News : Iowa Chapter of American Public Works Assn Recognizes Vinton for Nathan's Miles

Nathan's Smiles Glow Trail brings awards and recognition to Vinton

At Thursday night's City Council meeting, Matt Boggess was on hand to accept a plaque in recognition of the Nathan's Miles glow-in-the-dark trail project's unique design.

The trail won "Project of the Year Award in Transportation in the $500,000 to $1 Million" category for both Vinton and Baker Enterprises for their construction of the trail. The plaques were presented by Eric Cowles on the behalf of the Iowa Chapter of Public Works. The trail was recognized as the Project of the Year for 2022 and will now be entered into the national competition.

Baker Enterprises Inc. constructed the longest glow-in-the-dark concrete trail in the country at two miles in length. Baker said that it was the first time they had poured sidewalks that were six feet wide. The company had to get a sidewalk mold specifically for this project. It took the company only about four weeks to complete the project.

The trail was paved like any other project and then top-dressed the pathway with special glow-in-the-dark stones provided by the city of Vinton. The trail was then sprayed with a curing compound and covered with plastic to sit overnight. The trail was then power washed in the morning to remove the cure to expose the aggregate sidewalk with the glow-in-the-dark stones.

The project also earned Baker Enterprises the Iowa Ready Mix Concrete Association's 2021 Excellence in Concrete Award for Innovative Concrete. Manatt's, the concrete supplier for the project, nominated Baker for that award.