Crepe Myrtle Trail Awarded – National Park Service Grant

Grant to Mobile United will create a strategic plan for the implementation of the Crepe Myrtle Trail (CMT) in Mobile

Mobile, Ala. – Mobile United is pleased to announce that they are the recipient of a two-year planning and assistance grant through the National Park Service’s Rails, Trail and Conservation Assistance Program. The grant will jump start planning and implementation of the Crepe Myrtle Trail.

Awarded through the National Park Service’s Rails, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, the grant will provide staff assistance to engage stakeholders, plan the trails routes, create funding plans, and identify groups, individuals, business, local government officials, and nonprofits that will spearhead the project.

“The momentum and support behind the creation of a permanent Crepe Myrtle Trail is higher than it has ever been,” said Mobile United Executive Director Katherine Pitman.

“More than a dozen organizations and 150 people participated in the inaugural Crepe Myrtle Trail Ride in June of this year and we’re thrilled to be able to continue our work on this great project for Mobile. Mobile United is grateful for the assistance from the RTCA program to undertake this critical first step in engaging all stakeholders in this planning process,” Pitman said.

Proposed Crepe Myrtle Trail Route

What started as an idea in the 1990’s, the Crepe Myrtle Trail arose as a solution to the lack of waterfront access in a waterfront City that aims to stretch a minimum of 14 miles worth of dedicated paths and shared lanes. The route begins at Three Mile Creek, runs through Downtown Mobile, hugs Mobile River, traverses the Peninsula of Mobile neighborhood and the beautiful shores of Mobile Bay and ends at the Dog River, while connecting at least seven existing parks, and other natural areas that have access and recreational opportunities. The trail will be a multi-use path that will be used by pedestrians and cyclists, tourists and locals, young and old, and people from all socio-economic backgrounds.

The grant carries no financial award, but provides two years of project planning assistance. The goals of this phase of the project are to develop a Strategic Plan for the official creation of the CMT, to confirm or identify the most reasonable trail route and/or alternatives, and to create a conceptual design of the portions of the trail that pose the biggest challenges. The trail length will ultimately be decided by the community and other stakeholders, as the process of planning continues. Currently, the proposed route of the trail is approximately 14 miles. Opportunities exist for loop trails and extensions that will be useful for exercise outings, races, or other activities such as geo-caching, bird watching and sightseeing that could increase the size the trail complex to 25 or 30 miles.

Mobile United’s mission is to develop, support and encourage a comprehensive network of trained and engaged leadership that is inclusive and adaptable to community needs, taking action on programs and projects that lead to a better quality of life for our citizens.

For more information or additional inquiries, please contact Katherine Pitman for additional inquiries 251.432.1638 or at kpitman@mobileunited.org. More information about Mobile United can be found online at: www.mobileunited.org or on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/mobileunited1.