The Council Bluffs entrance to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and major portions of the Council Bluffs Trails System will reopen to the public at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, September 3^rd.  These areas have been closed due to flooding.  To ensure these and other sections can be safely used by the public, the City is closing its trails at dark and advising users to be especially cautious when using the trails. 

Although the majority of these trails are in excellent condition, visitors should remain alert to their surroundings and the trail’s surface.  The trails along the Missouri River, Indian Creek and Mosquito Creek were especially impacted by the flood.  Users of these trails may find sections to be worn and uneven.  In other locations, trail users will encounter pipe crossing.  These are necessary to accommodate the pumping which will continue along the levee for some time.  Bicyclists and pedestrians are advised to proceed slowly and with caution in these areas. 

Additionally, the ongoing security, maintenance, inspections and potential construction activities associated with the levees will significantly increase the normal vehicle traffic on the levee trails.  As a result, users must be alert to encountering vehicles along the trails. Although the majority of the Council Bluffs trails will reopen on Saturday, some sections cannot be opened to the public until the river level recedes.  The trail sections that remain closed are: 

• The Riverfront Trail from Harrahs to the Western Trail Center
• The Manawa Trail from Redtail Road to the Iowa West Trail Head Park
• The Big Lake Trail

For further information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 712-328-4650.