The Katy Trail
State Park
A New Opportunity!
The Katy Trail State Park was built
over the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas
Railroad (MKT). The idea to not use
this railroad was when it didn’t take
the operation in 1986: from Machens
in St. Charles Country to Sedalia in
Pettis Country. This railroad was
given a chance for a bicycling trail
almost two hundred miles!
Picture of MKT Memorial:
This is the
memorial of The
Missouri-KansasTexas Railroad
Edward D. "Ted" Jones
Edward D. "Ted" Jones lived
December 18, 1925 – October 3,
1990. He and his wife, Pat Jones,
devoted their last years to establish
The Katy Trail State Park. He donated
$2.2 million to Missouri for the
abandoned Missouri-Kansas-Texas
Railroad! He got to see the finished
piece before he died six months later.
National Trails System Act
Missouri Department of Natural
Resources made possible the National
Trails System Act: the railroads
selected no longer is in need for active
rail service; can be banked for future
transportation needs and can be used
for an interim basis for recreational
trails. The Department was able to
construct the trail in 1991.
Additional Donations
Along with the very generous donations
from Edward D. "Ted" Jones and Pat Jones,
other donations were made as well. The
Union Pacific Railroad donated an additional
thirty-three miles! This donation was from
Sedalia to the east of Clinton. Additional
purchases have also been added on to the
trail. The trail today consists of two
hundred thirty-seven and seven-tenths of a
mile!
The Great Flood of 1993
The trail was initially planned for
completion in 1994. However,
the Great Flood of 1993 damaged 75
miles of the original 126 miles of the
trail. The completed trail from St.
Charles to Sedalia was finally opened
in 1996; the section from Sedalia to
Clinton opened in 1999.
The Trail
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Length: 237.7 miles
Surface: Crushed limestone.
Start to End: St. Charles, Missouri to
Clinton, Missouri
The trail is almost all flat. The trail
is solid unless a lot of rain has
occurred recently.
The Flat Trail
This is a picture of
the flat limestone
that is used along
the trail.
It’s Nickname
The Katy Trail State Park got it’s
name from the pronunciation of
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad’s
nickname: MKT. They get the
pronunciation of “Katy,” from the last
two letters of MKT’s nickname: “K,”
and “T”.
The Scenery:
As you go along the trail; you
notice the beautiful scenery around
you. Some features you may enjoy
includes the Missouri River. From my
experience, you also see many
different types of plants and trees.
Occasionally you may come across a
creek.
Scenery Picture:
This is a picture of
what a scenery of
an open field would
look like.
Creeks
While on the
trail, if you come
across a couple of
creeks. In Jefferson
City, Missouri, if
you go east, you
could come across
Turkey Creek; it
would look exactly
like this bridge.
Experiencing the Trail
The Katy Trail State Park is the longest
rail-to-rail project in the Untied States. The
Trail is two hundred thirty-seven and seventenths of a mile! On this Trail you may
enjoy hiking, walking, and bicycling. Horse
back riding can be allowed between the
thirty-four and seven tenths miles
from Calhoun and the Sedalia Fairgrounds;
also on the fifteen and three-tenths miles
between Tebbetts and Portland.
Just Out For a Stroll
Whether a short thirty minute
walk/ride or going the whole trail and
it’s five day journey; the trail is great
exercise and has beautiful scenery.
Trailhead Information
The Katy Trail has various
sceneries. It could be from open fields,
to tree shaded paths. An occasional
trailhead comes up with a possibility of
a bathroom and a water fountain.
This trailhead could contain
information about the route and
history of the trail.
Trailhead
Many trailheads will
look like this as you
travel the trail. Not
all rest stops will
have a restrooms
and water
fountains, so make
sure you pack extra
water and food for
the given amount of
time you will be
traveling.
General Information:
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If bringing pets: must be on a leash.
Smoking unrestricted
Suitable for all ages
Free admission
Open year round
Open from sunrises to sunset
Welcome!
This is the sign that
welcomes you to
the entrance of the
Katy Trail State
Park in Jefferson
City, Missouri
Going East!
When looking at
the Highway 54
bridge, and the
trailhead, this will
mean you are going
east, and heading
for St. Louis.
Going West!
When seeing a
curve in the trail,
and no trailhead or
Highway 54 bridge,
you will be heading
west, and toward
the Kansas City
area.
The Map of Katy Trail State Park
Bibliography
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Works Cited
"Edward D. "Ted" Jones - Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
Apr. 2013.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_
D._%22Ted%22_Jones>.
Bibliography
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"Katy Trail State Park Missouri Katy Trail
Clinton Sedalie Boonville Pilot Grove
Rocheport Jefferson Hermann Trelar St
Charles Machens Missouri St Louis
Rhineland Hartsburg Jefferson City MO
Missouri MO Fries MO Rail Trails Missouri."
Rail Trails Bike Trails Bicycle Rails To Trails
Biking . N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
<http://railstotrails.us/mo_katy_trail.htm>.
Bibliography
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"Katy Trail State Park | Missouri State
Parks." Missouri State Parks. N.p., n.d. Web.
12 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.mostateparks.com/park/katytrail-state-park>.
Region:. "
Katy Trail State Park Statewide in Missouri | VisitMO.com."
VisitMO.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr.
2013. <http://www.visitmo.com/katy-trailstate-park-statewide.aspx>.
MLA formatting by BibMe.org.