Ringgold Trailway parking expansion planned
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Finding a spot to park at the Ringgold Trailway is about to get easier as the County Conservation Board expands the entry on the west end of the trail.
While a land purchase has been pursued for many years, a recent change of ownership helped facilitate acquiring a half acre of land to expand parking.
Currently, only a handful of vehicles can park at any given time, and vehicles often block access to the trail by parking on the paved part of the path when the gravel area is full.
Ringgold County Conservation Director, Travis Scott, plans to expand the gravel parking area roughly 100 feet south, and 300 feet east to add access for 7-8 more vehicles.
“I’m trying to prevent walking across the road,” says Scott.
The west entrance of the trailway sits along US Hwy 169 on the east side of Mount Ayr, and visitors sometimes park along the highway that borders Mount Ayr Community School grounds.
Scott plans to remove the current fence and take some trees out prior to building a new fence bordering the parking area. Once the area is cleared, fresh gravel will be brought in to create a L-shaped parking lot next to the new fence line.
While the ground work for this future plan is taking place, Scott is working on coordinating fall and winter events.
Picnic in the park
The last picnic in the park of the year was held on Wednesday, September 25, with Capa’s Tacos on site serving authentic street tacos and South American food at the Dragoon Trace Nature Center from 11-1:30 p.m.
Fall fest
A fall festival is planned for Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Poe Hollow Park. Families are invited to enjoy pumpkin painting, leaf crafts, games and other activities. Reno and Woody’s food truck will also be on site providing lunch options.
Lighted park
Planning has also begun to light up Poe Hollow Park during December. Ringgold County Conservation is seeking businesses and other groups to participate by setting up a lighted display.
Sites can be decorated with lights, inflatables, or other creative displays to advertise your organization or spread joy.
The park will be open for drive-through viewing the three weekends of December.
Join the lighted park drive through display by contacting Travis Scott at 641-234-1519.
