Jackson Free Press

The local Museum to Market Bike Trail project suffered a slight setback after it was denied funding from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries toward the end of last year. The organizers behind the project, however, are still enthusiastic.

"The news didn't really stall our plans," said Dr. Clay Hays, former chairman of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. "Right now we're trying to work with the city to get funding, and we've also got some private businesses that want to come in and help."

The Chamber Partnership, along with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the city of Jackson, have banded together with local bike organizations to create a trail that will run partially along an unused railroad bed near Belhaven. The trail will start by the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum on Lakeland Drive, run along Riverside Drive in front of the Mississippi Children's Museum and then veer behind the water treatment plant. From there, the trail will follow along a dirt path that was formerly a railroad bed. It will end at the Farmers' Market and Fairgrounds on High Street.

While the Jackson trail could stand alone, the organizations behind the project ultimately want to connect it to other bike trails in Ridgeland, Flowood and Pelahatchie.

"We've been talking to mayors (Harvey) Johnson (Jr.), (Gene) McGee, (Gary) Rhoads and Knox Ross about bringing the trail together with other trails in the metro area. We're trying to brand it all together," Hays said.

The cost of the Museum to Market bike trail is projected to be around $2 million. Hays said that several private businesses and organizations are prepared to provide funding, but the groups behind the project have to come up with a solid blueprint first. To accomplish that, the group is working with Jackson landscape architecture firm Weatherford-McDade, who had a hand in the Long Leaf Trace bike trail in Hattiesburg.

"I think it's a great project," Hays said. "It's a good collaboration effort between cities (in the Jackson metro area). It shows what we can do together. They say inter-city partnerships don't work, but I'm telling you they do."

An important precursor to construction of the trail is a clean up of the area. Those interested in helping should visit the Museum to Market Cleanup Day Facebook page. Originally scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 5, cleanup has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Previous Comments

ID

162420

Comment

Really love this idea. It could be a great family activity - can see bike rentals at both ends, and racks at the museums. Also I think that the value of tourist dollars is going to be important for the future of the whole metro area, and this is one great way to add value to the tourist experience.

Author

Izzy

Date

2011-03-04T14:28:37-06:00

ID

162421

Comment

tiny correction: The proposed trail will end at the Farmer's Market and Fairgrounds on HIGH Street. (listed above as Fortification) What a great article highlighting the community efforts around getting the Trail finished. I love the idea of the bike rentals and racks as well. The most important thing to know about this project is that it truly is an effort from community members; this is a perfect chance for citizens to show that we want a walkable, bikeable (and more healthy) community. The re-scheduled date for the Trail Clean up will be posted on www.bikewalkmississippi.org as soon as it is finalized. Send an email to [email protected] with any questions or to learn how to show your support of this trail.

Author

judah

Date

2011-03-04T14:36:59-06:00

ID

162422

Comment

Three thumbs up for this project!!!!

Author

gwilly

Date

2011-03-04T14:37:04-06:00

ID

162423

Comment

I heard Clay Hays speak about this, and he mentioned also that down the line the trail could extend from the farmer's market at High Street, through downtown Jackson, and towards JSU and/or Clinton. I love this idea, love the idea of bikers coming through downtown, exploring the city.

Author

Izzy

Date

2011-03-04T14:43:41-06:00

ID

162428

Comment

tiny correction: The proposed trail will end at the Farmer's Market and Fairgrounds on HIGH Street. (listed above as Fortification) Correction made.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2011-03-04T18:50:12-06:00

ID

162429

Comment

This is a plan that involved Jackson and suburbs. This is a great plan! Hope Kaz doesn't get upset since Jackson is working together with it's neighbors. That's a no-no according to him.

Author

RobbieR

Date

2011-03-04T20:54:58-06:00