Rail-trail conversions could create extensive new trails in southwestern Missouri
The Healthy Nevada project--which is working to improve walkability and bikability in the city of Nevada--is also exploring ways to connect Nevada with surrounding communities. Advocates are working with MoDOT to link Nevada with El Dorado Springs via a bike lane on Highway 54 and also exploring the possibility of converting abandoned and lightly used rail lines in the area.
The Joplin Globe recently wrote about the effort and some of the possibilities:
Missouri was just named the “Best Trails State” in the nation by American Trails, a national not-for-profit group that advocates building trails for hiking, biking and riding.
Tugged by the same restless spirit that kept Missourians moving 200 years ago, these trail advocates haven’t reached their destination yet. They are pushing forward with plans for more, longer trails statewide and dream of one day connecting Southwest Missouri to perhaps the state’s most famous modern trail, the Katy.
A key means of getting to their goal is converting abandoned or unused rail lines into trails, an effort known as rails-to-trails. A similar effort on a smaller scale 20 years ago led to the creation of the popular Frisco Greenway Trail in Joplin, which can draw hundreds of runners, walkers and cyclists a day when the weather is good. . . .Railways that have been converted into trails for running, biking and even horseback riding are nothing new in Southwest Missouri.
Jasper County has the 3.5-mile long Frisco Greenway Trail from Joplin to Webb City, and the 16-mile Ruby Jack Trail.
The eastern eight miles of the Ruby Jack, from Carthage through Oronogo, are completely walkable and accessible by bike, while the western eight miles are rough and need improvement but are open to public use, according to Joplin Trails Coalition spokesman Paul Teverow. . . .Springfield-area residents have developed a 36-mile trail from Springfield to Bolivar along an abandoned railroad that President Harry Truman once used on his whistle-stop tours. It’s called the Frisco Highline Trail.
- 2013
- about
- adventure cycling
- Bike
- biking
- city
- form
- frisco highline trail
- greenway
- healthy nevada
- hiking
- joplin
- kansas
- katy trail
- katy-trail
- maps
- missouri
- missouri bicycle federation
- mobikefed
- modot
- plan
- quad state
- quad state trail
- riding
- ruby jack trail
- running
- springfield
- success
- trail
- trails
- used
- walkability
Join MoBikeFed's Advocacy Network
Working together we make a real difference! Join our advocacy network:
Related pages
Current topics...
Archives...
Want better bicycling and walking in Missouri?
We rely on the support of members like you. Please join, renew, or donate today.
- Home
- JOIN/DONATE
- News/Info
- Missouri Bicycling, Running, Trails
- Bicycle Skills and Safety
- Missouri Bike/Ped Law
- Clubs and Organizations
- Bike Shops
- Running Shops
- Bicycling, Running, Trails-related Businesses
- Ride, Run, Walk, Hike, Triathlon, and Events Calendars
- Bicycles on Amtrak
- Maps and Routes
- Trails and Trail Maps
- IBikeMO.org
- Planning a Missouri bicycle trip
- Gravel and Bikepacking Maps & Routes
- Bicycle & Touring Routes
- Advocacy
- Campaigns
- Our Legislative Platform
- Complete Streets
- Statewide Rock Island Trail
- Statewide Trail Vision - Quad State Trail
- Bicycle Friendly Missouri
- Walk Friendly Missouri
- Safe Routes to School
- MoDOT funding crisis
- High Priority Bike/Ped Project List
- Anti-harassment laws in cities & statewide
- Updating the basic bicycle law
- Our Vision for MoDOT
- Our Vision for MPOs/RPCs
- Our Vision for Cities & Counties
- Bicycle, pedestrian, trails plans across MO
- Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
- Vision Zero
- Missouri Trail Towns
- Store
- About