Jackson Free Press

Jackson's bike-friendly status could get a boost, with bike advocate organizations, the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the city working together to develop multi-use bike trails to create a stronger bike presence.

Currently, Jackson only has two bike lanes: one on Old Canton Road and one on the parkway near Jackson State University. In June, however, the city received a $2 million grant to improve Fondren's streetscapes, which may include bike trails, and the city and chambers are working to convert an abandoned railroad track near Belhaven into a multi-purpose trail.

In addition, Bike Walk Mississippi moved its office from Oxford to Jackson Aug. 1.

Melody Moody, the newly appointed executive director of Bike Walk, says the bike and pedestrian advocacy group's new location inside the Jackson Community Design Center on Capitol Street downtown will put the office close to the state Legislature and in the midst of new development.

"The Jackson Metro Cyclists, one of the most active bicycling clubs in the state, and the Jackson Bike Advocates, a fairly new organization, have been very active in the past year," Moody says. She hopes that Bike Walk Mississippi moving to Jackson will help build up bike-ability in the city.

On the trails front, recent efforts by the two Jackson-area chambers and Jackson's Department of Planning and Development may bring a segment of a larger bike plan to the city. In May, the department submitted a grant application to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to fund a conversion of the abandoned railroad track that runs east of Laurel Street to High Street into a multi-purpose trail. Dr. Clay Hays, chairman of the Greater Jackson Chamber, said that the multi-use trail will connect the area near the Museum of Natural Science to the Mississippi Farmer's Market on High Street.

The city destroyed the old railroad track long ago and installed a dirt service road in the woods on the eastern side of Belhaven. If the city receives the grant, the chamber has pledged to help with additional funding.

The Department of Planning and Development is seeking $282,000 from the grant and will contribute $71,000 out of the city's general fund for an initial cost of $353,000 for the project. The trail would be about two miles long, 10 feet wide and paved with asphalt.

Hays estimated the trail could be completed in 18 months if funding for the project comes through. He also mentioned that the chamber is discussing plans to set up a foundation for the project, which would help with maintenance and long-term funding of the trail.

Former Jackson Chamber President David Pharr said that chamber, which serves only Jackson businesses, wants to make sure that plans for a regional bike trail system includes the city.

"It'd be possible for it (a regional trail system) to go around Jackson if we're not careful. So we've got to be sure to get the Jackson segment developed," Pharr says.

Pharr, Hays and Corinne Fox, deputy director of the Department of Planning and Development, said that a regional trail system could eventually connect with trails in Ridgeland, Clinton and Flowood.

"Jackson would be a central hub, and then we would have spokes going out from the center of Jackson to connect other trails," Hays said.

"Ultimately, someone could get on a trail in Jackson and ride all the way to the reservoir or all the way to Jackson State or beyond," Fox added.

A similar project in Hattiesburg, known as the Longleaf Trace, is designated as a Rails to Trails Recreational District. The 41-mile trail runs from Hattiesburg to Prentiss. The district is made up of four cities and three counties that contribute a portion of their property taxes toward the trail for maintenance.

Pharr noted that this will not be necessary for the Jackson trail, but may be a possibility if the trail connects to surrounding counties in the future. "It could be a fantastic regional project that the three counties could work on together, but we'll have to see what the will of those jurisdictions is," Pharr said.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will notify the city by Aug. 10 about the funds. The next step would be an engineering design plan, which could take three to four months to develop, Fox says. The city would then need to obtain easements from private property owners along the railroad to build the trail on their land. Construction could take an additional six to seven months. If the grant does not come through, the chambers will pursue other options to fund the trail.

If you would like to help efforts to improve Jackson's bike-ability (or just meet cool people), join Jackson Bike Advocates or Jackson Metro Cyclists who host regular group bike rides. Visit http://www.jacksonbikeadvocates.org or http://www.jmc.clubexpress.com for more information.

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Previous Comments

ID

159263

Comment

regarding the photo accompanying this piece- the woman does not have on a helmet, and she's wearing open- toed shoes, both big no-nos. Bell bottoms aren't exactly a good choice for riding, either, as they can get caught up in the chain.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-08-11T16:06:01-06:00

ID

159264

Comment

Way ahead of you, Bill. We have that printed right on the cover under the photo and again on the contents page under the photo. This is clearly an artsy photo. For the record, you should probably also not ride a bike on the roof of the King Edward next to a swimming pool. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-08-11T16:42:01-06:00

ID

159266

Comment

Well, I suppose if the pool was filled with water it might make for a softer landing when the bell bottoms meet the chain ring -LOL

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-08-11T19:15:05-06:00

ID

159268

Comment

Trust me. She didn't ride a foot. It was an art and fashion thang. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-08-11T19:18:27-06:00

ID

159272

Comment

Badly needed - bike trails and sidewalks. Especially for roads like Beasley, Ridgewood Road, Countyline Road, State Street, Northside Drive, Medgar Evers, Capital Street, Ellis Avenue, Lynch Street. Let's get walking Mississippi!

Author

Duan C.

Date

2010-08-12T07:10:02-06:00

ID

159279

Comment

I'm very excited for the new bike path going through Belhaven Heights to High street. How cool! What can we do to make it happen. I want to contribute. I'm very excited about the bike advocacy going on in J-town, hooooorayyyyy!

Author

Izzy

Date

2010-08-12T10:26:51-06:00

ID

159295

Comment

It's a new world for those of us that bicycle commute. Just for the love of God PAVE the roads! Monument at Bailey Avenue is killer on tires and don't get me started on Palmyra St. It's like riding over the craters of the moon. West Fortification is a lot better than it use to be.

Author

wgrant72

Date

2010-08-12T15:29:41-06:00

ID

159335

Comment

I'm very excited for the new bike path going through Belhaven Heights to High street. How cool! What can we do to make it happen. I want to contribute. I'm very excited about the bike advocacy going on in J-town, hooooorayyyyy! You guys wont be mad if we keep using the old tracks as a jeep trail will you?

Author

Mark Ellis

Date

2010-08-14T09:11:33-06:00

ID

160126

Comment

Unfortunately the city did not receive the grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Author

Lacey McLaughlin

Date

2010-09-29T09:22:21-06:00

ID

160135

Comment

It's a pretty good trail already-if asses would stop dumping there. I want them to make the new water main path, run from the rez to downtow, into a bike/walking/atv trail. Thing is, we used to be able to ride from the fair grounds all the way to CCofJ / MuleJail. Now it's pretty restricted. To be in a river city, it's pretty difficult to take advantage of it. The river walk idea is cool, but it'll destroy the rugged nature of it. I think they should focus on well engineered trails and trail heads, at both ends and in between. This would give all residents equal access, and provide a really long trail. It would be the coolest thing Jackson ever did.

Author

Mark Ellis

Date

2010-09-29T17:44:51-06:00