From Names in Concrete to 13 Miles of Trails: The History Behind Oskaloosa’s Recreation Trail
Lindsey Holmburg and Makenzie Burk from MCRF visited the Oskaloosa News studio to talk about how the trail began
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – In 1998, a small section of concrete marked the start of what is now 13 miles of recreational trails around Oskaloosa. Today, these trails link neighborhoods, parks, and important parts of the community’s history.
Recently, Lindsey Holmburg and Makenzie Burk from MCRF visited the Oskaloosa News studio to talk about how the trail began, what it takes to keep it up, and some stories that many residents might not know.
This conversation came after an Oskaloosa News tram tour of the trail system. It gave people a chance to learn more about a community project that has been growing for almost thirty years.
It Started with a Few Names in Concrete
The first section of the trail was poured on Veterans Day in 1998 near South Seventh Street and Fox Run Drive.
On that day, third-grade students from Webster Elementary School wrote their names in the wet concrete. Their names are a lasting reminder of their part in the project.
Nearly 28 years later, that original section remains in place.
Burk said that while many other parts of the trail have needed repairs or replacement, the first section has never had to be replaced.
Some of the children who wrote their names in 1998 are now adults. A few have even come back to the trail as teachers with today’s elementary students.
The trail’s beginnings can be traced to community leaders Joe Crookham and Carl Dross, who helped develop the original vision.
In the early days, planning included looking at maps, taking notes, and talking about possible routes and property owners.
An idea that started small eventually became the 13-mile trail system that residents use today.
Maintaining 13 Miles Takes a Community Effort
Maintaining the trail takes teamwork from MCRF, the City of Oskaloosa, and nearby property owners.
Holmburg said the organization and the city have agreements that split up the maintenance work.
City crews mow some parts of the trail, especially where it goes through city property like Edmundson Park and areas near the water treatment plant.
MCRF takes care of other maintenance jobs, such as fixing the trail surface and looking after the trees.
Burk said that mowing by itself can be a big job, especially during rainy summers when the grass grows fast. The trail also benefits from residents who help care for areas near the trail.
For example, along Sheriff Avenue between William Penn University and Oskaloosa High School, nearby property owners have planted flowers and added landscaping.
Other parts of the trail have small gnome villages and fairy gardens, which are fun surprises for people walking or biking along the route.
Oskaloosa History Along the Trail
Besides being a place for recreation, parts of the trail also connect people to Oskaloosa’s past.
Some sections of the trail follow old railroad routes, including one linked to President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Oskaloosa for the YMCA opening.
Burk also talked about John F. Lacey, a former Iowa congressman from Oskaloosa who helped shape early federal conservation laws.
The trail system shares information about Lacey’s work, and the John F. Lacey Recreation Complex still honors his ties to the community.
Holmburg said the recreation complex covers about 152 acres, and much of this land was donated at the start.
MCRF keeps working to improve and care for these recreational areas, while also keeping the community’s history alive.
Tram Tours Introduce Residents to the Trail
For people who can’t walk or bike the whole trail, MCRF offers guided tram tours.
Burk said the organization has been giving these tours for about 15 to 20 years.
About 1,200 people join the tours each summer, which usually run from May to October.
The tours are for schoolchildren, nursing home residents, community groups, and anyone else who wants to learn about the trail.
Tour lengths can be changed to fit different groups and what they need.
The 2026 tram tour season is over, but the organization is already planning for future opportunities.
MCRF is also looking for more volunteer tram drivers.
More Trail Stories to Come
This recent studio conversation is just the start of a series of Oskaloosa News stories about the trail system.
Future stories will spotlight different parts of the trail, local history, and attractions that some residents might not have seen yet.
Holmburg and Burk invite community members to share their memories, photos, and any historical information they have about the trail.
These stories could help MCRF add more information to future tram tours.
For almost thirty years, the trail has been a place for exercise, fun, and bringing the community together.
From the names that elementary students wrote in concrete in 1998 to the thousands who use the trail now, this project is still a big part of Oskaloosa’s history.
And for those who walk the same part of the trail every day, there might be a new section of the 13-mile trail just waiting to be explored.
