Joplin to build several trails throughout city

According to the Joplin Globe:

Joplin residents will have an opportunity Thursday to view plans, offer comments and ask questions about walking and biking trails the city will soon begin building.

An open house where plans will be exhibited and city staff will be available will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in the basement of City Hall, 602 S. Main St. Residents may come and go at anytime during the open house.

More than six miles of trails are to be built in the city at a cost of $1.1 million. Most of the cost — 80 percent — is to be paid with federal matching grant money. The city will pay 20 percent of the cost or about $220,000.

There are several trails proposed.

Joplin is becoming one of the most progressive cities in the state for having the vision to extend its trails plan to all parts of the city.

MoBikeFed suggests that cities across the state adopt the comprehensive approach of the Bicycle Friendly Communities initiative, which integrates trails, on-road bicycle facilities, education, appropriate enforcement, encouragement, promotion of bicycling, and other measures that work together to make a community truly bicycle friendly.