Dedication Ceremony Planned for Newest Segment of Maquoketa River Water Trail

Delaware County Conservation, in partnership with the Iowa DNR and ECIA, will host a dedication ceremony for the newest segment of the Maquoketa River Water Trail next week. 

The ceremony will be held next Tuesday, September 29th at 1 pm at Bailey’s Ford Park at 2379 Jefferson Road in Manchester. 

The Lower Delaware County segment is a 23-mile water trail that follows the Maquoketa River from Bailey’s Ford Park through Lake Delhi to Delaware County’s southern boundary. The segment features opportunities for paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation. Water trails are recreational routes on rivers and lakes that provide a unique experience for all types of river users including canoeists, kayakers, anglers, and motorized boat users. More than 1,200 miles of river across Iowa have already been designated as water trails. Designation of the Lower Delaware County Segment builds on the previously designated Upper Delaware County Segment. Designated in 2018, the upper segment of the water trail follows the Maquoketa River from Backbone State Park to Bailey’s Ford Park. 

Next Tuesday’s dedication ceremony will start with brief remarks from project partners and then those who attend are invited to participate in an optional river paddle from Bailey’s Ford Park to Turtle Creek Park. Those planning to participate in the paddle will need to provide their own boats, life jackets, and other equipment and will be required to sign a waiver. 

If you’d like to attend the ceremony or participate in the paddle, you’ll need to RSVP at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3fX0kS5k4D