Legion Field trail paving project nears completion

By the end of this month, pedestrians in Jackson should have a smoother hike along the Legion Field levee.

Parks and recreation director Shane Anderson said workers are "about 50 percent done" paving a 200-yard section of the trail connecting Washington and Mary streets.

"I believe we've had it graveled for a year, and always in our master plan, it was planned to be a paved trail," Anderson said Thursday.

He estimated 50 to 100 people use the trail on an average day.

"I think people use it as convenience," Anderson said. "They walked across it when it was a grass levee."

The trail is popular with members of nearby HealthPoint Fitness, who use it to access the park, Anderson said.

He said he does not anticipate an increase in the number of people using the trail once it is paved, but he expects users will appreciate the upgrade, just as they did when the department used gravel to improve it.

"Appreciation increased a lot more than just the actual participation of use," Anderson said.

Jackson's comprehensive plan calls for improvements to several trails, Anderson said.

He said a long-term goal is to connect all five of Jackson's parks -- Brookside Park, City Park, Football Park, Litz Park and Soccer Park.

Anderson said he did not have a cost estimate for the current project, most of which is being done in-house.

The city bought concrete, but the street department is taking the lead on the actual labor, with assistance from Parks and Recreation, he said.

"They have the knowledge of pouring and forming," he said.

The trail should be finished and reopened by the end of August, Anderson said. In the meantime, users can walk around areas that are under construction.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Legion Field, Jackson, MO