MKT Trailhead Project

Project sponsor: City of Columbia; MKT Trailhead Committee, Columbia Public Works Department, Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, Missouri

Award Category: Construction and Design (Trail-Related Facilities)

2005 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration

Congressional District: Hulshof (R-9)
Senators: Bond (R) and Talent (R)

With a $40,000 RTP grant as initiative, Flat Branch Park was transformed from a polluted site to a beautiful trailhead park for the 8.9 mile city/county MKT Trail. Amenities provided by in-house staff include bicycle racks, benches, tables and seating, gazebo, lighting, drinking fountain, sidewalks, landscaping, and historical plaques.

The MKT Trailhead Committee, working with Public Works, and Parks and Recreation Departments, played an extraordinary role in fund raising of grants and private donations.

The old industrial site was razed, contaminated soil removed, topsoil added, creek debris removed, and streambed restored with native limestone, and native plantings. The park provides green space for downtown Columbia and serves as a gathering place for special family events, outdoor movies, lunch concerts, a community "circus," and the annual Mayor's Challenge: Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week.

With access to the State managed 225-mile Katy Trail, Flat Branch Park serves the City of Columbia and Boone County, and has regional and State impacts, users being able to access local services.

Contact: Mike Hood, City of Columbia, P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205-6015; (573) 874-7463

For more great trails, see:

• Missouri's National Recreation Trails

• The Missouri Trails page and nationwide index of state-by-state trail links

See previous Recreational Trails Program Award Winners:

• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000

AWARDS and recognition programs:

Awards index
National Trails Awards
CRT-RTP Awards
Website Contest
National Recreation Trails
NRT Photo Contest
Our Awards
Opportunities

Related topics:

Arts and trails
Benefits
Health & trails
Trail building
Volunteers

More resources:

Bibliography
Quotations
Glossary
Acronyms
Tools
Products & services

Do you need training?
Do you have training opportunities you'd like to publicize?
Are you a trails expert who can teach trail skills to others?
The National Trails Training Partnership wants to work with you to make training more available.