News Release No. 415

MISSOURI TRAIL SUMMIT PLANNED
OCT. 27-29 IN COLUMBIA

Volume 33-415

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 7, 2005 -- Trail professionals, advocates and users from across Missouri and neighboring states will gather Oct. 27-29 for the second annual Missouri Trail Summit in Columbia. The summit will attract attendees to discuss best practices in the design, development and management of trails. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Missouri Park and Recreation Association to carry out the event. Other partners include the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mark Twain National Forest.

This year's event will take place at the Frontier Conference Center at the Stoney Creek Inn. Nationally recognized experts will be on hand from the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative and the National Ready Mix Concrete Association. The keynote speaker is Pam Gluck, executive director of American Trails, the only national non-profit organization to fully support all types of trail interests. American Trails promotes trail connections, advocacy and involvement, and is responsible for conducting the biennial National Trails Symposium.

Session and workshop content will cover a variety of trail aspects, from building a local greenway network and creating and marketing a water trail to managing an off-highway vehicle park. Attendees can participate in a cycling seminar, a trail crew leadership course, an equestrian safety workshop or a trail security workshop, among other educational sessions. Additional events associated with the summit include a slide show at Walt's Bike and Fitness in Columbia at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 conducted by the International Mountain Bicycling Association's Trail Care Crew. A mountain bike ride with the crew will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 30 at Binder Park in Jefferson City. Participants should bring their own bicycles.

Registration for all three days of the summit is $150 and includes the social event, workshops and off-site events, educational sessions and some meals. One-day registrations are also available and prices per day vary. Stoney Creek Inn is offering a special room rate to conference attendees. Registration information can be obtained by visiting the Missouri Park and Recreation Association Web site at http://www.mopark.org/.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/parkssearch.do.

###