Houston’s Brushy Creek Trail opened Saturday along the stream that runs through the community. Plans call for the walking and hiking venue to eventually circle the city.
A large crowd gathered for a chance to walk the trail, which weaves along the stream’s bank. Sen. Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, and Rep. Don Wells, R-Cabool, were among those attending the event, which also included a representative of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which helped fund the project.
The Brushy Creek Trail includes property that was acquired by Downtown Houston Inc. and the City of Houston to increase recreational opportunities for area residents. A redi-mix plant was transformed into the Brushy Creek Trail, which is a quarter-mile long. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to walk to the end and return to the trailhead. The City of Houston and its park board earlier completed the Emmett Kelly Park portion of the Village Trail. Nearby, a historic building is being developed into a welcome center. In the same neighborhood, a FEMA grant allowed for the destruction of apartment along the creek’s banks.
For many, Saturday’s event provided the first opportunity to view the improvements. Many of those attending wore free trail T-shirts that were distributed earlier. Buses shuttled participants from Emmett Kelly Park to the Brushy Creek Trail. Parking was at a premium. Walkers expressed surprise about the beauty along the trail. The path’s service is finely crushed rock material that has been rolled.
A grant from the Resource, Conservation and Development in Houston provided funding for a wildflower project on the hill overlooking the creek. It is expected to take about three years to become fully established.
Other sections of the trail are already on the drawing board through financing by the Missouri Department of Transportion:
• U.S. 63 from Highway 17 to Grand Avenue. Scott Consulting Engineers completed plans, which are under review by MoDOT. That segment is pegged at $289,000._
• Grand Avenue (beginning at Spruce Street) to a Brushy Creek low-water bridge that will be constructed. Part two is Grand Avenue to Emmett Kelly Park. Two native rock entry signs will be created on north and south U.S. 63. Cost is $322,700.
• Spruce Street from Grand Avenue (at the new county justice center) to near Airport Road. Cost is $234,500. A portion will include bridges on the Christie property.__