Rosebud gets big boost to build trail

By Linda Trest, Staff Writer

Posted 2/4/26

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Rosebud gets big boost to build trail

The Rosebud Area Enrichment Association was presented with a check for $30,000 last Tuesday to build the Rock Island Trail through their town. The check was presented by members of Friends of the Rock Island Trail and The Rock Island Trail East 24 groups. The E24 group was represented by members from Belle, Owensville, Rosebud and several from Gerald. An additional $6,000 was donated by two trail-friendly local residents.

PHOTO BY BOB FLOTTMANN

Posted Wednesday, February 4, 2026 11:55 am

By Linda Trest, Staff Writer

The mission of the Rock Island Trail East 24 (E24) group is to build the trail in the Rock Island State Park from Gerald to Belle. This 24-mile stretch will be long enough to attract cyclists from around the state to spend a weekend visiting the area. E24 works closely with Friends of The Rock Island Trail (FoRIT) to focus their work.

Last week, the Rosebud Area Enrichment Association (RAEA)joined the mission and received more than $35,000 to get them started. The money came from FoRIT and E24. Estimates to complete the 1.25 mile stretch through Rosebud come in at $125,000.

Currently, Gerald has been able to complete a one-mile section through town. Owensville has mostly completed the trail through their town, with only a short piece to complete on the west side of town. Gasconade County is currently working on rocking the trail from Owensville east to the Soap Creek trestle bridge.

A private donor has agreed to renovate the trestle once the trail meets both ends of the bridge.

The City of Rosebud has already funded engineering for the 1.25 mile stretch through their town at a cost of $4,000. The city is not sure they can afford the manpower needed to maintain the trail, which mostly consists of grass cutting.

The RAEA has agreed to take on the responsibility of maintenance of the trail as well as raising money for the trail’s completion. E24 has pledged to support and assist with fund raising efforts.

Gerald officials plan to apply for a grant to extend the trail from the western city limits to the Franklin/Gasconade county line. Belle is ready to complete the trail through that town using grant funds.

Should everything go according to plan, this would leave only two stretches of trail left to complete in order to connect Gerald to Owensville. The section from the Gasconade County line to Rosebud and the section from the west side of Rosebud to the Soap Creek bridge.

Members of FoRIT seem confident the section can be completed within a year.

After that, E24 will turn its attention to connecting Belle to Owensville.