1

DESOTO COUNTY GREENWAYS October 1, 2010

Volume 1, Issue 2

Greenways Connections

Inside this issue: Desoto County Celebrates Family Health and

Fitness Day
Desoto Greenways 2 The Desoto County Board of
Connections
Supervisors sponsored Family
Health and Fitness Day on Sat-
Fall is a Great Time 2 urday, September 25,2010. It
to Get Outdoors was conceived in part as a re-
sponse to the U.S. Surgeon
Desoto Visitors 2 General's report on Physical
Center Trail Activity and Health. The holi-
day's purpose, with the partici-
Greenways Focus: 3 pation of local organizations,
Arkabutla Lake was to increase good health
awareness and promote family
involvement in physical activi-
Hernando and Horn 4 ty.
Lake parks
Austin Family Do-
nates Land Hernando Bicycle Club
conjunction with the Hernando Bicycle club. Bo McAninch with
the Hernando Bicycle Club said the “Hernando to Arkabutla Lake
ride exceeded their normal expectations by including entire fami-
lies participating in the event with a focus on family health.” The
Bicycle Ride was also supported by Desoto County Greenways,
University of Memphis & Journeymen Racing .
Hernando Girl Scout troop 10702 led by Gia Matheney, Cub Scout
Pack 741 from Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church along with
several volunteers and others took part in an interpretive hike on
the recently opened ARK trails just off MS 304 near Hernando.
Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation volunteers Val Smith and
Missy Flanagan gave a brief presentation of their work with wild-
life rehabilitation and overview of the future nature center.
Pat Irby, volunteer with Cub Scout Pack 741 said the event was
“very interesting and I really enjoyed the nature hike.”

Greenways and 7
Family Health

Greenways Master 6 Cub Scout Pack 741 and Girl Scout Troop 10702 on the ARK
plan update
trails

