Hatch Foundation Supports Community Building at Lone Pine Bike Park & Greenspace: Ceremonial Groundbreaking on June 1 at 3:30 pm
Category Spotlight On | Posted on June 1, 2021
A transformational donation to Ozark Greenways will strengthen the efforts of local youth and their vision of creating a unique, outdoor place that can be visited by foot or tread. The Hatch Foundation selected this project based on their interest in supporting grassroots projects that foster a love of the outdoors and the importance of our local quality of life.
Please join us at the Groundbreaking Ceremony and Hatch Foundation Donation Announcement on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 3:30 pm. The Park is accessed via the Galloway Creek Greenway trail, and public parking is available within a ~half-mile stroll/bicycle ride along the trail from the following trailheads: Sequiota Park, 3500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Pershing Middle School, 2713 E. Seminole St., or the Towers Shopping Center, 2896 S. Lone Pine Ave.
“When we heard about the Lone Pine Bike Park project, we instantly knew we wanted to get involved. We believe that the enhancements to the park are a great way to build up the community in Springfield. The young teens that are spearheading the project saw a need in their neighborhood and really went for it; they’ve volunteered hundreds of hours of labor, they’ve helped plan the layout and features of the mountain bike trails, and have even created the logo and are selling branded merchandise to help support the project. Their ambition and commitment have been so inspiring; it’s been great to see the youth lead such a large initiative. Lone Pine Bike Park has brought together Springfieldians of all ages and interest levels, and we look forward to seeing the project being enjoyed and loved by the community,” said Erin Danastasio, Hatch Foundation Executive Director.
These funds will provide new natural surface trails, bike park enhancements, and ecological modifications to improve the riparian corridor for stormwater and water quality improvements. The enhancements are projected to take 24 months, resulting in up to five miles total of both new and refined trail alignments, a show-stopper bicycle hub, removal of invasive plants, and new native grasses and tree plantings. Additionally, this project will focus on partnering with a 100% local team to further develop small businesses and area nonprofits resulting in a model that can be replicated as our community continues to embrace natural surface trail development.
Mary Kromrey, Ozark Greenways’ Executive Director stated, “Ozark Greenways believes in connecting people to the places they want to go, to our beautiful outdoors, and, most importantly, to each other. This is an excellent example of a public-private partnership that supports grass roots efforts by our community’s youth, will elevate an existing public park, and aligns with the clamoring for more trails that we are hearing from the Forward SGF comprehensive planning process.”
Learn more about Lone Pine Bike Park & Greenspace by clicking here!
Partner Spotlights:
- The Hatch Foundation, formed in 2019, focuses on nurturing a sense of community through innovative solutions. By building upon its inherent attributes, Hatch is helping Springfield reach its full potential, thus improving the quality of life of Springfieldians.
- Jeff Shelton with SingleFlow Trailbuilders and Jason Feagans: a local duo with over 40 years of trail building and landscaping experience have been contracted for the design-build of the project’s trail component.
- Missouri Off-Road Cyclists and Springfield Youth Cycling Club are providing volunteers to support the on-going trail maintenance needs.
- Springfield-Greene County Park Board strives to provide the very best in parks and recreation facilities, programs, events, and services to our community. The Lone Pine Greenspace, one of the 104 sites within the jurisdiction of the Park Board, was preserved by a group of engaged residents in 2003 for the purpose of greenspace, stormwater management, and appropriate low impact uses (such as trails.) The next generation of residents worked together to add natural surface trails in 2019, and in 2020 several community partners came together to support this Springfield-Greene County Park because many residents desire a more robust and connected park and trail system. The Lone Pine Bike Park will occupy approximately 16 acres within this greenspace.
- Watershed Committee of the Ozarks’ Conservation Corps is dedicated to engaging and employing young people in hands-on watershed improvement. The WCC is a program of the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, and they have been contracted for the ecological improvements that are needed in this area, which is a part of the James River Watershed. Specifically, WCC will focus on vegetation management and integration of their Missouri Natives program to provide native trees and grasses in this area, which was once a savannah. They also have trained trail builders on their team, which will assist in the successful placement of new native plantings while also providing additional support to the team.
- Ozark Greenways’ mission is to build a trail system that connects and enhances our community. They are the non-profit partner to the City of Springfield, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Greene County, Ozarks Transportation Organization, and City Utilities that focuses on our region’s planned system of paved and natural surface multi-use trails that are recreation, transportation infrastructure, tourism destinations, and quality-of-life necessities. Additionally, they also hold over 1,000 acres of land in trust for conservation and preservation.
Contact:
- Mary Kromrey, Ozark Greenways, mary@ozarkgreenways.org
- Erin Danastasio, Hatch Foundation, erin@hatchsgf.org