Rock Island Trail Progress
“Wildwood Bridge” Infrastructure set in Place

BY GREG WALTERS

The Rock Island Trail came one step closer to completion last week when the infrastructure of the Wildwood Bridge was set in place. The 300 foot long bridge crosses a deep ravine near the Wildwood Lakes in Raytown.

When completed, the trail will stretch 17.7 miles from the Truman Sports Complex, through Raytown, to eastern Lee’s Summit.

I have ridden and walked all the sections of the Rock Island Trail. This trail is a keeper. One you will want to re-visit frequently once it is completed (expected to be in April, 2021, weather permitting).

The Raytown portion of the trail is by far the most scenic. You can thank the topography of Raytown for the beauty that surrounds the trail. Devoid of the urban clutter of signs and fences, the trail is routed through corridors of older growth trees that hide the neighborhoods it passes through. 

In my opinion, the best starting point is at the western edge at the Truman Sports Complex near the Kansas City Chief’s football stadium. The trail rolls through wooded hills above the surrounding landscape. As you travel to the east, well placed bridges cross Blue Ridge Cutoff, some un-named ravines and take you along the old Rock Island Rail Line to 59th Street. At the 59th Street trail head the trail skirts Raytown Trafficway to the old wooden bridge on Raytown Road.

Once through the commercial strip the trail disappears back into the woods of the old rail line. A highlight of the trail is the bridges through the Wildwood Lake area that show off views that cannot be seen at ground level. (NOTE: The bridges are in place -- but still need a concrete surface before opening to the public)

The designers of the trail have done a good job of winding the route from Lee’s Summit to the Sports Complex by using wooded areas to screen out surrounding neighborhoods. The trails are 12 feet wide, made of concrete near trail heads and heavy traffic areas anticipated in Raytown and near the Sports Complex. Crushed gravel is used for longer sections. The wide width makes for easy passage of bicyclists, runners and walkers to share the trails safely. 

VALE TUNNEL

Another point of interest is the Vale Tunnel. The tunnel is 441 feet long. The tunnel was constructed for rail traffic by the Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1903/1904. It has been converted for bicycle and pedestrian walkers and is lit for safe passage.

For those who prefer level landscape to ride or walk, most of the trail through Lee’s Summit traverses straight from point to point with little elevation gain. This “flat” section of the trail starts at Noland Road going to the East through Lee’s Summit. This area is well screened by vegetation and passing through a very picturesque park.

The Rock Island Trail is a part of the Rock Island Corridor Project, a collaborative effort between Jackson County and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Jackson County has taken the lead on the development and management of the trail, while the KCATA is focused on planning for future transit and economic development opportunities along the 17.7-mile corridor.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

Paul's Rant . . . PART TWO

A couple of weeks back I wrote a story about tag lines created by the Board of Aldermen for use with the city logo. 

Apparently the story hit a nerve because the next week at a Board of Aldermen meeting the topic came up for a vote. Former Aldermen Steve Meyers who served on the committee, gave a rendition of how the committee came up with the three slogans. A number of members of the Board spoke on the subject as well. 

My research on the story uncovered the fact that one of the phrases for the new cutline (Crossroads Community) had been used by the Raytown Chamber of Commerce for a couple of years and then dropped from the logo. 

At the end of the discussion, Mayor McDonough, pulled a crumpled envelope out and held it up for the camera. It was an old Chamber of Commerce envelope. I guess his point was to show it had "Crossroads" printed on it.

Apparently the Mayor had planned to embarrass Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters. Problem was Greg did not participate in the discussion. So his display probably left a lot of people scratching their heads in what he was up to.

I asked Greg for his point of view on the Mayor's show and tell.

Greg said he figured the Mayor would try to make some point about the editorial. He was also aware the Board was unanimous in its support of the change, so he thought why cause a fuss about very little.

He also pointed out the Chamber has dropped the use of "Crossroads" from their website (as is shown in the photo above) and, also from the logo on their envelopes. He then showed me an envelope postmarked 4 JAN 2021 from the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce. Neither is it used in the letter outlining the 2021 Guiding Public Policy Principles Priorities and Details of the Raytown Chamber of Commerce.

The word "crossroads" is not on the envelope, the letter or the website.

More than likely, the Mayor had an old envelope.

For those who may have missed the editorial we published two weeks ago, I have re-posted it at the end of this story. Which I stand by as accurate.

Paul’s Rant! BY PAUL LIVIUS
REPRINTED FROM 17, 2021

In advertising it has been said “Less is More”. This means “over-selling” an idea can be detrimental to the message.

The supplemental language suggested for the city’s logo (shown on the right) is a text book example of how not to sell an idea. 

The three short lines of messaging is the issue.

To begin with, one all encompassing message will best convey an idea. Three messages serve only to chop the over-all message up into a confusing montage that is often counterproductive. Let’s consider the following three messages and what they really mean.

CROSSROADS COMMUNITY: When you read the word “Crossroads”, what comes to mind? If you answered the Crossroads Art District you have answered what most people will think of . . . an entertainment district bordered by Downtown Kansas City on the north and Crown Center on the south. It is home to the Kaufmann Center, tons of restaurants, performing arts venues and very popular First Friday events. 

The term crossroads is not new to the Raytown area. The Chamber Commerce once incorporated "crossroads" into their logo. It has since been removed. This use of “crossroads” is counter-productive. It directs attention away from Raytown. Not towards it. 

EMBRACING DIVERSITY is best defined as Virtue Signaling. Here are two definitions of virtue signaling. 

Google defines virtue signaling as the practice of publicly expressing opinions intended to demonstrate one's good character in order to make them self look politically correct. 

WIKIPEDIA defines virtue signaling as “a pejorative neologism for the conspicuous and disingenuous expression of moral values with the intent to enhance one's own image”. 

The point to all of this is that “embracing diversity” is something that should be self-evident. It is self-evident in the way you conduct your life, how you speak, and how you treat others. You do not need to wave a flag to show you embrace diversity. 

GROWING TOGETHER is, by far, the most effective message. It demonstrates that Raytown is a diverse community, working together to build a better future. It does so without pandering. It does so with a minimum of words. It is a good example of effective messaging. 

Raytown’s current slogan is “Reaching for Tomorrow”. It has a catchy sound to it. But to be honest, I do not believe anyone knows what exactly it means. 

I do know what “Growing Together” means. I know Raytown has great potential to improve. I know it is a great place to call home. I also know we can build a better Raytown by Growing  Together.

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