Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails

Recreational District

"Longleaf Trace"

A joint venture of the counties of Forrest, Jefferson Davis, and Lamar and the municipalities of Bassfield, Hattiesburg, Prentiss, and Sumrall for the purpose of creating economic benefits while providing multiple recreational opportunities and an improved quality of life for its citizens.

Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District

This report was prepared by Herlon Pierce, Executive Director/Trail Manager for the District and Trace with the assistance of Kellie Sigrest, Administrative Assistant. Mr. Pierce’s employment with the District did not begin until late in the year 2000, therefore, the activities prior to the year 2000 have been taken from available documents from that period and from conversations and discussions with those who were involved or had knowledge of those activities. It is not my intent to leave anyone or any event of importance out of this document, nor is it my intent to incorrectly report the order of events or to incorrectly give or take away credit from anyone. For that reason, should you as the reader of this document find inaccuracies, please notify Mr. Pierce so that the record and history of this important venture be made accurate.

· 1993 Lynn Cartlidge, President, Forrest County Board of Supervisors, receives notice of Canadian National Railroad’s intentions to abandon the Illinois Central Railroad previously known as the Mississippi Central Railroad from Varnado Switch (west Hattiesburg) to Bassfield, a distance of approximately 28 miles;

· Mr. Cartlidge calls on local county and municipal leaders to join their efforts to stop abandonment and/or to find a viable alternative use for the soon to be abandoned rail line;

· The joint effort led by Attorneys Stone D. Barefield, Sr. and Bobby J. Garraway to cancel the abandonment fails;

· During the abandonment, the possibility of converting the right-of-way into a multi-purpose recreational trail known as a rails-to-trails conversion is discovered with possible assistance through "Interstate Transportation Enhancement Act", grant funds set aside for innovative transportation project construction;

· The assistance of the Department of Interior and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is gained for advice and technical assistance with public awareness, education, hearings, and organization;

· Bassfield Mayor Buford Blount along with Attorney Bobby J. Garraway, working with Canadian National, successfully extend the abandonment intent from Bassfield, west to Prentiss ( an additional distance of approximately 11 miles);

· A team of local biking/hiking enthusiasts, led by James Moore, along with Elmer Beardshall, Ed Crockett and the late Jerry Ryan, assist with public support, awareness, and education and solicit corporate pledges of more than $100,000 including the Georgia Pacific Corporation as founding adopter with a pledge of $50,000 and W.R. Fairchild Construction, Mississippi Power, Warren Paving, and Tatum Development Corporation with pledges of $10,000 to $20,000;

· Legislation is drafted by Attorney Stone D. Barefield, Sr. and submitted to the Mississippi State Legislature for the purpose of authorizing the creation, powers, and funding for recreational districts in the State of Mississippi;

· 1994 With a demonstration of overwhelming public support, the Mississippi State Legislature passes an act creating the authority for the creation of recreational districts, including a state appropriation of $150,000 to the District for the purchase of the soon to be abandoned rights-or-way;

· Governor Kirk Fordice signs into law 55-25-1 et sec , but vetoes the $150,000 for the rights-of-way purchase;

· By joint resolution the counties of Forrest, Jefferson Davis, and Lamar and the municipalities of Bassfield, Hattiesburg, Prentiss, and Sumrall create a recreational district known as the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District;

· The District’s first Board of Directors (BOD) is appointed by member counties and municipalities, and Stone D. Barefield. Sr. is hired has the attorney for the Board;

· With no funds available, and the veto of funds by Governor Fordice, the newly created district is notified that the deadline for the right-of-way purchase is expiring;

· 1995 The long-term efforts and dreams of a multi-purpose recreational trail seem to be lost as the source of funds for the rights-of-way purchase are no longer available which would cause the numerous challenges and a dream of many to vanish;

· Attorney Bobby Garraway has an unexpected and chance encounter with longtime friend of South Mississippi, former State Legislator, then Southern Highway Commissioner, and avid outdoorsman and biking enthusiast Ronnie Shows, who offers as a last resort to attempt the right-of-way purchase through the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT);

· The District is notified that Commissioner Ronnie Shows has successfully convinced his fellow highway commissioners to purchase the rights-of-way and lease it to the District for the development of the planned multi-purpose recreational trail;

