Urban Trail system to see widespread tune-ups

Jun. 10—St. Joseph's extensive Urban Trail system is in line for a sizable tune-up as foot traffic nears peak season.

Residents will see more than $600,000 worth of improvements to the Urban Trail system likely starting this summer, with funds coming from both the 2013 and 2019 Capital Improvements Program budgets.

Nearly a dozen trails within the Urban Trail system will see maintenance work, including trails at Northwest and Southwest parkways, Bartlett Park, Maple Leaf Parkway, Riverside Trail and more.

"In 2017 I did some work on trail maintenance. This is far more extensive. This is covering pretty much all of the city and the entire system," said Chance Gallagher, St. Joseph deputy director of transportation said. "We want to maintain it and make sure that everything is good for our citizens."

Just over 2 miles worth of concrete trail panels will be replaced, along with improvements to certain gravel trails and replacement of various bike route signs and trail postings.

At nearly 26 miles in length, a trip along the Urban Trail will take trail-goers to every quadrant of the city, from Hyde Park in the South Side to Krug Park in the north.

Local resident Mike Doran enjoys spending nearly every day biking along the Urban Trail after moving to St. Joseph and discovering the system.

"This is really one of the nicest things in St. Joe. We moved from Olathe and they have a really nice long trail out there, too," he said.

Project contracts are currently out for approval. Officials hope to start trail maintenance this summer and are ready to work until the end of fall to complete the project depending on weather.

Urban Trails seeing upcoming work include:

Southwest Parkway Trail

Rock Island Parkway Trail

Bartlett Parkway Trail

Patee Parkway Trail

Parkway A Trail

Lilac Hill Parkway Trail

Corby Parkway Trail

Maple Leaf Parkway Trail

Northwest Parkway Trail

Project managers and transportation planners walked the entire trail system to identify damage and priority areas for the project.

"Wherever they start is just going to be where it's easy to mobilize for the construction company. And then they'll work in that area and then move to the next area," Gallagher said.

A well-maintained trail system does more than just offer residents a popular outdoor recreation spot, it can help boost property values.

St. Joseph residents will see even more work done in the coming years after voters approved last year's CIP, one that included $2.5 million for future Urban Trail expansion and maintenance. When construction begins, the project is expected to take 18 months to complete.