Mississippi River Trail String of Pearls Project

BE AN MRT PEARL!

Working with the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Midwest and Southeast Regions of the National Park Service, MRT, Inc. has developed a special program to feature some of our key route development projects. This project has allowed MRT, Inc. to expand its route development capacity. The series is designed to bring will bring state and national attention to the corridor and promote the development of new opportunities based on conservation, health, and economic development. This project engages MRT staff, members of the National Park Service, and local community advocates in the process of developing and designating MRT routes.

• New Orleans, Louisiana – Hurricane Katrina site – Trail system and green infrastructure redevelopment project.

• Vicksburg, Mississippi – trail expansion to include a loop citywide system and reopening of a Mississippi River vehicular bridge for pedestrian/bicycle use only.

• Helena, Arkansas – Connecting downtown Helena/West Helena to the Arkansas Delta Heritage Trail (ADH). The ADH is a conservation-oriented 70 mile trail through environmentally significant wildlife areas. Serving as an illustration conservation-oriented trail use, this project is also designed to provide a link from downtown Helena to the long-distance trail attraction thus encouraging economic development of support businesses and eco-tourism opportunities. This project also serves as part of an effort to create a loop route from Memphis, Tennessee south through Tunica, then west to Helena and finally, north the West Memphis and Memphis! This route will be a great weekend ride opportunity when completed.

• Memphis – Creation of a tour route through the urban area that connects various historic museums and cultural sites. MRT, Inc. and Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation have expanded their partnership to support development of the Mississippi River Natural Heritage Corridor project as well as the Shelby Farms trails development project, the Wolf River trails project, and the CNX rail to trail conversion.

• Clinton, Iowa – Partnership with the city of Clinton, Iowa is helping facilitate trail development and linkages to parks and historic areas through the city based on a special trail construction appropriation received from Congressional Bill
HR 3.

• Minneapolis, Minnesota – Development of a Minnesota State Committee for MRT, Inc. to spearhead trail designation in a state with over 800 miles of the MRT.

• Muscatine, Iowa – site of a comprehensive trail redevelopment and realignment project designed to enhance Muscatine’s trail system and provide great new ride opportunities!

• Lake City, Minnesota – home of Lake Pepin and one of the most scenic areas in southern Minnesota. Lake City is working on development of trail spurs through the city to enhance cyclist opportunities to “see the sites.” Click on the Lake City logo on our partner’s page to find out more about this MRT “jewel.