In 1994, the Cedar Valley Lakes Board, a local non-profit group, was working to develop recreational venues around the lakes being created by highway construction excavation. That fall, the Cedar Trails Partnership was formed and quickly applied for nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, which was granted in 1995.

Representatives from the partnership began attending meetings and public hearings of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MPO) in order to stay informed about trail funding opportunities. A membership drive shortly followed, generating more than 200 members, and suddenly the organization had a treasury large enough to start doing things.

The focus of the CTP remained trail advocacy, with a CTP representative gaining an advisory seat on the MPO, its technical committee, and the enhancement committee; and on organizing the annual trails festival.

In 1998, the CTP began to take a more proactive approach to trails issues. The CTP acted as a facilitating agency, drawing together all of the municipalities and agencies with trails oversight to develop a coherent and consistent policy on privately-donated benches and other trail enhancements. Working with law enforcement and governing agencies, the CTP also organized a volunteer Cedar Trail Patrol to provide security and assistance to trail users.

In 2022, the CTP changed its name to Cedar Valley Trails Partnership (CVTP) to better reflect the community that we serve. 

These components of the partnership remain vital today.