I have been reading all of the articles and letters to the forum about extending the rail trail. I would like to see the trail extended to Humboldt.
With TV, computers and video games our population has become too sedentary. It has become more and more apparent that exercise is needed to make us healthy and we need to do whatever is necessary to encourage people to live a more healthy lifestyle.
There are grants available to take care of most of the expense involved. On a much smaller scale Humboldt has recently put up signs designating certain streets as bicycle routes to make it safer for those who are riding bicycles through the city. The route connects the parks, museum and other points of interest in the city. This was made possible though a Kansas Health Foundation Grant.
Last year we received a Sunflower Grant for a trail from the Centennial Park (the swimming pool) to the three ball parks. The elevated walking track at the Community Fieldhouse is also well used by all ages.
In the many meetings I have attended as a member of the Humboldt City Council I have heard of the im-portance of good parks and activities for those who are looking for a good place to live. We are told that when people drive into a town and see nice parks they take notice.
Don’t just say no. Iola is lucky to have the trail as it is now but it would be a really big asset to the town to have it extended.
Look at all that is available to accomplish what is needed to make Allen County a great place where people will want to visit or live.
Vada Aikins
Humboldt, Kan.
