Ribbon cutting for Spirit Trail set for Nov. 7…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 4, 2024 - Join the team at Knob Noster State Park for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. for the new section of the Spirit Trail. The finished trail will now connect Warrensburg and Whiteman Air Force Base to Knob Noster State Park.

In 1995, the citizens of Warrensburg and Whiteman shared an interest in connecting the two communities. Phase 1 of the trail was completed in the late 1990s but did not fully connect the two locations.

By 2012, the Johnson County Trail Coalition, now known as the Spirit Trail Coalition, organized to continue a county-wide pedestrian and bicycle trail system. Through cooperative efforts of the Johnson County Commission, local municipal governments, Missouri State Parks, University of Central Missouri, Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission, state legislators, Missouri Department of Transportation and Whiteman AirForce Base, a four-phase plan was developed with a completion timeline of up to 10 years.

Through multiple funding sources, construction on the trail began in August 2017, with a ribbon cutting for the completed eastern section of the Spirit Trail held Oct. 16, 2018. Now complete, the trail connects Warrensburg through Knob Noster State Park to the city of Knob Noster and Whiteman Air Force Base.

"We are excited to see this come to fruition," said David Kelly, director of Missouri State Parks. "This will provide the citizens of Warrensburg and residents and visitors to Whiteman a great opportunity to experience nature. The trail is designed for the enjoyment of hikers and bicyclists both."

Knob Noster State Park is located at 817 SE 10 in Knob Noster.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.