· 1996 Architects/Engineers are hired to developed a master plan for multi-purpose development, to prepare preliminary construction plans, and a grant request for development of Phase I, west Hattiesburg to Prentiss;

· The master plan and an Interstate Transportation Enhancement Act grant is approved;

· Design is complete to include a 10 foot asphalt surfaced trail, a distance of 39+/- miles to include repair and conversion of 5 trestles, trailhead parking at Jackson Road, Epley, Sumrall, Lott Circle, Bassfield, Carson, and Prentiss, and restroom stations at Jackson Road and Epley. A minimum equestrian trail (horseback riding only) is included from Epley to Carson, a distance of 22 ½ miles.

· 1999 A construction contract is awarded and construction begins;

· Pledges including mile markers and bridge adoptions totaling over $160,000 are collected;

· Construction is completed in August 2000 at a total cost of $2,816,816;

· The District’s Board of Directors names the newly constructed trail the "Longleaf Trace" and adopts an official logo;

· The District’s BOD develops and approves rules and regulations for the operation of the Longleaf Trace including the use of golf carts;

· Herlon Pierce is hired as the District’s first Trail Manager in charge of daily operations, maintenance, and security;

· Elmer Beardshall volunteers to develop a web-site for the Longleaf Trace;

· 2000 A dedication ceremony was held on September 1, 2000, in the Town of Bassfield, hosted by the "District" with the assistance of MDOT. Board President Bobby J. Garraway presided over the dedication. Guest speaker was The Honorable Ronnie Shows, United States Congressman Fourth Congressional District, with approximately 200 people in attendance;

· Roland Byrd hired as Manager of Maintenance operations (part-time permanent);

· Maintenance operations begin with a leased 1953 Ford tractor with cycle blade, a snapper mower, an improvised mounted blower to keep the riding surface clean, and a used 1995 pick-up truck;

· The first annual Birthday Challenge is hosted in early November by the Prentiss Lions Club and becomes a major annual fall event on the Trace;

· The Georgia Pacific Corporation donates 2+ acres near the Carson Station that is converted into a group primitive camping area, and equestrian staging area. A group pavilion, picnic tables, and cooking grills are provided;

· 2001 Canadian National Railroad offers an additional rights-of-way abandonment from west Hattiesburg east to near its intersection with US Hwy 49, a distance of approximately 2 miles;

· By cooperative agreement, MDOT and the District purchase the rights-of-way for $150,000 on a 50/50 cost basis;

· An organization, "Friends of the Longleaf Trace", is created for the purpose of recommending user friendly suggestions and ideas to the BOD, with beginning membership of near 100 supporting users;

· 2002 Architects/Engineers are employed for the design of Phase II and procurement of grant funds through the US Department of Transportation (Interstate Transportation Enhancement Funds), administered by MDOT is approved;

· Design is complete, construction contract is awarded for the construction of the additional 2 miles, an overpass enclosure over I59, a tunnel underneath West 7^th Street, Gateway/Sales/Administration building at its eastern terminus, a Gateway facility in Prentiss, and restroom stations at Southern Miss, Sumrall, Bassfield, and Carson;

· Through sponsors, James Moore and District employees construct 8 overlook nature/rest stops along the Trace;

· Phase II construction is complete at a total cost of $2,408,183;

· September 12, 2003 a dedication ceremony is held at the newly constructed Gateway-Hattiesburg with Board President Lynn Cartlidge presiding. Guest speaker was University of Southern Mississippi’s Vice President of Student Affairs Joe Paul with approximately 100 people in attendance;

· Trail Manager Herlon Pierce’s duties are increased to include that of Executive Director;

· Kellie Sigrest is hired as the District’s first administrative employee as Administrative Assistant (part-time permanent) to the BOD for the purpose of preparing and maintaining board minutes, financial records, and other administrative duties;

· The Gateway-Hattiesburg is equipped to house the administrative and board activities of the District, as well as logo item sales and bike rental. The University of Southern Mississippi is contracted to oversee the operations of the Gateway-Hattiesburg to include public relations and marketing for the District, Bill Powe is hired as the University’s Gateway Manager;

· Moore’s Bike Shop, by contract, opens the Gateway Bike Shop to include bike accessories/rental/sales and logo sales;

· On October 22, 2003, Mr. Jerry Ryan, a member of the early and successful public support group and avid biker, looses his life in a biking accident on a Hattiesburg city street. The Longleaf Trace is chosen by the family for memorial donations and approximately $12,000 is donated;

· "Leaders of a New Century" Class of 2004 chooses as their project to light the Longleaf Trace Gateway-Hattiesburg to 7^th Street Tunnel through donations and sponsorships.

