Connecting to the Power of Recreation + Sport
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Welcome to the sixth issue of the Rec Report, ISG's hub for sharing success stories, helpful resources, and ways to connect in the recreation industry. Strategic investment in trails, year-round athletic facilities, and informed turf decisions are expanding access to recreation—enhancing community health, connectivity, and quality of life.
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Projects In Your Backyard |
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| Mill Towns State Trail Ready For Use
This Summer
Northfield, MN
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A 3.8-mile multi-use trail connection secured $8.19 million in state funding and is now nearing completion. The trail segment connects downtown Northfield to the historic Waterford Bridge, advancing a long-planned vision of connecting Faribault, Dundas, Northfield, Waterford, Randolph, and Cannon Falls following Minnesota's Cannon River Valley. The connection includes a safe, accessible route featuring a highway underpass, enhanced crossings, and translating complex coordination and sensitive environmental conditions.
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Dakota State University Indoor Practice Facility: A Highlight on
Partner Coordination
Madison, SD
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Dakota State University's multi-sport facility exemplifies the importance of detailed coordination. Designed for 360 days of use each year, the 127,000-square-foot NCAA multi-sport space required precise coordination of building systems, user groups, and adjacent facilities within a constrained site. Strategic planning aligned program, code, and cost, creating daylight-filled public spaces, separating athletic and spectator functions—all without compromising user experience or budget.
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River Point Park Unveiled As A Model For
Riverfront Revitalization
La Crosse, WI
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River Point Park reimagines La Crosse’s riverfront as an immersive, 36-acre ecological and cultural destination. This transformation blends the La Crosse River Marsh ecology with a new accessible trail network, establishment of native prairie plantings, habitat viewing areas, bench seating, and lighting improvements creating a layered experience that connects visitors to the landscape and the site’s cultural history. By integrating recreation, habitat restoration, and interpretive design, the park elevates a former industrial edge into a community asset that supports environmental stewardship.
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Synthetic Turf vs. Natural Grass
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There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between natural grass or synthetic turf. The best solution depends on how often the field is used, maintenance resources, budget, and long-term goals. ISG helps clients evaluate both options through a practical, data-driven lens. Our team of sports and recreation experts analyzes field performance, maintenance requirements, drainage, durability, lifecycle costs, and user experience to identify the solution that best fits your needs. By clearly outlining the benefits and tradeoffs of each system, we help stakeholders make confident decisions that support their facilities today and into the future.
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What project do you have on the horizon? ISG's funding and planning experts can help with the application process. Check out some of the upcoming
application deadlines:
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Industry Events + Happenings |
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Prairie Rock Trails Bike Fest Recap
Mason City, IA
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Sponsored by Trek, Red Bull, and additional stakeholders, the first Prairie Rock Trails Bike Fest brought riders of all ages together for a day of active riding, skill-building, and community connection. From beginner clinics to advanced trail sessions to jump competitions, the event highlighted the park’s range, reinforcing its role as a year-round regional destination for mountain biking.
Tourism is projected to surge with 13,500 new visitors annually and an estimated $2.4 million in tourism revenue. Expanded single-track trails and the bike park are expected to attract 400 riders per week, positioning Prairie Rock Trails as a regional destination comparable to Minnesota’s Cuyuna Lakes Region, which drew 180,000 riders in 2020.
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Architecture + Engineering + Environmental + Planning
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