Longleaf Trace Bike Trail - A History (Part 3)

By Herlon Pierce

From an Abandoned Railroad Line to a National Recreation Trail

Editor's Note: This is the third segment in a 3 part series on the history and development of the trail.

Since the trail's beginning, in addition to the extension to the University of Southern Mississippi, the district has added sixteen rest/rain nature stops along the length of the trail. A group primitive camping area, that includes a family/group picnic pavilion is now available adjacent to the trail in the community of Carson. An old beaver pond and the properties adjacent thereto, have been purchased for the eventual conversion to a recreational/educational center.

The old beaver pond was recently named the Denbury Beaver Pond in recognition of the financial support provided by Denbury Resources Inc, and their challenge to other corporate/business interests that has raised more than $30,000 for its impoundment and development. The center will include family picnic areas, camping, a horse corral, and most importantly, and outdoor classroom amphitheater type facility to be used for outdoor and nature educational programs in connection with the local schools and youth clubs.

The Leaders of a New Century, Class of 2004, through their efforts, created funding support for the lighting of the Longleaf Trace from the Gateway at Southern Miss, west to the 7th Street/38th Ave, tunnel, a distance of 3/4 of a mile. This lighted portion of the trail will provide for an extended time for local trail users who might otherwise not have the opportunity to use the trail.

Recent and continuing improvements to the 22.5 mile equestrian trail will allow the addition of horse-drawn wagons. The first improved section is four miles in length and runs between Epley and Sumrall.

It is the intent of the district to improve the entire existing 22/12 mile equestrian mile to accommodate horse-drawn wagons and eventually extend the equestrian trail from Epley, east to the Denbury Beaver Pond. The Jerry Ryan Outdoor Complex, which will be an addition to the Gateway facility, located adjacent to the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi, will provide a much needed group activity pavilion, an exercise warm-up area, and a small children's playground.

It is expected, after several delays, that the facility, which will be a memorial to Mr. Jerry Ryan, a local business owner, biking advocate, and untiring and original supporter of the Longleaf Trace, will be under construction during the next few months. This facility is made possible through memorial donations made by friends of Jerry, and a grant through the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

A group activity pavilion is planned for the Gateway at Prentiss and construction will be completed this year. This critically needed facility was made possible by a $10,000 donation from the Prentiss Lions Club, as a result of the untiring efforts of a few volunteers who promote two major annual events in the Town of Prentiss, the "Run for the Roses" and the "Birthday Challenge".

Loops of interest along the Longleaf Trace continue to be a discussion. These loops will be extensions into historic areas and other points of interest along the Longleaf Trace. The first loop of interest could be a loop interconnecting the Longleaf Trace and the Jeff Davis County Lake, near Prentiss, a loop of approximately 4 miles in length that will provide an additional destination point for out of area users as well as an additional recreational opportunity for the users of the Jeff Davis Lake.

The extension of the Longleaf Trace from its gateway at the University of Southern Mississippi to Bouie Street in downtown Hattiesburg is in the early design stages, as the right of way has now been purchased and environmental concerns are being addressed. It is expected this addition will include not only a biking/hiking/blading trail, but will provide an area for trolley buses for access to and from the University of Southern Mississippi and downtown Hattiesburg.

The Longleaf Trace is a work in progress and with the continued support of our many local individual/business/corporate sponsors, the trace will maintain its status as one of the best in the United States, and will continue to provide an improved quality of life for our local users and provide growing economic benefits to our communities.

Herlon Pierce is the Executive Director/Trail Manager of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District. Mr Pierce can be reached at (601) 450-BIKE (2453). For more information on the Longleaf Trace, visit LongLeafTrace.org.