GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY AND THE CITY OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS TO CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF FIRST PHASE OF MCKELVEY WOODS TRAIL

The Great Rivers Greenway District and the City of Maryland Heights have teamed up for a ribbon cutting and fun walk to celebrate the opening of the first phase of the McKelvey Woods Trail. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5th, with a ribbon-cutting, followed by the Waggin’ Tails on the Trail 3K Fun Walk. The event will start at the trailhead located near the entrance of Aquaport at 2344 McKelvey Road in Maryland Heights.

Phase I of the new trail is one mile in length and provides a safe, off-street trail connection from Aquaport to McKelvey Woods Park. Phase II—slated for construction in 2015—will extend the trail two additional miles from McKelvey Woods Park to Creve Coeur Park near Marine Avenue.

“Thanks to our partnership with the City of Maryland Heights, we are working together to create a three-mile, off-street trail connection that offers the residents of the region a safe alternative for walking, biking and running—all the way from Aquaport to Creve Coeur Park,” says Great Rivers Greenway Project Manager Mark Vogl. “The completion of Phase I of this vital connection is an exciting milestone worth celebrating.”

In addition to the ribbon cutting and fun walk, the event will include vendors, contests and refreshments for sale. Dogport—the City of Maryland Heights’ community dog park—will be open to participants at no additional charge.

“The walk is an opportunity for people to come check out the new trail, meet their neighbors and enjoy the spring weather,” says Mary Vaughan, Director of Parks and Recreation for Maryland Heights. “The walk is right around two miles, so it’s great for the entire family.”

The City of Maryland Heights is coordinating registration for the Fun Walk. The registration fee for one dog and one human is $15 and includes a t-shirt and bandana. Without a dog, the registration fee is $12. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Dog owners must present dogs’ current rabies vaccination records at registration or have a current Dogport membership. There is a limit of two dogs per handler.

For more information about the Fun Walk, contact Meghan Moore at the City of Maryland Heights at (314) 738-2599. For more information about the McKelvey Woods Trail, please contact Great Rivers Greenway at 314.436.7009 or visit www.greatriversgreenway.org.

About Great Rivers Greenway

The Great Rivers Greenway District was created by a vote of the people in 2000 with the goal of making the St. Louis region a better place to live. The public organization is carrying out this goal by creating community connections with the River Ring, an interconnected system of trails and greenways. The District also works to provide transportation alternatives, preserve nature, improve health and increase the economic vitality of the region. Great Rivers Greenway’s district includes St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County. For more information, visit www.greatriversgreenway.org.