Katy Trail - Clifton City, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 45.743 W 093° 02.456
15S E 496443 N 4290409
Major trail head on the eastern end of the trail...
Waymark Code: WM125ED
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 03/03/2020
Views: 1
County of park: Cooper County
Location of trailhead: MO State Hwy BB, Katy Trail State Park Trailhead, Clifton City
Site erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
When the railroad decided to cease operation on its route from Machens in St. Charles County to Sedalia in Pettis County in 1986, it presented the chance to create an extraordinary recreational opportunity -- a long-distance hiking and bicycling trail that would run almost 200 miles across the state.
The opportunity for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to acquire the right-of-way was made possible by the National Trails System Act, which provides that railroad corridors no longer needed for active rail service can be banked for future transportation needs and used on an interim basis for recreational trails. Because of a generous donation by the late Edward D. "Ted" Jones, the department was able to secure the right-of-way and construct the trail. In 1991, the Union Pacific Railroad donated to the state an additional 33 miles of rail corridor from Sedalia to east of Clinton. Additional purchases and donations have been added. Today, Katy Trail state park is open for 225 miles from St. Charles to Clinton and is operated by the Department of Natural Resources as part of the state park system.