Celebrating 20 years of Katy Trail

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon has announced events that will be held in 2010 as Katy Trail State Park, the nation's longest rail-trail in the nation, celebrates its 20th anniversary. More than 20 years ago, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and innovative individuals had a vision to turn a railroad corridor into a hiking and bicycling trail.

The trail is built on the former railroad corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT or Katy) Railroad. After the railroad ceased operation in 1986, the department made use of the National Trail System Act, which allowed railroad corridors no longer in use to be railbanked on an interim basis for recreational trails. Using a donation from Ted and Pat Jones, the department was able to acquire and develop the initial trail from St. Charles to Sedalia. Today, the trail stretches 225 miles from St. Charles to Clinton and serves approximately 300,000 hikers and bicyclists every year.

"This anniversary is truly a milestone, not only for our state, but also the nation. As the longest rail-trail in the nation, Katy Trail attracts bicyclists from all over the United States and the world," said Nixon. "We celebrate not only the trail itself, but the impact and recognition this trail has meant to our state," he said.

The department will mark the 20th anniversary with special events, programs and exhibits throughout the year. The kickoff event is being planned for May 8 at the Katy Trail trailhead in Rocheport, which was the site of the ceremony for the official opening of the first segment of the trail on April 28, 1990. The event will include recognition of key groups and individuals who made the trail possible and a commemorative bike ride.

Other events and programs throughout the year include the 10th annual Katy Trail Ride, which will be held this year June 21-25 from St. Charles to Clinton.

A special ticket book program will encourage people to visit every community along the trail for special prizes and incentives. Special exhibits at key trailheads will give a brief history of the trail. Other events are being planned in cooperation with many of the communities along the trail. Edward Jones, the financial services firm established by Ted and Pat Jones, is the title sponsor of the 20th anniversary events.

Katy Trail State Park was inducted into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2008 by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

It is also a segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the American Discovery Trail and a Millennium Legacy Trail.

The trail passes through many rural scenic areas and much of it follows the Missouri River, giving dramatic views of the river.

The trail also passes through small communities that were established as river towns or because of the railroad. Today, many of these small towns are benefiting from the Katy Trail and the many riders and bicyclists that make use of their businesses.

For more information about Katy Trail State Park, visit www.mo.gov or call the Department of Natural Resources toll-free at 800-334-6946.