(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Over 20 bicycle rides participated in the 2023 ‘Tour de Parks’ free, community bicycle ride around Atlantic organized by Nishna Valley Trails and Cass County Conservation. While this year Tour de Parks offered a shorter route option, Nishna Valley Trails President Dave Chase said he was “really impressed that everyone elected to try the long route, and found that there are places to safely ride bikes without hills in Atlantic.

Now in its third year, Tour de Parks offers participants the chance to ride on both trails and streets as they visit various parks where area organizations greet them and share information.

Ride stops and highlights:
1. The first stop this year was at Sunnyside Park, which offers tennis and pickleball courts, in addition to one of the best disc golf courses in Iowa. At Sunnyside, Atlantic City Councilperson Elaine Otte gave an update on the Splash Pad Project.
2. At Cedar Park, Atlantic Lions Club President Alan Ladd and Lion Greg Schuler shared information on their club and the club’s community projects including improvements to Cedar Park itself.
3. The third stop on the ride was the Rotary Shelter at the Schildberg Recreation Area where Rotarian Dolly Bergman talked about Atlantic Rotary’s service projects, including scholarships to high school students, and the upcoming Rotary Auction.

Tour de Parks riders enjoy cherry tomatoes and granola from Brun Ko Farm while learning about Grow Another Row and edible landscaping projects at Mollett Park

4. Mollett Park offered a chance to learn about local food efforts. Ciara Hoegh showed riders the Grow Another Row stand at the park, where anyone can share and take fresh produce during the growing season, and pointed out new raspberry plants at the park that are part of a multi-year grant to develop edible landscapes. Emily Paulsen of Brun Ko Farm handed out mid-ride snacks of fresh cherry tomatoes and homemade granola.
5. At Harl Holt Park and Bull Creek Pathway, Otte discussed improvements that have been made to the park and pathway over the past two years costing in excess of $300,000, and the further work on Bull Creek that needs to be done that will cost at least that much or more.
6. When the riders passed the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Board Member Christina Bateman gave an update on adult and children’s recreation programs offered by the Y, and the Y’s continuing work to offer childcare and wellness programs to both adults and kids.
7. The ride ended at the Atlantic City Park, where Sarah Selders sang, Cass County Conservation and Healthy Cass County shared information on a multitude of health and wellness programs, and the Atlantic Kiwanis provided riders with a free meal and an update on their commitment to making safe bike riding accessible to all children.

The Atlantic Kiwanis are known for provide free helmets to third graders, but Steve Green shared about an exciting new development with the club. Thanks to donations of bikes, and partnership from Bike Farm, Dvorak Tire, and the Atlantic Police Department, the Atlantic Kiwanis are hoping to be able to give away bicycles in addition to helmets.

Nishna Valley Trails is a tax-exempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling. People who support these causes are welcome to join the group. For more information on Nishna Valley Trails or to join the organization, contact President Dave Chase at barbdavechase@gmail.com or 712-249-3059.