NATURE TRAIL FOR HANDICAPPED SHOULD BE FINISHED BY THE FALL

By fall's first colors, county officials promise that a paved trail designed especially for those with disabilities will wind through a quarter mile of pure, unfiltered nature.

The trail being constructed at Cape Girardeau County Park South is nearly half complete, said County Commissioner Max Stovall, who is in charge of parks development.

"The ground is just laying here," Stovall said. "All Cape Girardeau County citizens deserve to have a nature trail to use if they want one, especially those with handicaps."

Construction began late last year and is expected to be completed by early fall, said Bruce Watkins, Cape Girardeau County Parks superintendent. The initial dirtwork for the trail has been done, he said, and paving of the trail will begin after bids are sought and awarded.

"It's always been a desire of mine to have a trail for the handicapped," said Watkins, who with Stovall was instrumental in getting the project started. "There are a lot of trails around but none for the handicapped."

Though recent heavy rains have given county workers trouble, a parking lot is also being constructed behind shelter 22, which is near where the trail will begin. This will allow visitors close access to the trail.

Unlike the existing paved nature trail in the park's northern side, the new trail will be continuously level with no bumpy bridges, hills or steps, Stovall said. It should be easy and comfortable to use for those with disabilities, he said. But the trail is available for all to use.

Presiding County Commissioner Gerald Jones said that the trails in the north park are steep. "Anybody with a disability can't walk up and down those hills," Jones said. "People in wheelchairs, there's no way. The south park is exactly right. It's flat. It'll work out wonderful."

The trail will wind into the woods past two streams and several varieties of trees and other greenery. It will be connected by an arched bridge to another unpaved, non-handicapped accessible trail, Watkins said. Signs will mark which trail is especially for the handicapped, he said.

"It's real pretty out here," Stovall said as he walked along the trail Tuesday. "It's a nice area."

The trail will also have rest areas and picnic tables along the trail so trailblazers can stop and rest, he said.

Cost of the trail is estimated at $6,000. "Not a bad price," Stovall said.

He said the golf-cart like path is being built using county labor and trucks.

Stovall said that the path is something to be proud of and that he hopes many county people will take advantage of the trail.