The Magic Dragon Trails System - What it is and How to Get Involved!
The Magic Dragon Trail System is a plan for a multi-surface system of trails at Lake of the Ozarks that will be the dream of outdoor loving locals and adventure seeking visitors year-round. It will be funded through grants, donations, and land use and designed by professional trail design companies. That way they meet or surpass the standards needed to draw users from all over the nation no matter their skill level. Not only will this trail system be an added quality of life attribute for Lake of the Ozarks residents, it will also bring added revenue and job opportunities to the local economy. If you are interested in learning more keep reading this blog to get a better idea of the vision for the Magic Dragon Trail System and the why behind it. Following are quotes directly from magicdragontrails.com.
What is a Multi-surface Trail System?
A multi-surface trail system generally consists of both hard surface greenways and soft surface trails. These two-way off-road systems can be used for numerous forms of recreation such as walking, biking, hiking, jogging, running, skating, as well as wheelchair accessible. One of the biggest benefits of a multi-surface trails system is they are a safe connection corridor to businesses, cultural attractions, parks, and other recreation sites. Multi-surface trails are often a partnership between public and private entities and public and private land. The surface can vary from paved to asphalt to gravel to natural surfaces. They are designed to be used by all ages and for all skill levels.
Trails and greenways are an excellent draw for families and tourists. Studies show availability of trails and greenways impact people’s decision on where to vacation, how long they stay and whether they will return. They are proven to increase surrounding property values, reduce health care costs for the community, as well as revitalize and grow businesses near trails.
A 2012 study by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources found the economic impact of the Katy Trail is $18.5 million annually.
Why Develop Multi-Surface Trails at Lake of the Ozarks?
Communities across the U.S. benefit annually from building trail systems to boost tourism. A recent study conducted about bicycling in Northwest Arkansas found their multi-surface trails drew about 90,000 – 150,000 out-of-state visitors to the area spending $27 million annually. Osage Beach and the Lake area are perfectly suited for a year-round trail system due to our topography and moderate climate. Our rocky soil drains well allowing trails to be used very quickly following rain or snow compared with most parts of the country. The moderate climate is also perfect for year-round usage compared to traditional mountain areas where trails are usually only open for use June through September. Bikers, hikers, and trail runners want hills, and we have them, and the natural beauty of rock features, bluffs, and lake views are just an added bonus.
A high-quality network of mountain bike trails is known to increase the economic prosperity of a region. A study of the Hayward/Cable Region of Wisconsin found a $7.8-million impact from the established network there in 2019. One-hundred eighteen year-round jobs were attributed to economic activity associated with these trails.
~ Rock Solid Trail Contracting
Trails get used!
“In October 2020 we had 22,000 users per our trail counter on our All-American Trail and we had one solid week of rain that month. These trails get used!”
~ Erin Rushing, Northwest Arkansas Trailblazers
Since the Katy Hiking and Biking Trail opened in Marthasville, a small, quiet town in Missouri, more than a dozen new businesses have opened and renewed civic pride has led to numerous beautification projects. The western half of the trail generates $3 million annually in local revenue.
You Can Help Make This a Reality!
At Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council, we understand how closely our scenic landscape and economic development at Lake of the Ozarks are connected. The tourist attractions around the Lake of the Ozarks consistently contribute to small business growth at Lake of the Ozarks as well as job creation in the Lake of the Ozarks area. They also help create opportunities like the Magic Dragon Trails System. A trail system like this might be impossible to fund with just local dollars, funding is largely related to the economic benefits that come with it. But local residents get the benefit of having this incredible trail system right in their back yard. If you have any input or ideas from funding to trail building, reach out to https://magicdragontrails.com/pages/contact and share your thoughts. Be sure to sign up for their newsletter to stay informed of any new developments, and don’t forget to follow LOREDC on your favorite social media channel using the links below.
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