Category: Missouri local

Independence
George Owens Nature Park  “provides 86 acres of beautiful forest, lakes, hiking trails and wildlife.”  Park naturalist Melanie suggested the following:
     The Butterfly Trail:  This trail is asphalt, ¼ mile long and fairly level although there are some gentle inclines.  The trail joins a paved road that leads to two fishing ponds.
Fishing Ponds:  The road and most areas surrounding the ponds are flat and fairly accessible, depending on the degree of disability.  There is also a wheelchair-accessible dock on one of the ponds. While we limit traffic in the park, we allow vehicles with handicap plates or mirror hangers to drive to the ponds and park nearby.
The Nature Center.  The building is accessible along with restrooms and a water fountain; and there are dedicated parking spots in the lot.

Salem
Salem Frisco RR Trail  “Starting at 3rd and Grand Avenue in Salem, the trail is an 8 foot wide asphalt path traveling north for 4,000 feet along the Old Burlington Northern Railroad bed. It ends at the old timber trestle over Spring Creek near the MFA Bulk Plant just off Hwy 19 on the north edge of Salem.”  As described by Libby of the Bonebrake Conservation Nature Center: it is “a converted railroad bed about 3/4 mi. long.  It starts at the edge of town and goes past some pasture and woods (and also the sewer treatment plant, but not stinky!).  Very flat, essentially chip and seal finish.  Very good for wheelchairs and walkers.”

Dent County
Tiger Trail is “behind the Upper Elementary School on Doss Road.  It has a nice surface, wide trails that meander through the brush, trees, and [have] a few steep inclines but generally mild rises and dips, nice chat/gravel for walking and wheelchairs that are sturdy.  Lots of cut offs and loops and can be very short or up to nearly 2 miles if you take the long way.” Contributed by Libby of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History.