Jackson officials plan to apply for recreational trail grant

The City of Jackson plans to apply for a grant that would provide most of the funding for the construction of a recreational trail that would connect a city park with a major thoroughfare.

At a cost of about $170,000, the first phase of the proposed Hubble Creek Recreational Trail would begin at West Mary Street in City Park and end at West Jackson Boulevard. The .6 mile-section would be part of a larger 5-mile trail that eventually would begin at the Soccer Park and end just north of the intersection of Harmony Lane and High Street.

However, public works director Rodney Bollinger said the trail along Hubble Creek could eventually extend even further. Potential expansions include northward to U.S. 61 in Fruitland and southward to the Gordonville area.

"This first phase is a very important piece of the puzzle," Bollinger said. "Once all of the phases of the Hubble Creek Recreation Trail are complete, it is uncertain at this point in time where the ends of that trail might lead. ... The opportunities for trail spurs are endless."

The board of aldermen will consider passing a resolution during its April 5 meeting. If the resolution passes, Bollinger will then write the grant in which the city would pay 20 percent of the costs and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources would provide 80 percent of the costs.

Once written, the grant must be postmarked by May 17. If approved, construction would begin by the late summer and could open by the winter. The paved trail would include a bridge crossing at West Washington Street and pass near several uptown businesses and Jackson High School.

Bollinger said the trail is part of an effort to connect the city's parks and schools. The idea of building a series of recreational trails began in 2004, when trails near Orchard Elementary and Jackson Middle School off Independence Street were constructed.

"School kids were walking on Route D to the park but didn't have sidewalks to travel on," Bollinger said. "City leaders got together, the idea gained a lot of interest and snowballed."

Since then, the city completed a trail along West Jackson Boulevard from East Lane to South Union Avenue in 2007 and the Oak Street Trail from Westlane Elementary School to City Park in 2009. This year the city plans to build a new 1,600-foot trail that will run between West Jackson Boulevard and Orchard Drive that will play an important role in connecting R.O. Hawkins Junior High School with Orchard Elementary School.

Bollinger said the addition of city trails was one feature residents wanted for inclusion in the comprehensive plan that is intended to serve as a policy guide for Jackson through 2019. He said the trail system further adds to the recreational options for city's residents.

"It's something that's a continuing trend, especially here in Jackson," Bollinger said. "And it's something we'll continue to strive to build as we do what we can to improve our resident's quality of life."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO