Walking trail officially opens this weekend

Welcome to the Kimball Community Trail. The Kimball Area Foundation Fund committee invites everyone to join them at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the east entrance of the trail for a grand opening celebration and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Although the trail has been in use throughout the summer, this will serve as the official opening date, according to committee members, and some fun activities have been planned.

Much planning and more than 750 volunteer, and even more paid, man hours have gone into making the trail, according to Jan Sears.

Though the dog park is not yet constructed, dogs are welcome. They must be leashed, current on vaccinations and must not be in heat. Committees are planning the confined dog park currently.

Because the grand opening is planned so close to Halloween, costumes are encouraged, for both citizens and their four-legged companions.

A doggie costume contest has been planned for the event with prizes for first, second and third places. Registration and judging will begin at 2.

After the ribbon cutting bicyclists can take to the trail, with walkers joining at 2:15, with or without dogs.

At 2:50 there will be a remote control racetrack demonstration at the far southeast corner of the area. Dave Haack and the crew at Z & S Construction are credited with building the "fun and versatile" racetrack.

Refreshments will be provided and the first 25 visitors will receive a free water bottle.

To get to the trail, travel south on Oak St to County Road 32, turn left (east) and travel to the east entrance. The committee plans to have signage directing motorists.

The trail was funded by many donation, including the Howard and Peggy Atkins donor advise fund and the Tom and Cynthia Olsen donor advise fund.