities Contact Info
University Faculty Contact
Local Government / Community Contact