Perry County is in the process of extending its footprint in the biking world.
Chad Sutterer, with the help of Executive Director of Heritage Tourism Trish Erzfeld, spearheaded the creation of multi-use trail at Legion Lake in Perryville.
This project includes 4.5 miles of multi-use trails, 3/4 mile of flow trails with start hub, 15,000 square foot pump track, and 7,500 square foot skills area to help grow the mountain biking presence in Perryville.
The project has recently started construction by Trelcrue, Inc. and made possible through a grant with the Missouri Recreational Trails Program.
“We are excited about getting to the shovels and moving dirt,” Erzfeld said. “This is about creating another fun place for our community to enjoy.”
Sutterer said that Perryville is a good location for those looking to either start their biking journey or continue to improve their skills.
“What we have planned with the skills area, the flow area and the pump track, there isn’t anything like that in the southeast Missouri Area,” he said. “Anybody from Cape Girardeau and farther south would theoretically come here because we are the closest. Cape Girardeau has some similar jumping things at Crossroads Park and a lot of people come up to go there. However, we should have a much more comprehensive park. This ties right in with what the Tourism department has been working on with getting more of a biking presence here.”
The goal of the park is to introduce the area and surrounding communities to biking through different skills areas that range from beginner to more advanced.
“We hope to have obstacles that start from ‘very new’ and progress harder so that you can develop those skills to move onto the harder trails and obstacles,” Sutterer said. “The pump track is something that kids, all the way up to adults do and they are like magnets for people that do this sort of thing.”
The idea behind the complex is to eventually hold large events and competitions there.
“Building in that way allows almost anyone be able to ride on it,” Sutterer said. “The cross country teams can host races on the trail. Race promoters will have 5K and 10K races there. We want this to be something that almost anyone will enjoy. This just isn’t about biking, but will provide people another place to walk.”
With the creation of the multiuse trail, the overall area surrounding Legion Lake will be improved as well. There will be an additional restroom added, along with the existing restrooms in Perry County’s plans to be improved. There will also be a pavilion added, as well as the three pavilions renovated. There will also be nature areas added to add more tranquil and beauty areas to the lake.
“When all is said and done there will be three brand new restrooms and three brand new pavilions,” Erzfeld said. “There will be new picnic tables and benches added to the perimeter of the lake.”
The project is slated to be finished in the summer 2024.
