Columbia Parks and Recreation
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Trail - 4.25 miles, (2 miles - City portion, 2.25 miles MU portion), limestone
Map of Hinkson Creek Trail/MU Rec Trail
(Maintenance concerns for this section of the trail should be directed to MU Recreation Services Facilities Operations @ 573-884-0765.)
The Hinkson Creek Trail project is the result of a unique partnership between the City of Columbia and the University of Missouri. The trail connects Grindstone Park to the MKT Trail near Chapel Hill Road. The City of Columbia's portion of the trail is 2.0 miles, beginning at Grindstone Nature Area, thru Capen Park, and connecting to the Hinkson Creek Recreation Area on the University of Missouri Campus. The University of Missouri's portion of the trail is 2.25 miles, extending from the City's portion of the Hinkson Creek Trail to the MKT Trail at the 2 mile marker.
This section of the trail was Phase I of the project administered by the City of Columbia. It is about one mile of 10-foot wide aggregate surfaced trail connecting the Grindstone Nature Area parking lot to Capen Park. This section of trail runs through the nature area and includes two bridges that are designed to rust and mimic the old railroad bridges along the Missouri River. Construction was completed by a private contractor and the trail was dedicated May 6, 2000. See Hinkson Creek Trail Dedication Ceremony.
This section was Phase II of the project administered by the City of Columbia and constructed by a private contractor. This mile long section connects to the MU Recreation Trail at the Hinkson Creek Recreation Area.
Work on this phase was completed by the University of Missouri. This portion of the trail connects the Hinkson Recreation Area to the City's MKT Trail near the two-mile marker, between Forum Blvd. and Stadium Blvd. The trail takes visitors under Providence Rd., by Reactor Field, and past the University agricultural research fields. The university calls its portion of the trail the MU Recreation Trail. The distance from Hinkson Creek to the MKT Trail is 2.25 miles on the university portion of the trail, making the trek from Grindstone Nature Area to the MKT Trail a total distance of 4.25 miles.
The university owns .6 miles of the trail extending west of the bridge over the Hinkson Creek running through the Hinkson Creek Recreation Area. This portion of the trail connects to a 3.03-mile trail at Providence Pl. The 3.03 mile portion of the MU Recreation Trail extends from the Student Recreation Center to the MKT Nature/Fitness Trail.
Main Access Points:
There are restrooms and drinking fountains available at Stankowski Field, Epple Field, and Hinkson Creek Recreation Area. (These facilities are usually closed November through March.)
Maintenance concerns for this section of the trail should be referred to MU Recreation Services Facilities Operations @ 573-884-0765.
The Greenbriar Connector is a .5 mile concrete trail that connects to the MU Recreation Trail/Hinkson Creek Trail near Epple Field, which connects to the MKT Trail to the west. This scenic trail links 1,500 neighborhood residences near Green Meadows Rd. to Columbia's trail system, the University of Missouri, and downtown retail locations. The Greenbriar Connector also provides opportunities for non-motorized transportation options to students attending Rock Bridge High School. (Location of the Greenbriar Connector is item "B" on the Hinkson Creek Trail Map.)
Design engineers navigated the steep slopes with a switchback route utilizing retaining walls and estate fencing through this lovely wooded area. Travel is downhill from the Green Meadows residential area to the MU Recreation Trail. A bench for resting and a bulbout lookout area is provided those traveling back uphill as they approach the bridge that crosses Hinkson Creek to the residential neighborhood off of Greenbriar Drive.
This trail development project cost $792,000. It was administered by GetAbout Columbia, with funding provided by the Federal Highway's Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program. After its completion, it was incorporated into the City's trail system under the management of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Mizzou Rec Trail - University of Missouri Website
Map of Hinkson Creek Trail/MU Recreation Trail
| Capital Improvement Projects |
|
|---|---|
| Year Completed | Project Description |
| 2012 - Phase I | Hinkson Creek Trail - (Grindstone to Stephens (Phase I & II) |
| Project Not Approved by Council - Funds Reallocated | Hinkson Creek Trail - Phase III - Rockhill Connector |
| 2013 | GetAbout Columbia Project: Greenbriar Trail Connector |
| Hinkson/Capen Bridge Improvements | |
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