Independence County is teaming with the city of Batesville to complete a portion of the city’s biking and walking trail. County Judge Robert Griffin made the announcement in a media release on Thursday.
“This project is a cooperative one between Independence County, the city of Batesville and the Poke Bayou Foundation,” said Griffin. “I picked a team of Dr. Sam Cooke, Councilmember Pete Musgrave, City Engineer Damon Johnson, and Parks Director Jeff Owens, to help me with creating the concept of linking a walking and biking trail from White Drive running along the Bayou to intersect with St. Louis Street near the White River. The history of the bayou is the beginning of our community here.”
Griffin says the city master plan has a pathway from the White Drive site to the Golden Overpass in Batesville. This project will extend that to continue along the bayou and White River, according to the release.
“The county will be applying for a large grant to make this a reality,” the judge said. “I have been given three historic bridges from the state to make this a real possibility. The single greatest expense would be crossing the bayou with a structure. This becomes a win/win for all by combining the programs of donated bridges and highway non-motorized trail program along with in-kind work to minimize local dollars needed.”
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