Recreational Trail through Eldon one step closer

ELDON - Ameren Missouri has brought a recreational trail through Eldon one step closer to reality by agreeing to allow use of the former Rock Island Railroad right of way for the project.

            Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments is assisting the Eldon community with negotiations and construction of the trail. Mac McNally, LOCLG regional planner, has spearheaded the effort to turn the overgrown right of way into a community asset and economic development tool. McNally told the ad hoc Rock Island Trail Task Force this week that the Ameren decision clears the way for work to begin on the project.


            “This has been an almost two-year effort,” McNally said. “Now we can move ahead, clear the right of way and begin to develop what will be a huge asset for the Eldon community.

            McNally said the trail project began as part of an economic development effort to attract business and industry to Eldon. Businesses relocating to new communities are often interested in available recreation opportunities as a value for their employees.

            As the project has moved forward, state Rep. Rodney Shad, the Eldon Chamber of Commerce and others have joined in the effort.

            The Eldon right of way is approximately three miles long and is part of the larger Rock Island rail line which runs 245 miles from Maryland Heights, near St. Louis, to Pleasant Hill, near Kansas City. The Department of Natural Resources is currently constructing a 42-mile trail on the right of way between Windsor and Pleasant Hill that will connect to the cross-state Katy Trail. Federal Rails to Trails legislation allows for conversion of unused railroad right of ways to recreation use. Such corridors could revert to rail use in the future. Ameren Missouri acquired the Rock Island right of way in 1999 through the subsidiary Missouri Central Railroad in partnership with General Railway Corporation.

            The Katy Trail, one of the most successful biking/hiking project in the nation, is an example of the conversion of rail lines to recreational use. The Katy run more than 200 miles along the Missouri River from St. Charles to Clinton.

            The task of developing the Eldon trail will now begin in earnest, McNally said. “We have gotten a commitment from AmeriCorps for manpower and are reaching out to the community for assistance with the project,” McNally said. “City officials have been very supportive as have various community groups and individuals.”

            The task force will proceed while a formal trail organization is developed and details are worked out McNally said.

            Members of the task force include Eldon City Administrator Frank Schoneboom, Mayor Ron Bly, Erik Svoboda of the Chamber of Commerce, school Superintendent Matt Davis, Michael Feeback of Lookout Point Consultants, Eldon city Councilwoman Sharon Harms, Daphney Partridge of PAVE AmeriCorps, Renee Pace and Paul Blanchard from the Eldon schools, Chris Foster, who owns property along right of way and Ed Bierbower.