City of Chatfield joins Root River Trail Towns

News from Southeastern Minnesota Bluff Country

Community representatives of Root River Trail Towns voted unanimously on Wednesday, Feb. 17, to accept Chatfield into the Root River Trail Towns organization. Established in 1988, Root River Trail Towns was created as a non-profit group to market the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley state bike trails.

Read about a bike trip on the Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley Trail

Participating communities include Fountain, Preston, Harmony, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford Village, Rushford and Houston. When Chatfield representatives asked to join Trail Towns, they pointed out additional trail connections beyond the bike trail, including the Root River water trail, hiking trails and other recreational trails.

Sara Sturgis, interim coordinator of the Chatfield Alliance, noted, “There are many outdoor resources those of us living in Chatfield love and we think people visiting the area will, too. We are appreciative and excited for the greater awareness that membership in Root River Trail Towns will bring to them and our entire community.”

Trail Towns President Gabby Kinneberg noted this is a positive step for the organization. “Having Chatfield join the Root River Trail Towns organization is going to be a positive addition for our area. Our mission is to promote the recreational trail systems of Southeast Minnesota’s Driftless area as a regional destination, and to link people to an outdoor experience while fostering community connections,” she said. “Chatfield has a lot to offer to the outdoor recreation experience including a hiking trail, OHV trail and water access along the Root River. We’re excited for this new partnership and look forward to working with their organization and business community!”

Each year, Trail Towns hosts a 60-mile garage sale in the early summer and Taste of the Trail events on Saturdays in September. Chatfield will be just one more community to visit during these events, enhancing the already popular festivities.