Like a Phoenix - MKT bridge 12 replacement update 3-18-2010

#12 replacement has begun. This week the west bank end bent wall and first of two concrete piers have had their steel pilings driven to practical refusal, i.e. bedrock. The good weather has allowed access to the site from Tuesday till today and continuing into tomorrow. Houf Construction is working as fast as possible to beat this weekend's falling temperatures and snow.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-17-2010

Wet conditions have hampered progress on Bridge #12, but today, equipment was running. Even with a muddy slippery site Houf Construction is forging ahead, forming the abutment for the west bank end bent wall and preparing to drive the steel pilings. Allstate Consultants performed a verification of markings, this morning, due to a design change from sheet steel piling bents to longer lasting concrete end bents adjusted field measurements. Looking forward to the 60 degree weather to dry out working conditions.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update

Bridge #12 has officially been removed. Connection between the Forum Nature Area, Twin Lakes & MKT Scott Blvd to the Katy Trail will be unusable until the new bridge is installed. Please avoid work areas as Contractor will not expect pedestrian's or bikers in the work area and may not see you.

Bear Creek Trail Photo: Jan 19, 2010

This is a photo of the Bear Creek Trail just west of Garth Ave. Soft and muddy!

Hinkson Creek Trail Photo: Jan 19, 2010

Hinkson Creek trail is also fairly muddy with only a few portions of the trail in decent shape. Here's a photo of the trail coming upon the Hinkson Creek bridge.

January 19, 2010 Trail Conditions

It's finally starting to thaw from our recent cold spell and that means that the MKT, Hinkson and Bear Creek trails are at their muddiest mess. The trails are certainly usable, but count on getting your shoes partially covered in gray grime and if you're on a bike, make sure you have a windbreaker or jacket on that you don't mind having the traditional biker's tell-tale mud stripe up the back. In fact, you may want to consider a water repellent finishes (DWRs) for your favorite jacket. A DWR product, such as ReviveX makes cleaning that mud spray just a bit easier.

Here's a photo of MKT Trail near the Stadium Blvd parking lot. This shows the typical trail conditions found throughout the trail system.

Friend of Columbia's Parks Passes Away

There will be a memorial service today at Riechmann Pavilion to celebrate the life of Dr. Jim Whitley. The service is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. Complete obituary is posted at the Columbia Tribune and the Columbia Missourian.

Jim Whitley served on various parks and recreation committees most recently providing native plant expertise on the Flat Branch Park development and on the MKT Trail Vegetation Management Committee.

Park staff often utilized Jim for expertise on native plant selection and management, especially in terms of aquatic plants. Jim was a extremely valuable contributor regarding the aquatic plant selection and management at Stephens Lake Park. In addition to his noteworthy expertise, Jim often donated or provided at nominal cost hundreds of native shoreline and aquatic plants which were planted around the shore lines at Stephens Park, Auburn Hills, Louisville Park, Twin Lakes and many other Columbia park ponds, raingardens and waterways.

In 2006 Jim graciously agreed to assist with the fledgling volunteer program the Columbia Aquatic Restoration Project or CARP. The CARP program was design to help build community support and assistance in maintaining healthy, sustainable lakes and ponds in Columbia Parks and Jim served as mentor and educator to both park staff and volunteers.

Jim's legacy to the parks will always be seen in the bold purple blossom of the pickerel weed, lovely nodding white flowers of lizards tail and the rigid dark green of the square stem spike rush.