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Reply to Rock Island Line Corridor
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Pseudio on 9/17/2014 11:10:23 AM:
I can see the benefit for the Pleasant Hill to Windsor leg (for the KT) for the KC people but why have a parallel trail to the KT from Windsor to Gerald? Where would the funding and then trail maintenance come from? DNR has funding challenges now.

 
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 9/17/2014 7:14:08 PM:
The short answer is: Everyone loves a loop! Psychologically, we are programmed to seek new areas and we are actually disappointed if we have to backtrack. That is why even small trails near elderly care facilities are looped - they get much more use than one-way trails. Mall walkers walk in a loop, not up and down one hallway.

The Katy is a great trail, but the logistics of getting to your drop point or pick-up point are difficult. Yet most people do that, rather than backtracking. I would rather extend my Katy ride by 2 days to loop the Rock Island segment (130 miles?), than to backtrack on the Katy. The Katy is a big tourist draw already; think what the Rock Island loop can do for all those impoverished towns along its line.

 
ArkyKenny on 9/17/2014 8:28:59 PM:
BikerBoy: A+ answer.
Everyone else: What he said!

 
Pseudio on 9/18/2014 11:37:10 AM:
Would you "loopers" pay to use either trail if resources are inadequate? Not just taxes.

 
MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 9/18/2014 7:50:38 PM:
Yes, I would pay a nominal fee. I'm in South Dakota right now on the George Mickelson Trail. There is a daily $3 fee or a $15 annual fee. Many rail trails have nominal fees.

 
Cathy from Jefferson City on 9/19/2014 10:31:13 PM:
Oh quit with the "Would you pay" bull! I'm from Missouri and you have to show me where this state, rich in so many ways, cannot afford to support these fantastic trails that bring thousands upon thousands of visitors to our state who spend a lot of money here, Look at the posts on this forum and how so many people are from out of state. And those of us from Missouri are staying here and spending our money here at businesses along the trail. I've met people from all over the world on the Katy Trail.

Absolutely build another biking trail in Missouri!

I had a great time on the trail today, hope to get back out Sunday.

 
Anonymous on 9/20/2014 5:23:48 AM:
Some day we'll actually figure out that these trails MAKE money for a state and the communities along the way and are actually a good investment and not an economic drain.

The American mindset is so short-term and ego-eccentric that many of us have a hard time seeing past next week and struggle with the concept of the "common good".

Build it - PLEASE!

 
Ray (webmaster) on 9/20/2014 8:20:08 AM:
An interesting fact to follow up on what Cathy said about out-of-state visitors: of all the Katy Trail merchandise we sell here on the website - maps, shirts, etc - about 2/3 of the customers are from out of state.

 
Pseudio on 9/20/2014 10:45:08 AM:
The KT economic report done a few years ago identified 93 % MO residents and 6 % out of state. I will send Ray the report so he can possibly open some eyes. Also I ride other trails and paying as MidSouth says is pretty typical.

 
Savage24 from KC on 9/26/2014 11:35:24 AM:
Pseudio, I had the same thought when I first heard of the proposed Rock Island Trail. Your post has several passionate responses, but no answers to the question: Where will the funding to build and maintain this trail come from?

 
Trek on 9/26/2014 12:07:56 PM:
From MO Bike Fed 8/6/14:

Yesterday Keith Laughlin, President of the the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, posted about the effort to save the corridor for trail use, their (amazingly effective!) role in putting the bid together, what might happen next, and how you can help:

I will admit some trepidation when I signed an eight-figure offer to purchase a piece of real estate...

 
Anonymous on 9/27/2014 12:58:26 AM:
I think a lot of money to convert the right of way to a trail would come from scrapping the steel.

I'd paid to ride the trail.

I don't think a lot of people know what type of scenery the old Rock Island line traverses across the middle of Missouri. Unlike the Katy trail, which for the most part follows the Missouri River valley. The R.I. line west of Belle, Mo is pretty much a roller coaster all the way to Eldon, Mo. Crossing two large bridges over the Gasconade & Osage Rivers and running through three tunnels.

This line has to potential to be one of the best trails in Missouri. Right up there with the mighty Katy Trail.

 
Kim from Windsor on 5/24/2015 10:38:45 PM:
Came across your comments and if you haven't been following you'll be interested to know the Rock Island from Pleasant Hill to Windsor is being actively worked on now. It is being grated close to Windsor and even rock base being put down

 
Pseudio on 5/25/2015 11:52:36 AM:
Let me be clear up front. I'm an avid road and trail rider. I'm making these challenge comments because these are the other sides comments. I would pay for trail use and have paid in many states. If you read the trail advocate websites, you will see they are constantly fighting in many cases uphill battles for basic funding especially in rural areas unless they have political and financial backing by elected officials and private donors. Donating money and time is well worth the fight for the Rock Island Line. Rock on Rock Island !!

 
ArkyKenny on 5/25/2015 12:24:08 PM:
I believe a conservative estimate is that opening a connecter trail to Katy from metro KC will double traffic on the western side of the trail. I'm very excited about what the connector will do!

What's next? Pub crawls, poker runs, KC/StL rivalry rides, Royals vs. Cardinals rides, Jayhawks vs. Tiger rides, Meet me in Jeff City rides, KC to StL races,etc. Let the games begin!

 
Rocheport Guy from Rocheport, MO on 5/25/2015 4:33:16 PM:
I don't think this is a zero sum game--making the RI Line Trail won't hurt the Katy Trail. This will probably increase overall interest in riding and riding the trails. How to pay for it? Missouri's DNR is presently financed by a 0.125% sales tax on all elgible purchases within the State. Sales tax financing works poorly when the economy has tanked(since 2008)but is picking up at the speed of economic recovery. I don't think there is a big pot of money anywhere to take care of initial expenses but the sales tax would probably take care of annual expenses. It would be very helpful if someone like the wonderful Ted and Pat Jones (Edward D. Jones) would step up provide the intial financing. Volunteers?