National Parks Service (NPS) is hosting an interactive Rock Island Trail meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the American Legion Hall in Rosebud to discuss ideas that will make the local former railroad unique, trailhead location, and connectivity.

The event will be hosted by National Parks Service Community Planner Ashley Newson. 

“We are trying to get community feedback for trail planning,” Newson explained. “This is a chance for community members to provide their input. What’s important to them? The trailhead, connectivity? Where the connections should be? Should the connections be downtown? At the school? What route to use?”

Newson, who was present at the Rock Island planning meeting hosted by Missouri State Parks in the spring in Owensville, said this meeting is set apart from the other. It is not just giving the community information, it is promoting their interaction to decide on the local trail’s future image.

“What could make their trail stand out? What is unique about their community that they could use to elevate it?” Newson continued. “We will have posters up to provide opportunities to respond and provide feedback. The maps will be used to identify those important destinations such as schools, and downtown, and look at the trailhead locations as well as trail connections. Begin to identify some routes to those destinations.”

Grants and available funds to help communities begin building the trail within city limits will also be discussed.

“The (Meramec) Regional Planning Commission will be there to provide information on grants and resources,” Newson said.

Ultimately, the interactive meeting is the prelude to breaking ground.

“This will be an interactive meeting, not just about giving information, but an opportunity to coalesce the information and the community start of kicking off the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) grant opportunities.”

DHSS currently offers a $10,000 grant for planning bike and pedestrian routes and amenities. Half of the funds may be used to go towards benches, bike racks and printed materials. 

“Efforts tie in nicely since the trail is going to be a big component for the bike and pedestrian plan,” Newson said. “The meeting about the trail will jumpstart those efforts.”

The open house-style meeting encourages community members in Belle and Bland to drop in and share their views.

Newson and her team will be meeting with community leaders and state representatives on Wednesday to tour the trail through town. 

There is also a meeting for Belle and Bland from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Belle Bland Community Center in Belle.