A ribbon cutting ceremony planned for 5:30 a.m. tonight, Aug. 8, will mark another milestone in the process of Perry County extending its footprint in the biking world as it serves as the grand opening of a multi-use trail at Legion Park 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.
The project, which started construction in December of last year, was made possible through a grant with the Missouri Recreational Trails Program.
Trish Erzfeld, executive director of Heritage Tourism, couldn't be more thrilled that the moment has arrived for the project’s ribbon cutting.
“It's going to be something that we’ve never had in our area before,” she said. “It’s a multi-use trail — an all-natural trail — geared toward mountain biking. It is also appealing to communities outside of Perry County that love this sport as well.”
According to Erzfeld, the multi-use trail at 1100 Veterans Drive will provide the community with much more than a great spot for mountain biking.
“We also see its uses for other things — 5Ks, cross-country racing just physical training and walking,” she said. “That is why it's a multi-use trail. We feel like the 4 .5 miles that we'll have marked out in our park will give enough room for everyone to be able to enjoy what they want to do.”
Erzfeld explained that Thursday’s ribbon cutting will serve as a soft opening for the trail.
“Now that the trail has been created, we really need to get people using it,” she said. “So, we want walkers, we want runners, we want people on bikes to get out and use the trail. With it being all-natural, if you don't have someone using it, then the weeds and growth and stuff on the forest floor will start taking it over again. That is one of the things about being an all-natural trail. We’re holding the ribbon cutting to get people familiar with the area and get them out on the trail.
“Our county commissioners are going to be there. Of course, tourism is going to be represented there along with some avid mountain bike youth and adults who are anxious to get out on the trail. We want it to be for everyone, so we're hoping that we see everyone there. It'll be a short ceremony. We're just going to say a few words, cut the ribbon with the help of the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce, and then we're going to open up the trail for people to enjoy that evening.”
Erzfeld stressed that what people see at the ribbon cutting is only the beginning of all that is planned for the multi-use trail.
“We have so much more coming to the park,” she said. “We've installed new picnic tables and new benches. There is an inner and outer loop of the 4.5 miles of trail around the lake and the perimeter of the 57-acre park. We also have three down directional FLOW trails. I describe these as being kind of like sliding boards that are all downhill. You ride them down them and then come back up the hill and do it all over again. We have one for beginners intermediate and advanced, and then we also have three skills trails with obstacles on them like bridges, rock formations and rock gardens.
“That way, people can start homing in on their biking skills, become more familiar with obstacles and build their confidence so they can improve and then graduate from beginner to immediate to advanced riders. We also have our 12,000 square foot dirt pump track. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned pro, the pump track is a great way to build bike skills as well. It’s especially well-suited for mountain bikers who are developing their bike handling — jumping corners and just maintaining that momentum. Kids love pump tracks because they can go around and around and around.”
In addition to all that, there are plans to construct three restrooms, a 20x30-foot pavilion and a large kiosk at the trailhead to provided visitors with additional information about the park.
“It will provide information like what kind of fish are in the in the lake, and what kind of birds are flying around,” Erzfeld said. “We also want to encourage people to wear their bike helmets and other safety equipment while on the trail. The kiosk will be really important for conveying a lot of information pertaining to the park.”
The ribbon cutting is open to the public.
