In honor of OzarkGreenways’ Bike, Walk & Wheel Week, our Trail Tuesday Parks Pick-Me-Up highlights the James River Greenway and Trail of Honor, in southeast Springfield.

Currently there are three one-mile segments of the James River Greenway. One segment connects to the Galloway Creek Greenway at the Old Iron Bridge north to the end of the former frontage road (Gasconade Avenue) that crosses over Highway 65. The second segment of the trail is in Lake Springfield Park, from the park entrance to the boathouse on the lake shore. The third segment is the Trail of Honor, meandering along the banks of James River and the edge of the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. It’s the first recreation trail built in a veterans cemetery in the US, and we invite you to travel through this landscape with respectful reflection of our veterans.

Future trail plans will connect these three segments and extend northward along the James River. A future bridge across Lake Springfield is planned to join the trail sections on the south and north sides of Lake Springfield. This trail will also connect to the Chadwick Flyer Rail Trail, planned between Springfield and Ozark. The timeline for extending and connecting these trails are contingent upon funding, estimated at $8 million, and land acquisition.