Shuyler Creek Trail may extend to battlefield

By: 
Steve Chapman

Shown is a map of the proposed Shuyler Creek Trail Expansion.

Nearby landowners unhappy that trail could potentially cut through their property south of Republic
 
Shuyler Creek Trail is currently a three-quarters-of-a-mile walking and biking trail in Republic, but the city has plans to make it much longer. A proposed project, the Shuyler Creek Trail Expansion, will extend the trail about 1.6 miles to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

A description of the project
The project’s tentative plans, the details of which are still being decided, call for extending the trail from its current ending point—a loop about 1,000 feet east of Oakwood Avenue—southeast towards Elm Street and then continue on the north side of Elm Street to Farm Road 99. A pedestrian crossing will be installed at Farm Road 99, and from there, the trail will continue on the south side of Farm Road 182 up until just west of State Highway ZZ.
“We expect to proceed with construction in May 2023,” said Allyssa Dudley, public information officer for the city of Republic. “The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.7 million, with $1.36 million in federal funding provided via the MoDOT Surface Transportation Block Grant, and approximately $340,000 matched with local funding.”
While the construction stops just short of Highway ZZ, Dudley said that “the Missouri Department of Transportation is making intersection improvements that will connect the Shuyler Creek Trail expansion to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.”
Dudley also said the project would give Republic residents a new opportunity for recreation.
“The Shuyler Creek Trail expansion is going to be a great way for families and those looking for outdoor recreation to walk, run, or cycle to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield,” she said.

Landowner objects to proposed trail crossing her property
Not everyone is happy with the proposed expansion, however. Several landowners, who stand to be affected by the extension, have spoken against the project at recent Republic City Council meetings.
Among those, Lisa Roller, said the expansion would create an easement on the farm that has been in her husband’s family since 1956, and would not only force them to move gates and fencing, but also remove two mature tulip trees, one of which was planted by her later mother-in-law over 50 years ago, another of which was planted by his brother.
Roller also said the proposed trail would violate her and her husband’s privacy.
“The trail will be 30 feet from my front door,” she said. “If I wanted to have kids and bikes (outside) my front door, I would have lived inside city limits. We are retired (and) just put in our forever pool, hot tub and bar. Are we supposed to feel uncomfortable in our own yard?”
Roller added that she had been to city council meetings to protest the proposed expansion, but felt like her concerns were not being taken seriously, so she reached out to other elected officials, including U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, U.S. Congressman Billy Long and Missouri Representative Bishop Davidson, whom she said had all gotten back with her.
“We go to all the city council meetings at Republic’s Police Department every other Tuesday,” she said, and it seems to me that we go, we say our piece, (and the reaction is) like a pat on the back (and) ‘Get it off your chest.’ We’re getting nowhere, so that’s why I called my city, county and state representatives, all the way up to Josh Hawley’s office, (and) I have received phone calls back from all of them.”
During recent city council meetings, Republic Mayor Matt Russell and Public Works Director Andrew Nelson have offered to meet with the group of citizens outside of the official proceedings to discuss the matter further.
Outside of Republic city limits, Dudley said, obtaining the land where the trail is expected to be placed will fall to the county.
“Greene County will negotiate the acquisition of the right of way outside city limits, with the funding provided through the federal grant and local match,” she said. “The city and county will work together to install plans for maintenance and upkeep for this portion of the trail.”
More information on the project can be found online at www.republicmo.com/713/Shuyler-Creek-Trail-Expansion.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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