The Rock Island bike trail is a work in progress, which will continue in phases.

Missouri Governor Parson Announces...

December 14, 2021, at Rock Island City Park in Eldon, Missouri.

Governor Parson announced the new official status of the old Rock Island Railway corridor. The 144-mile strip of land involved in this transaction runs from Windsor, Missouri (just northwest of Eldon) to Beaufort, Missouri (east of Gerald) and is now under the ownership and management of The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri State Parks.

In other words, the land is now officially a state park, "Rock Island State Park."

Noteworthy... this park is the longest of its kind in this country.

This does not mean, however, that the park is ready for hiking or bicycling. It simply means that a deal has been completed between Ameren U.E. and the State of Missouri.

Rock Island State Park is a work in progress, which will continue in phases.

This comes as good news to fervent bicyclist, the tourism industry, and local businesses.

Landowners whose land the corridor crosses may not be as enthusiastic. But that's for another article, and this author will research these potential issues as they arise.

The fact remains, however, that the parks department has a working model (The Katy Trail) from which to demonstrate that Rock Island State Park WILL improve the lives of most Missourians. The Katy Trail brought 500,000 visitors, generating $18.5 million in revenue. $5.1 million of that went to payroll for employees. Net, there was an $8.2 million impact to the Missouri economy.

The Tourism impact on Missouri involves 280,000 employees.
 
As such, this project has received $2.7 million in grants.

See below for contacts and informational meeting times and locations.

We will publish more information as it becomes available.


This page sponsored by Craig Newmann, real estate agent: CraigNewmann.com