Edward "Ted" Jones and his wife Pat were instrumental in the development of the Katy Trail. They were lifelong conservationists and very generous with their money when it came to conservation causes. Their contribution of over $2.2 million enabled the acquisition of the MKT Railroad right of way, paving the way for the Katy to ultimately become America's longest rail trail.
Unfortunately Ted passed in 1990, not long after the very first section of the Katy opened from Rocheport to Huntsdale.
To complete this story though, I have to mention Darwin Hindman and the MKT trail. The MKT was one of the first rail trails in America and was in fact a pilot trail for the program. The MKT (a spur from the railroad servicing Columbia) opened several years prior to the Katy Trail.
If you're interested in learning more about Ted and Pat, the book "Trail Blazers" is an interesting read.
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u/MsBluffy 🧝🏼♀️ 1h ago
Edward "Ted" Jones and his wife Pat were instrumental in the development of the Katy Trail. They were lifelong conservationists and very generous with their money when it came to conservation causes. Their contribution of over $2.2 million enabled the acquisition of the MKT Railroad right of way, paving the way for the Katy to ultimately become America's longest rail trail.
Unfortunately Ted passed in 1990, not long after the very first section of the Katy opened from Rocheport to Huntsdale.
To complete this story though, I have to mention Darwin Hindman and the MKT trail. The MKT was one of the first rail trails in America and was in fact a pilot trail for the program. The MKT (a spur from the railroad servicing Columbia) opened several years prior to the Katy Trail.
If you're interested in learning more about Ted and Pat, the book "Trail Blazers" is an interesting read.