Taking healthy and safe steps together

Progress continues on the Kimball Community Trail Project, being organized and coordinated by the Kimball Area Foundation Fund. A loop of just over one mile covered with asphalt millings is currently being worked on at the City owned property, on County Road 22. It will provide convenient, year round access for area residents and visitors. Other features will include remote control track, a dog park, benches, shaded rest areas and trees. The trail project hopes to promote improvement in citizen health and safety.

Some health benefits include: more energy, greater confidence, happier disposition and a slimmer and fitter physique. “Our communities shape our health. Having access to safe, connected sidewalks and trails are a key community support for good health. Many chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer can be prevented through a daily dose of physical activity. We are proud Kimball is being so proactive in the development of a trail system and looking at the community overall to enhance walking, biking, and rolling to key community points like the school, pool, hospital, grocery store, and downtown businesses. Many community surveys, focus groups, and interviews have asked for this level of work to support an active lifestyle and it’s exciting to see all of the “shoes-on-the-ground” helping to bring it to fruition!” wrote Jessica Davies, Assistant Health Director & Wellness Coordinator, Panhandle Public Health District and Trail Committee member.

The safety benefit of the trail is that it provides a safe alternative to busy public streets and roadways for walking, running, roller blading and bicycling. It will provide a place that citizens, their families and pets can recreate together in a protected and traffic free area. We are all too aware of horror stories of accidents and near accidents involving walkers, runners and bicyclists.

“ For safety reasons, I believe the trail will be beneficial for Kimball residents by providing a walking and biking area that is free from stairs, driveways, curbs, intersections, and most importantly, free from traffic!” stated Terry Bourlier a member of the Kimball Community Trail Committee and an avid bicyclist.

Key project benefits to the community include:

*Adds to a community-driven walk-ability and bike-ability need per a recent Panhandle Health Survey Assessment

*Provides a minimal to no-cost recreation opportunity to area citizens and their families, and is a way for the community to meet and interact along the trail

*Boosts community image

*Starts a greater community trail initiative for future expansion

Amy Sapp, City of Kimball Special Projects Coordinator, Trail Committee member and Kimball Area Foundation Fund member stated: “The City of Kimball Economic Development Department is pleased that the Kimball Area Foundation Fund has taken the bulls by the horn with the Kimball Community Trail and are making things happen. A trail in our community can be seen as an amenity by residents and businesses looking to relocate to Kimball while also increasing property values of properties that are in close proximity to the trail. Trails not only provide a safe place for our children and families to walk, ride, or roll; but also give a sense of place and community pride. Thank you to all the volunteers involved in this project.”

The campaign is being launched with donations from The Howard and Peggy Atkins Donor Advised Fund and from the Erin Aerni Memorial Fund. Future funding will be from 1:1 matching grants from the Atkins Donor Advised Fund up to $20,000 raised in the community. Kimball community members must donate or raise up to $20,000 in funds to receive the matching donation from the Atkins! Costs include construction costs, tree planting, mulch, benches and rest areas, fencing, dog park fencing, maintenance, expansion and other enhancements. Please be part of the movement to make Kimball a healthier, safer and more inviting place to live!

Checks can be made to Kimball Area Foundation Fund, with Kimball Community Trail in the memo field. Mail to PO Box 483, Kimball NE 69145 or you can give online by using this link and selecting Kimball Trails Project Account. https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/kimball-area-foundation-fund . Please be sure to designate that the donation is to go to the Kimball Trail in either of these donation venues. Upon request, project presentations can be made to your group, organization or family.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact us at [email protected] or contact one of these committee members: Lana Anderson 308-225-1948 or Jean Gilbert 406-451-6948.