JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Join Missouri State Parks team members at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park as they cut the ribbon to the new Ted and Pat Jones biking and walking trail.
Funded by a gift from the trust of Pat Jones, the trustees of her estate – retired partners Dan Burkhardt, Bill Broderick and Larry Sobol – have worked with Missouri State Parks since Pat’s passing in 2018 to create the first-ever trailhead area and bike path at the state park. This new bike path, constructed on the levee along the Mississippi River, is located at the park Pat helped dedicate 20 years ago.
Guests will be able to tour the new trail at the park, located at 1000 Riverlands Way in West Alton, Missouri. The new half-mile trail offers visitors a 1-mile panoramic view of the park and the Mississippi River.
Pat and Ted Jones were both nature and park enthusiasts who wanted to share what Missouri had to offer to all its citizens. They were key supporters of the Katy Trail and actively supported other state parks and conservation programs and their initiatives.
In honor of all the Jones’ work and contributions, Missouri State Parks named this park after them. Years after their deaths, Ted and Pat are still making sure the parks they loved are cared for. Since they had no children, they often said they “adopted” the state of Missouri. With gifts of money and land, they provided a legacy that becomes more significant as time passes.
Pat Jones’ motto throughout her life was, “Learn, get dirty and have fun.” Missouri State Parks takes this to heart and is grateful for all the work the Joneses did for Missourians.
“The Jones’ legacy continues to live on through their contributions to Missouri State Parks,” said Missouri State Parks Director David Kelly. “Pat actively supported other state parks and conservation programs and their initiatives, and we appreciate all they have done.”
For more information on Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.