Phase I of walking trail taking shape

Howrey Construction crews do preliminary earthwork on Phase I of the McCook Community Trail. They hope to be done within the next two weeks, if the weather cooperates. (Tor Olson/Courtesy Photo)

After four and half years, the Kelley Creek Walking Trail is beginning to take shape.

Construction contractors have begun work on the Phase I section of the trail, from the lower shelter house at Kelley Park to East H, and estimated they will be done sometime the first week of September, weather permitting.

For Tor Olson, who with Becky Kilpatrick spearheaded the idea of a walking trail, it was exciting to finally see the materialization of the vision he had years ago.

"We can finally see this moving forward," he said. "It will be exciting to see people on it, to see what kind of demand it has."

Phase I of the trail will offer a full body-workout, with 12 pieces of exercise equipment stationed along the way. The equipment is being sponsored with a $5,000 grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nebraska, along with private and corporate sponsorships.

Seven pieces have already been sponsored; Olson hopes the remaining five pieces will be underwritten by the end of August.

A sponsorship sign will be included next to each piece and Olson's goal is to have all the equipment installed by Heritage Days, the end of September.

The gym equipment, that targets specific body movements, will make the trail more interactive and attractive for everyone in the community, he said.

"Not everyone can afford health club memberships," Olson said, with the outdoor pieces similar to indoor body-conditioning equipment.

Equipment pieces still open for sponsorship are a weight lift ($500); waist stretcher ($450); uneven bars ($675); sit-up bench ($425) and a sit-up board ($475).

Pieces that have already been sponsored include the self-weighted rower, McCook National Bank; back extension, Janssen Kool Honda; leg press, Community Hospital; push-up stand, Mike Pochop; two-sided rotator, McCook Rotary; strength and stretch bars, AmFirst Bank; and floating balancing system, Deveny Motors.

Olson believes the trail will be much like the disc golf course that was installed in Kelley park two years ago: in the beginning there were some naysayers, but public participation proved it a success.

The walking trail is being funded by Nebraska Department of Roads Beautification grants, along with matching grants from organizations and individuals.

The trail ultimately will wind in and around the city for 13.2 miles, with Phase II from the lower shelter house at Kelley Park to Norris Avenue.