Embrace the Trail option

Over a decade ago the Missouri Department of Conservation designated the Blue River Corridor as a "conservation opportunity area," the only one in an urban area. But after the failure of county and city leaders to meaningfully embrace this idea, we've sadly gotten dropped from their map. Despite that, choosing the vastly more economical trail project could finally move us in the right direction. Anyone who enjoys being in nature to de-stress, explore, spend time with family, birdwatch or connect with nature will benefit.

And not only direct users. The role of this green corridor in mitigating urban heating should not be discounted. Try this on a hot summer day: turn north on Blue River Road from Hickman Mills and be amazed at the temperature drop as you enter the more green corridor. Wouldn't anyone prefer to live in an area with a nearby nature trail than just a road? One that's literally cooler?

Note however that our city's current "trail" construction methods could use improvement with regards to preserving natural life. A trail going through a natural area needs its existing native plants preserved or restored on either side of it. It does NOT need an apron of mowed turf grass further dividing and degrading our ever reducing natural spaces. APWA standards exist to accomplish erosion control with native seeds. These are readily available, Missouri sourced, and can be economical.

It's easy for the masses to think of this area as a dump or so wholly taken over by invasive plants as to be valueless. But its value as a "conservation opportunity area" remains, evidenced by highly diverse iNaturalist observations and the restoration being done at Heartland Overlook Preserve just catty corner from one of the closed sections at Grandview Rd.

I've volunteered there and annually at Blue River Cleanup. I've biked on the road when it was open and since it's been closed. "This should be a trail" always comes to mind.