Columbia MO planning 30 mile trail loop around city

Children on a Columbia trail

The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of developing a plan to create a 30-mile trail loop around the city.

Park Development Superintendent Mike Snyder said the department held more 50 public meetings to collect input about the loop and the master plan for parks and trails. Snyder said the loop would not be completed for at least 10 years.

Columbia resident Josh Payton said he thinks the 30-mile loop would be a great addition to the city.

"It'd be great for people who want to ride bikes or run around the city without using the busy streets. A lot of people here are active and run marathons. It'd be good for marathon runners or people training who want to have that long distance to practice," Payton said.

Parks Department research indicates that 70 percent of residents use the city's trails system.

You can view and leave comments on this proposed update to the city's trails plan here.