· The District procures its first major maintenance equipment, a New Holland TS 100 tractor with boom mower, side hog, ditch machine and bushhog, through a lease purchase agreement;

· 2004 Moore’s Bike Shop withdraws from its operation of the bike shop and the University agrees to modify its operation to include bike rental and logo sales;

· It has become obvious through users that the beaver pond located at mile post 13, being a natural ecological site with exceptional natural outdoor beauty, has become a principle focal point along the Trace;

· The District purchases the old beaver pond and surrounding land (23.27 acres) from Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. for $11,500.00 for future impoundment and shoreline recreational development;

· Use has increased from the beginning of operation to approximately 25,000 uses annually, with approximately 3,000 uses from outside the area, and approximately 500 uses from out of state;

· August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina visits Mississippi and the Longleaf Trace leaving unparalleled destruction and damage to the state and closing the Trace with more than 10,000 trees across its path;

· November 2005, the Trace is reopened at a cost of approximately $813,000 for debris clean-up which was paid for with federal and state emergency funds;

· A campaign to reenergize users of the Trace is launched as use is reduced to early beginnings;

· A 20’X30’ pavilion is constructed by District forces at Gateway Prentiss, with the Prentiss Lions Club (Run for the Roses) providing a $10,000 sponsorship, for the purpose of staging events, group uses, and family activities;

· A U.S. Appropriation request for $400,000 is made to our U.S. congressional delegation to improve the minimally constructed equestrian trail as a result of continuing concern by equestrian users;

· 2006 The Canadian National Railroad offers additional right-of-way from Gateway Hattiesburg to Bouie Street in Downtown Hattiesburg, a distance of approximately 2 miles;

· Mayor Johnny Dupree secures a $640,000 federal appropriation through the U.S. Congress for the design and construction of Phase III of the Trace from Gateway Hattiesburg to Downtown Hattiesburg.

· "MDOT" purchases the additional right-of-way for approximately $300,000 with inter-local agreement that the District will share the cost on a 50/50 basis;

· Equestrian users express their continuing concern that the original minimal equestrian trail is inadequate for wagon traffic and proper maintenance due to poor alignment and width;

· A group of equestrian enthusiasts, led by Greg Lowery, Director John Kerley, and Director Dale Lucus, create a "Trail Riders Friends" organization to encourage and assist the District with needed improvements to the equestrian trail. Charter members total approximately 50;

· With the leadership of Mayor Buford Blount of Bassfield, the Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors request grant assistance from "MDOT" for construction of 2+ mile trail inter-connection from the Trace to Jeff Davis Lake;

· Former U.S. Congressman Ronnie Shows solicits the assistance of Denbury Resources, Inc. for assistance with the impoundment of the Beaver Pond;

· Denbury offers a $10,000 challenge donation which was earned by matching local donations. Total donations equaled $30,000;

· A dedication ceremony is held honoring donors and to officially name the beaver pond the "Denbury Beaver Pond";

· At the request of "Longleaf Trace Trail Riders", funds are budgeted to improve the first 4 miles of the equestrian trail, Epley to Sumrall, to accommodate wagon traffic and to create a maintainable trail;

· A second and updated request for U.S. appropriation assistance for improvement to the equestrian trail through U.S. Congressional delegation is made;

· Lighting is installed from Gateway-Hattiesburg to 200’ west of the 7^th St. Tunnel through the efforts of "Leaders of a New Century" ,Class of 2004, with donations and sponsorships of approximately $27,000 and grant funds of approximately $9,000. The City of Hattiesburg agrees to pay the monthly operating fees;

· 2007 The 4 mile improvement to the equestrian trail is completed by District employees, with the assistance of the newly created "Longleaf Trace Trail Riders", along with both donated and rented dozers and backhoes and donated and purchased materials at a cost of approximately $40,000+/-, including the employees salaries;

