A highly anticipated link in the Jefferson City Greenway System is within 750 feet of completion.
Known as the Frog Hollow Greenway Trail Extension, heavy construction is occurring at the job site near the West Edgewood Drive parking lot now, with the project 85-90 percent complete, estimated J.J. Gates, director of the Park Resources and Forestry division of the Parks Department.
He said the new loop is near future Jefferson City storm sewer work and quite possibly the location of the new high school being proposed by Jefferson City Public Schools.
Although the commissioners receive updates on Frog Hollow and other capital improvements from him each month, Gates had an extensive list of advances this week. Those included landing the Missouri Department of Transportation right-of-way permit, executing the trail lease agreement, completing installation of the block retaining wall, accepting change orders on trail realignment, finalizing construction and installation of the low-water crossing and bridge, connecting the trail from the existing greenway to the new bridge, and clearing rough grading.
Gates said he was preaching patience in regard to a date for completion of the Frog Hollow project.
"I know this is going to be a popular area, probably the most used section in the whole system, and the public is anxious for it to be open," he said, "but I just want everyone to be patient as we get into the final two phases."
One of last two elements hinges on decisions by Leon and Carol Beck on allowing Parks access to land they own in the area. Gates said the couple had been invaluable to the progress of the project to date and had demonstrated both community leadership and unselfishness in participating in the Frog Hollow trail.