Jackson County to open first phase of Rock Island Rail Corridor trail within next 30 days - KSHB.com 41 Action News

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Jackson County is one step closer to converting an old railroad into a walking and biking trail.

The first phase of the Rock Island Rail Corridor will open within the next 30 days. The second phase should open by the end of 2019. 

Jackson County split the project into two phases of roughly seven miles each.  The first phase runs from about Jefferson Street and 291 Highway in Lee’s Summit to Brickyard Road near Noland Road in Kansas City. Phase two will go from that point to the Truman Sports Complex.

Link: 

Jackson County to open first phase of Rock Island Rail Corridor trail within next 30 days - KSHB.com 41 Action News

MoBikeFed comment: This is the next step in completing the Jackson County portion of the Rock Island Trail, which will eventually connect to the existing 47 miles of the Rock Island between Pleasant Hill and Windsor, Missouri, where the Rock Island connects with the Katy Trail.

More about the various sections of the Rock Island Trail and their current status here:

http://mobikefed.org/content/2015/03/missouris-rock-island-trail

Keep in mind that Missouri State Parks is working right now to consider whether or not to accept the next section of the Rock Island Trail as a state park. This section would extend another 144 miles eastward from Windsor.

State Parks is looking for your comments in support of this new trail. Leave your comments here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RILC_InfoMtgs_Fall2018

Suggested points to make in your comments to State Parks:

* You strongly support the trail and feel State Parks is the best organization to take over and manage the entire corridor for the long term.

* It is imperative that, above all, the entire corridor be preserved intact for the future.

* State Parks should accept and manage it--but should look primarily to outside funding and resources to develop the trail. No one is expecting State Parks to lead the way in covering the expense of trail building, when their budget is already stretched to the limit.

* Given State Parks' budget pressures, State Parks need to be looking at: What is the MINIMUM investment needed from State Parks in order to preserve the corridor now.

State Parks can provide that level of investment; a combination of local, private, and grant funds can fill in the rest over time.

* The trail doesn't need to be built to "Cadillac" levels. It is OK to begin with a basic level of service for the trail and work for higher, more expensive levels if and when funding becomes available.