Jackson trail system continues to expand

A safe walk home from school, a stroll in the park or a place to ride a bicycle out of traffic are some of the advantages Jackson's growing recreation trail network is providing.

The trail system will continue to grow this summer as construction gets underway on a trail running most of the length of Oak Street. Rodney Bollinger, director of public works, expects to hear soon on two grant applications for trails along East Lane and Hubble Creek.

By taking advantage of state grant programs, Bollinger said, the city is building trails much faster than it could otherwise afford. Some of Jackson's political leaders said that without the grants, which cover between 70 percent and 100 percent of the cost, the trails wouldn't be possible at all.

Although in some locations the trails may look like sidewalks, they are wider than traditional sidewalks to provide space for both walkers and bicyclists.

"The trails promote a healthy lifestyle and separate people from traffic," Bollinger said. "And after years of neglect, we are bringing back sidewalks."

One of the major spurs to the trail development has been an effort to connect schools and parks. The trail along Independence Street, or Route D, connects Jackson Middle School with City Park. Another trail, south along Broadridge, turns east on Orchard Drive to reach Orchard Drive Elementary School.

The Independence Street trail is a 6-foot-wide concrete path. The proposed Hubble Creek trail, which when completed will run from the soccer park in the south part of Jackson to the Industrial Park on Highway 61 North, will be an 8-foot-wide concrete trail running along the high bank of the creek, Bollinger said.

The city chose concrete trails rather than crushed limestone, which is used for trails such as the Katy Trail through central Missouri, or asphalt because of its durability over time, Bollinger said. "This community has always been a real strong friend of concrete."

As part of the Highway 34/72 improvements, the Missouri Department of Transportation is putting a trail along Jackson Boulevard that runs past Jackson High School.

Mayor Barbara Lohr, who watched the trail system grow during her five years on the board of aldermen before winning election as mayor, said she walks 2 miles every day and often uses the Independence Street trail.

"I haven't had a lot of negative feedback, and I've heard from a few folks who will say that when they drive by they are surprised there is that much traffic on the trails," Lohr said. "A lot of people felt like they would not be used. But they were not used before because there was nothing there."

Not including the costs of the trail along Highway 34/72, Jackson has received more than $700,000 in grants to build its trails. Most of the money is federal funds dedicated to alternative transportation.

Jackson's trail system began as an idea to use existing easements for utilities such as sewers, especially along creeks, and has expanded because of popularity, said Jim Roach, city administrator.

"It kind of started that way, then evolved from there with the grant money available," Roach said. "We did one or two, they were very popular and the board seemed to get more enthused about it."

The trails are the most-used feature of Jackson's recreation system, drawing everyone from children to families to retirees, Roach said.

Alderman Dale Rauh, who represents eastern Jackson, said some of his constituents are reacting to the network under development with questions about when trails will be built into their neighborhoods. He said he's told them to be patient. Although there are no trails planned that lead east from Hubble Creek, Rauh said he's confident the city will extend the system

"Once we are done, we will have a very comprehensive network of trails," Rauh said.

But the political leaders and city administrators agree that if the grants stop, most trail construction would stop as well.

"We have got a lot more important things than the trails, including taking care of our employees and taking care of the overall concept of running this city and taking care of the real needs," Alderman David Reiminger said.

The balance, Reiminger said, is to have enough for essentials before buying amenities.

"It is not to say we don't have the money, but financially we need to keep this city very solvent," he said. "Depleting funds to have a trail is not the concept here."

Lohr agreed, saying the city can't afford the costs of trails without grant help.

"If we had to support the full cost, we have more things that are a higher priority," Lohr said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126