Missouri Rock Island Rail to Trail Informational Meetings Jan 21, Feb 11 & 25 in Owensville, Freeburg, & Eldon | Leader Journal
Representative Tom Hurst and Senator Mike Kehoe, who represent a large portion of the area around the Rock Island Trail corridor in central Missouri, have announced three "Informational Meetings" about the upcoming Rock Island Trail.
It is very important that trail supporters attend these meetings, so that local elected officials and Missouri State Parks staff know who much strong local support there is for the trail.
Meeting schedule:
- Owensville - Thurs Jan 21, 2016, 6:30PM
Owensville VFW Post 6133
- Freeburg - Thurs Feb 11, 2016, 6:30PM
Freeburg American Legion Post 317 Hall, Freeburg, MO
- Eldon - Thurs Feb 25, 2016, 6:30PM (NEW/UPDATED TIME & PLACE)
Eldon High School Commons, 101 South Pine Street, Eldon, MO 65026
About the upcoming Rock Island Trail meetings
Rep. Hurst announced the purpose of the meetings:
The meetings will be to discuss questions concerning the possible trail through the Rock Island corridor and implications and actions for adjoining landowners—fencing, crossings, hunting seasons, etc. Attendees will be Senator Kehoe, Bill Bryan and staff with DNR, me, and anyone else who would like to attend to either ask or answer questions. Afterwards, I will stay around for open questions on any subject.
We need to have plenty of trail supporters at these meetings so that local elected officials and Missouri State Parks staff know there is strong support for the trail. Please spread the word and plan to attend if you can.
If you cannot attend a meeting in person, it would be helpful to send a brief message about your support for the trail to Rep. Tom Hurst: Tom.Hurst@house.mo.gov - full contact info here: http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx?district=062
The news release calls the trail a "possible trail." Until the trail is built and in use, it is of course a 'possible trail.' And Rep. Hurst wants everyone to understand that this is a meeting to share information only; the Missouri Legislature has not direct say in the corridor turnover from Ameren to Missouri State Parks.
But--just to calibrate everyone's expectations--at this point, with an agreement between Ameren and Missouri State Parks in place and preliminary approval for the railbanking of the trail corridor in place with the federal Surface Transportation Board, the Rock Island has gone beyond possible--work to create the trail is underway and proceeding full speed ahead.
Trail supporters, opponents, the general public, and elected officials need to be moving forward with that accurate understanding of the situation in mind.
The Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc (MoRIT) is planning to be at attendance at all of the meetings.
More about the Rock Island Trail--and how trails benefit their communities
More about the Rock Island Trail--including history, maps, current status, and more--is on our Rock Island Trail page.
These articles may give you ideas about the positive value of trails like the Rock Island to trail communities:
https://www.railstotrails.org/experience-trails/benefits-of-trails/
http://www.carthagepress.com/article/20140814/NEWS/140819482/1995/NEWS
Working to create a world-class trail system across Missouri--including completion of the Rock Island Trail and improvements to the Katy Trail--is among the top goals of our Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri.
Your ongoing membership and generous financial support help turn our Vision into reality!
Image credits:
- Missouri statewide trail system - Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation
- Rock Island corridor - Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc.
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