Preliminary work on the Rock Island Trail State Park will begin this week in Gerald.

Woody Bogler Trucking began hauling and stockpiling rock from Riverstone Quarry in Union next to the trail this week.

State Park officials have arranged for MoDOT to replace a damaged culvert next to the trail. That work will begin next week.

Excavation and the actual construction of the trail is scheduled for the first full week in March. It will take the city an estimated one to two weeks for this part of the process.

As each section of the trail is finished, traffic control bollards will be put in place by the City of Gerald. These prevent vehicles from accessing the trail.

State Parks will be working with the city on the placement of signage. They will also construct ADA parking adjoining the trail.

Once construction of the trail is complete, a group of volunteers is working with State and National Park personnel to add amenities and landscaping to Roadside Park.

Funds have already been donated to the city to cover the cost of all materials. The city will furnish manpower and equipment to finish the trail.

All scheduled work is dependent on weather conditions, but it looks as though the first mile of trail will be ready for use by late spring.