GERALD — Friday, Jan. 26, will be a day long remembered by many in Gerald. It was the day work began on the Rock Island Trail in this town. An indoor ceremony was held at the Bistro at the Mill, before adjourning to the trail.

Recognizing the historical significance of the day, Brad Royle, principal of Gerald Elementary School, bussed the third-grad class to the event. The day helped reinforce the lessons they are learning on local and state government as they heard presentations from several representatives. Royle drove the bus himself minimizing costs to the school district.

The students stole the show and became stars for the day.

They stood in respectful silence as they heard state representatives Mike McGirl and Bruce Sassmann speak on what the trail will mean to small towns along its corridor. They heard Gerald Mayor Angela Koepke and Alderman Corey Novotney talk of the pride they had that Gerald will be the first to complete a small section of the eastern trail.

Dru Buntin, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources told the students of his elation that a dream decades long in the making, was finally becoming  a reality. “Communities are leading the way,” he said noting that Gerald’s drive speaks volumes for what can be accomplished.

Rick Milhalevich, president of the Friends of the Rock Island Trail State Park (FoRIT, formerly MoRIT) recognized several community members for their work in making the trail a reality. He gave special recognition to the Rock Island Trail East 24 (E24) group.

The E24 group was the brainchild of Mark Schaeperkoetter. He recruited members for the group from a variety of communities along the trail. The group is committed to building the trail from Gerald to Belle. This 24 mile section will be long enough to attract serious cyclists for a weekend ride.

During the ceremony it was noted that meetings with the E24 group convinced state officials of the level of commitment present in this area. 

As has been learned from the success of the Katy Trail, these cyclists come to ride the trail spending money along the way. Small towns along the Katy Trail have seen significant economic growth due to that trail. Supporters of the Rock Island Trail expect the same success for their communities.

Cary Parker, a member of both FORIT and E24 served as the emcee for the day. He emphasized that this first mile of the trail will be completed without tax dollars. It is being funded totally by private community donations and effort.

After the speeches, those in attendance moved outside to the trail where the ground-breaking first scoop of dirt was taken from the trail’s surface.

Each third-grader was then offered the shovel to remove their own scoop of dirt from the trail.

The school children had been reminded that while trail development began that day, it would be up to their generation to keep the progress going. The youngsters seemed quite enthusiastic for their future role as keepers of the trail.

Only a few naysayers have doubted what the trail will bring to Gerald and other small communities along its path. Attracting tourists is only one part of the equation. It will also, and already has, given valuable networking opportunities to the area.

Koepke reported that one gentleman in attendance at the ground breaking offered his assistance in helping the city find funds for sidewalk improvements.

Another member of the E24 noted that she had been approached about free trees to plant along the trail.

David Eagleton of Kirkwood came to the ground breaking with his wife and three grandchildren. He is active in trail development in his area of the state. He hopes to one day see his local trails connected to the Rock Island Trail. The excitement and enthusiasm of those present that day will surely help propel the trail along.

The first mile of the trail began in Gerald last Friday, but the work is far from over.

Schaeperkoetter challenged his group, “Go west 24!”

There will be 23 more miles of trail to build. But Gerald will always be remembered as the first to build a mile.