· Architects/Engineers are employed to design the 2+/- miles addition from Gateway Hattiesburg to Downtown Hattiesburg;

· Architects/Engineers are employed to design the Jerry Ryan Memorial Outdoor Center at Gateway Hattiesburg in honor of the late Jerry Ryan;

· An additional 7+/- mile improvement to the equestrian trail, Sumrall to Lott Circle is budgeted;

· A Caterpillar D5G Dozer and Caterpillar Backhoe Loader are procured by lease purchase with buy-back option for constructing the equestrian trail improvements and future improvements at the Denbury Beaver Pond, and etc;

· 2008 The Jerry Ryan Memorial Outdoor Center was completed at an approximate cost of $225,700.00, with memorial donations of approximately $12,000, family donations of approximately $34,000, Frank McWhorter donations of approximately $6,000, Regions Bank donations of $6,000, "Friends of the Trace donations of approximately $5,500, a Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries grant of $95,206, other donations of $5,000 and district funds of approximately $62,000. The Center consists of a 30’X40’ open pavilion, 250’ of seat walls, an exercise warm-up area, and a children’s play area. The center is a central meeting point for user groups and is often reserved for group meeting and /or events on the Trace;

· Roland Byrd agrees to serve as the District’s full-time maintenance manager;

· The Jefferson Davis County Economic Development Authority applies for grant assistance to construct a farmer’s market to include a Gateway Prentiss Sales/Welcome Center;

· An updated request for federal assistance in the amount of $400,000 to continue improvements to the equestrian trail to include a 1 ½ mile extension from Epley east to the Denbury Beaver Pond to include a horse corral, overnight camping, and a riding trail around the pond is made through Senator Roger Wicker’s office;

· The additional 7+/- mile addition to the equestrian trail is completed by District employees at a cost $84,661.00, and is opened to public use with an inaugural ride on November 8, 2008;

· An additional 4 to 6 mile improvement to the equestrian trail is budgeted from Lott Circle west toward Bassfield;

· Design of the trail extension to Downtown Hattiesburg is near complete and design comments are requested;

· Through sponsors, the District forces have from 2003 constructed an additional 8 overlook/nature/rest stops along the Trace, with a total of 16 now available;

· Trail use has now reached an estimated 50,000 uses annually with estimated out-of-area uses of 5,000 and out-of state uses of 1,000;

· "Friends of the Longleaf Trace" continue to make major contributions through recommendations to the BOD, membership is now approximately 200;

· "Longleaf Trace Trail Riders" continue to provide valuable assistance as the trail is extended further, membership is now approximately 75;

· Continue an aggressive maintenance program to assure the Longleaf Trace continues as one of our nations finest trails;

· Complete Phase III to Downtown Hattiesburg;

· Continue pursuit of federal assistance for equestrian trail improvements;

· Continue to work with the "Longleaf Trace Trail Riders" to make improvements to the existing equestrian trail;

· Design and construct an impoundment structure for the Denbury Beaver Pond to permanently impound 10-15 acres of water;

· Extend the existing equestrian trail east from Epley to the Denbury Beaver Pond to include construction of a horse corral, overnight camping, and horseback riding trails around the pond;

· Assist the Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors as needed with the proposed Jeff Davis Lake inter-connection;

· Assist the Jefferson Davis Economic Development Authority as needed with the proposed farmer’s market and welcome center;

· Seek federal and grant assistance to develop the shoreline recreational facilities around the Denbury Beaver Pond to include an amphitheater (as an outdoor classroom for eco-nature teaching our youth), family day use/picnic areas, overnight camping (primitive and class A), and the possibility of future overnight cabins;

· Identify, prioritize, and construct loops of interest (overnight facilities, historical, ecological sites, and etc.);

· Continue to work with "Friends of the Longleaf Trace" to provide quality, user friendly improvements to the Trace facilities;

· Continue to solicit user and public ideas for the further improvement of existing facilities and further developments;

· You, as county and city leaders and as advocates of the Longleaf Trace, are requested to share your suggestions and ideas with the District’s "BOD" to improve the present and to assure the future of the Longleaf Trace as it continues its status as one of our nation’s finest trails.