The 5-mile Wilson's Creek Greenway is the newest extension of a growing urban trail network in Springfield, Missouri, being developed by citizen organization, Ozark Greenways. This beautiful paved trail allows people of all ages and abilities to conveniently access the woods and pastureland of the Ozarks, for active transportation, bicycling, walking, running, skating and wheelchair use.
We're winding down our 25th year as a non-profit citizens organization. It's been inspiring to reflect on what we've accomplished since 1991! We continue to work toward our goal to build a comprehensive network of urban trails to connect more people and places. We reached a milestone in 2016 - with 70 miles of greenway trails to date!
On National Trails Day in June, we opened a new portion of Wilson's Creek Greenway - creating one of the most valuable connections in our city so far - linking to the popular 8-mile South Creek Greenway (National Recreation Trail, 2009). We hope to extend Wilson's Creek Greenway north to downtown and Jordan Creek Greenway, and eventually south to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (large preserved site of one of the most significant Civil War battles). These connections are forming the backbone of a wider network, accessible to all. The natural Wilson's Creek is a community feature once again, as a beautiful stream, filtering our water and air, and sustaining life. We're happy our community leaders are beginning to understand the importance of extending our trail network in a way that stimulates our economy with huge pay-back in quality of life benefits. There is much more to do, and this designation would help tremendously in keeping up the momentum in the minds of local residents and leaders - hopefully leading to funding and planning of more trails.
The new connection of Wilson's Creek Greenway brings us to a tipping point with trail connectivity in Springfield and Greene County. Along the route there are schools, universities, parks, churches, restaurants, entertainment venues, coffee shops, breweries, theaters, cultural centers, museums, shopping areas and much more. There are several outstanding destinations along the trail, including a creek-themed mosaic embedded in the trail by local artist, Christine Schilling; connection to naturalized South Creek and its monarch butterfly habitat; Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park; Springfield Botanical Center; Nathanael-Greene Park; Close Memorial Park/Drummond Lake; Mizumoto Japanese Garden; Gray-Campbell Pioneer Farmstead; Horton Smith Golf Course; Golden Avenue Prairie; Missouri State University Darr Agriculture Center and horse arena. It also connects to our community's bus and on-street bike route networks.
A long list of community benefits have followed as the trails have developed. There's the usual fun and fitness, but now we're seeing benefits of more people choosing to bike to work and walk to school. The trail is an example of how community design has the power to improve people's lives. This trail's usership has exploded already just since June. Many new trail users have come out, gaining a sense of ownership of "their" trail.
The trail is a vital connection between neighborhoods, schools, businesses and shopping areas - in one of the most rapidly growing parts of the country. It's close to home for residents, and attractive to visitors. It connects the west part of our city that includes a low income population. We're pleased to be a resource for all demographics. The trail plays a role in important social interaction, in community pride and in boosting mental health. People are getting out of their cars and meeting face to face. Many have not used trails before now, and they're embracing an appreciation for the Ozarks natural environment and for each other.
One of the most unique components of this trail is the long list of diverse partners! Ozark Greenways is fortunate that the trail appeals to everyone - all ages, abilities, income levels, backgrounds and political tastes. We've been thrilled to work with the following businesses, public agencies, individuals, groups and families to create Wilson's Creek Greenway. Funding is very hard to come by for trail building currently, even with the strong demand for them, so with the help of these supporters, we saved tens of thousands of dollars building Wilson's Creek Greenway. A National Recreation Trail designation would further help our efforts with fundraising.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources - This trail is an RTP project!
Springfield-Greene County Park Board - Manages the trails as an integrated part of their city-county park system
Springfield Public Works' Environmental Services - Transported gravel for consruction
Ozark Greenways - In-kind staff time for project management, fundraising, promotion, signage, public education
Greene County Highway Department - Built the trail
O'Reilly and Wooten Families (Owners of O'Reilly Auto Parts) - Donated $100,000, to build Tal's Trailhead in memory of their beloved family member and trail supporter, Tal Wooten
Conco Companies - Donated 1,000 tons of gravel for construction
Christine Schilling - Local mosaic artist gave us a large discount
Missouri Division of Youth Services - Troubled youth framed the concrete gazebo pad and assembled gazebo
Advanced Concrete Technologies - Poured and finished concrete gazebo pad at Tal's Trailhead
Greater Springfield Board of Realtors - Provided donation for 2 interpretive kiosks and 3 benches
James River Basin Partnership - Provided 2 public education water quality kiosks
