Army Corps of Engineers Trails Designated as National Recreation Trails

WASHINGTON, June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Six U.S. Army Corps of Engineers trails are among the 31 trails designated as national recreation trails May 25 by the Department of the Interior. These trails will join the national network of more than 1,080 recreation trails that span from coast to coast and encompass more than 12,500 miles of existing trails and trail systems.

The national recreation trail designation recognizes those trails that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. The first national trails were established in the early 1970s.

Each of the new trails will receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from the Secretary of the Interior and national recreation trail markers.

As the nation's largest federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, the Corps' 422 lake and river projects in 43 states provide more than 4,500 miles of diverse trails and trail systems. Corps of Engineers officials credit the support of local public and private organizations and the thousands of volunteers annually in helping to make these trails and trail systems available for public use.

The following six Corps of Engineers' trails have been designated as national recreation trails:

Kaskaskia River Confluence Trail, Kaskaskia Lock and Dam, Mississippi River – Lower, Ill.:

The highlight of the .4-mile Kaskaskia River Confluence Trail is access to the shoreline at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. This is the only public river access site on the banks of the Mississippi River for 100 miles in the State of Illinois. The trail traverses a high quality bottomland forested area and is used for walking, bicycling, jogging, and educational and interpretive programs on river history, navigation and shipping.

Des Moines River Water Trail, Saylorville Lake, Iowa:

This 19-mile Des Moines River Water Trail is a scenic, historical and natural experience with multiple access points. The trail serves a diverse group of trail users and connects rural and urban populations. This river corridor is on a major migratory flyway for numerous species and exhibits tremendous bird and wildlife viewing opportunities during all seasons.  

Spyglass Hill Trail, Enid Lake, Miss.:

Spyglass Hill Trail is a 17-mile multi-purpose trail located at Enid Lake, Mississippi. The trail offers many recreational opportunities including camping, wildlife watching, equestrian riding, and scenic views. The diverse terrain offers visitors a chance to become physically fit and relax their minds from the everyday hustle and bustle while viewing the many plant and wildlife species that inhabit the area.

Black River Hike & Bike Trail, Clearwater Lake, Mo.:

The Black River Hike and Bike Trail is a 3.25-mile gentle paved and gravel trail that winds through the bottomland hardwoods and pines along the Black River below Clearwater Dam. The trail offers a great diversity of scenery. The 10-foot wide trail is perfect for biking, jogging or for taking a leisurely stroll. Five entry points provide multiple options from a short 1-mile walk to a full 3.25-mile bike ride.

Knob Hills Trail, Grapevine Lake, Texas:

Located on the west end of Grapevine Lake, near the City of Flower Mound, Texas, the 5.43-mile Knob Hills Trail is a natural surface trail that traverses the prairies and bottomland on the north bank of Denton Creek.  Hikers and bicyclists share the trail with equestrians for part of its length

Lacy Point Nature Trail, Waco Lake, Texas:

The Lacy Point Nature Trail is a multi-use trail located on the west shore of Waco Lake. This is the only public interpretive trail in the region to offer signed access to horse riders, cyclists, bank fishermen and hikers between Fort Worth and Georgetown, Texas, on the busy I-35 corridor. The 19 miles of trail feature interpretive trail markers, directional maps at junctions, and picnic table access along the shoreline.

For more information on these trails and the many other recreation opportunities available at Corps of Engineers sites, please visit www.corpslakes.us. For more information on national recreation trails, please visit http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/

The announcement of new national recreation trails is timed to coincide with National Trails Day held annually on the first Saturday of June. This year's event is scheduled for June 5 and will be celebrated by hikes, education programs, bike rides, volunteer projects and trail dedications in hundreds of places nationwide. A complete schedule of nationwide activities is available at http://www.americanhiking.org/Get-Involved/National-Trails-Day/.

SOURCE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers