People across Missouri are digging deep to support the effort to develop the Missouri Rock Island Trail.
According to Mike Sutherland, Deputy Director of Missouri State Parks Trails Advisory Board, Missouri State Parks (run by Missouri's Department of Natural Resources) has not yet accepted the project. Ameren Missouri, the owner of the old rail line, has torn out rails and ties along the corridor and is prepared to gift the property to Missouri State Parks for development of the trail.
The board of Missouri Rock Island Trail Inc. has announced that more than $600,000 has been pledged to the project by organizations, municipalities and individuals. “People are recognizing the huge economic boon the trail would be for communities along the corridor and the state as a whole,” MoRIT executive director Greg Harris said.
Approximately 145 miles of former rail lines are being transformed into the Rock Island Trai…
The planned trail would run along 144 miles of the Missouri Rock Island railroad right of way from Windsor near Kansas City to the St. Louis area. An additional 47 miles of the right of way between Pleasant Hill and Windsor have already been completed. The Katy Trail links with the Rock Island at Windsor.
When completed, the Rock Island/Katy Trail route would be the longest recreational trail in the United States. View more photos of the trail's progress on Facebook.
