Moline finishes work at Prospect Park

Five years and $1.2 million later, Moline has put the finishing touches on improvements to Prospect Park, the hilly, heavily wooded and much-loved area of the city that’s been a park for more than 100 years.

Moline Mayor Don Welvaert and officials presided Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Trinity Trails at Prospect Park. The new two-mile trails are a series of paved walking paths designed for different fitness levels.

“A number of years ago, when we began this project, Trinity was instrumental in helping us,” Welvaert said. The trails — designed as easy, medium and difficult — recently were paved to cap off the park’s improvements, which date to 2006. The city has also improved the pond, pavilion and auditorium besides adding a popular disc golf course and special signage.

The walking trials were designed by Dan Saskowski, Trinity Regional Health System’s manager of cardiac rehabilitation. He used a consultant to help with topography that includes hills and ravines in the 25-acre park. The paths wind up, down and around the hills.