Construction on a 6.65-mile Dirt 66 bicycle, trail running and walking trail will begin Monday at Fellows Lake just north of Springfield, Missouri.
It’s the first phase in a 33-mile, $1.8 million trail expansion in the area, reported the Springfield News-Leader.
The “Dirt 66” mountain bike/walking trail project is being funded by Springfield-based TrailSpring, Inc., a nonprofit that has been working to expand biking opportunities in the Springfield area.
“The Dirt 66 Trail System is designed to accommodate entry-level beginners, primarily moderate, and a few advanced trails,” said Jessica Pearson, executive director of TrailSpring. “The Dirt 66 Trails are going to change the dynamic for the region by improving quality of life and creating new economic activity.” […]
Dirt 66, drawing inspiration from nearby Historic Route 66, will be the largest network of professionally built mountain biking trails in Missouri when it eventually is built out to 70 miles, according to TrailSpring.
Ozark Greenways is overseeing the project that will take about four months to complete.
A more detailed plan of the trail is below:
Fellows Lake is about a 15-minute drive north of the closest alignment of Route 66 in Springfield.
(Image of a mountain biker in Missouri by _eWalter_ via Flickr)