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Brunings Donate Bridge on Klinefelter Farm
published June 24, 2016Brunings Donate Bridge on Klinefelter Farm
As part of the trail system being created at Highland Community College’s Klinefelter Farm, two bridges were needed for access across two creeks on the property. Through the generosity of two couples, those bridges are now a reality as the trail system is near completion. The College and the Highland Community College Foundation would like to thank Jere and Patty Bruning of Hiawatha for their generosity in donating a substantial steel bridge to the Klinefelter Farm Trail system.
The bridge donated by the Brunings was constructed by MWI in Hiawatha, is 64 feet long and eight feet wide, and has handrails and three inch thick bridge planks on the deck. It spans Norton Creek on the west side of the Klinefelter Farm and is one of the final links to connect parts of the trail system. It is situated on an S bend in Norton Creek with bottom ground on the north side and a high bluff overlooking the creek on the south. This area of the creek is a beautiful spot with rock and sand creek bottom and thick woods around it. On the west side of the creek is a newly completed campground for use by approved group camping. The Norton Bend Campground was an Eagle Scout Project designed by Nathan King of Troy. Often in winter, bald eagles are seen perching along this stretch of Norton Creek, and so the bridge is named “The Eagle Bridge.”
The Brunings are known for their philanthropic support for many community projects in the Hiawatha area. Recently, Jere and Patty were accompanied by two of their daughters, Lu Ann and Jane, to visit the newly completed bridge project. Their other two daughters, Sarah and Mary, were unable to attend the bridge viewing.
“The Eagle Bridge” is the last of two steel bridges made by MWI for the Klinefelter Trail system. Last year, a 54 foot bridge was donated to the Klinefelter Farm by Dave and Mary Neilson of Murray, NE. That bridge is called “The Kissing Bridge” and spans Klinefelter Creek to the east of the Klinefelter Barn Conference Center. Most recently, a 90 foot “catwalk” which came from the Robinson elevator was donated to the Klinefelter Farm by Ag Partners and delivered by Dale Elliott and crew of Jade Millwrights. That four foot wide by seven foot high caged structure is currently being modified to accept wooden planks for decking and when finished will be installed over Norton Creek near 230th St.
The Klinefelter Farm Trails cover over five miles throughout the farm and are free and open to the public during daylight hours. The trails average 10 feet wide and are turf grass surface. They are for foot traffic and bicycle use only -- no motorized vehicles are allowed. For more information or trail maps, call Lindsey Koch at 785-336-1274.