Desoto Greenways Desoto County Greenways

participated in the event by
Connections
sponsoring Bike Rides in Olive
Mailing Address: 316 Branch and Hernando along
West Commerce Street, with an interpretive hike on the
Hernando, MS 38632 ARK trails. David Baker,
Fax: 662-489-5195
Phone: 662-489-9708
Greenways volunteer led the
Web Address: Olive Branch ride.
www.desotogreenways.
Jeff Shocklee with Hernando’s
org
Email: Ride for Reading bicycle team
larry@desotogreenways.org hosted a morning mountain
bike ride at Bayou Point Trail
© 2010 Desoto County along with 5 mile family fun
Greenways
ride and a 25 mile longer ride
for more accomplished riders in
2
Greenways Connections
Page 2
Welcome to Desoto Greenways Newsletter
Connections! By Larry Jarrett
This issue of Desoto Green-
ways Connections is focused
on family health, fitness and
related outdoor activities.
Larry Jarrett In this month’s issue we offer
Desoto Greenways Co-
a variety of greenways news
ordinator
and related articles from
around Desoto County as well
as article relating to family
health and fitness.
Mississippi has the highest
obesity rate in the nation and
although, Desoto County
“Do not scores better than the rest of
the state, we have ample
follow room for improvement.
where the
Fall is a great time to get outdoors!
path may
lead. Go It’s finally Fall and time to get
instead, outdoors and a great time to
celebrate outdoor recreation
where there and the role it plays with im-
proving the quality of life in
is no path Desoto County. Whether bik-
ing, hiking, trail running, camp-
and leave a ing, swimming, boating, fish-
ing, hunting or simply explor-
trail.” ing nature, park and recreation
facilities provide opportunities
Ralph Waldo
Emerson Desoto County Visitors Center Trail Update
The Desoto County Visitor’s
Center trail construction is
complete except for landscap-
ing and tree planting which is
scheduled for later this fall.
The project is a collaborative
effort between the Desoto
Visitor’s Center Trail Diagram County Convention and Visi-
tor’s Bureau , Desoto County
Getting both children and
adults outside can reduce obe-
sity and provide family
friendly recreation in the
meantime.
Our goal is to initiate creative
thinking and engagement of
our readers that will ultimate-
ly improve our greenways
system here in Desoto County.
We are open to suggestions
and comments regarding con-
tent and news articles and will
be soliciting greenways relat-
ed articles from others.
for every one of all ages and all
backgrounds to enjoy the state's
diverse natural resources. Par-
ticipants can improve their
health while supporting recrea-
tion opportunities.
Fall is a season the whole fami-
ly can enjoy. When the weather
turns crisp and leaves begin to
change colors, many people
Greenways and the Desoto
County Tourism Association.
The 1/4 mile handicapped ac-
cessible interpretive trail circles
the storm water retention pond
on the outer edges of the civic
center and will feature native
landscaping. The pet friendly
trail will provide visitors and
Volume 1, Issue 2
We want to especially thank
the Desoto County Board of
Supervisors and the Desoto
County Economic Develop-
ment Council for their contin-
ued support for our Green-
ways program.
We are constantly developing
our mailing list and hope you
will join. If you know of some-
one that wants to receive the
newsletter or volunteer for
greenways related activities,
pleas email me at lar-
ry@desotogreenways.org. or
join in on the discussion on
Facebook.
feel that the fun of the year is
over until Halloween comes
around. However, there are
numerous activities that can get
the whole family revved up for
Fall. Inexpensive crafts and
activities abound throughout
the season that can make the
transition from the warm
weather of summer more excit-
ing.
residents a place to walk,
stretch, picnic or peaceful rest.
3
Greenways Connections
Greenways Focus: Arkabutla Lake
Mississippi State University’s
Natural Resources Enterprises
Program recently published
information on the economic
impact of outdoor recreation
in Mississippi. For example,
the annual economic impact
from hunting was $1.2 billion;
fishing -$690 million; and
wildlife watching - $791 mil-
lion for a total economic im-
pact of $2.7 billion. This eco-
nomic activity included both
private and public lands and
supported over 71,000 jobs.
Desoto County is fortunate to
have Arkabutla Lake and the
Coldwater River system that
not only provides recreational
and associated health benefits,
but generates an economic
impact to the local communi-
ty. The money spent by visi-
tors to Corps lakes on trip
expenses adds to the local and
national economies by sup-
porting jobs and generating
income.
Arkabutla Lake
Visitor spending represents a
sizable component of the
economy in many communi-
ties around Corps lakes. Ac-
cording to the Corps natural
and recreational resources at
Arkabutla Lake already pro-
vide social, economic and
environmental benefits for
Exercise and
Outdoor Recreation
residents and visitors generat-
ing over $ 21.4 million in
annual visitor spending with
55% being captured by the
local economy.
Desoto County residents are
fortunate to have diverse
outdoor recreational opportu-
nities readily available with
public land access with Ark-
abutla Lake and surrounding
public lands. Whether it’s
hunting, fishing, boating, or
just enjoying the outdoors,
Arkabutla Lake provides a
variety of opportunities for
all outdoor enthusiasts to
enjoy. Activities and areas
established for recreation
include: trails for hiking and
biking, picnic areas, picnic
shelters, ADA parking spaces
at the boat ramps and recrea-
tion areas, an ADA accessible
fishing pier, 3 swimming
beaches including one that is
ADA accessible, ADA acces-
sible playgrounds, a variety
of campgrounds. Recreation
on the lake provides for some
of the best fishing in the
Southeast and some of the
best sailing east of the Mis-
sissippi River. The Arkabutla
lake area has over 30,000
acres of land open for public
hunting.
Desoto County Greenways is
proud to be partnering with
the US Army Corp of Engi-
neers –Arkabutla Lake to
promote their outdoor recrea-
tional activities –specifically
with the construction and
promotion of the Arkabutla
Nature Center Trails system
Better Health
Volume 1, Issue 2
and the connection of Green-
ways with the Public lands
around Arkabutla Lake. A few
of the activities at Arkabutla
include:
Hiking – Arkabutla Lake has
Coldwater River Nature
Trail
Coldwater River Nature
Trail
four trails for hiking, mountain
bike riding, or just enjoying
the outdoors. The North Out-
let Channel Recreation Area
provides access to the Coldwa-
ter River Nature Trail System.
This network of trails encom-
passes two hiking trails (one
trail is 3 miles in length and
the other is 5 miles in length)
and the Big Oak Nature Trail
which is a self-guided interpre-
tive trail. The area includes
pristine bottomland hardwood
and pine forests where an
abundance of wildlife and
native plant species can be
found throughout.
Page 3
The Arkabutla Lake Nature and
Environmental Education Cen-
ter trails, which opened this
spring, consists of 2 miles of
woodland walking trails locat-
ed 10 miles west of Hernando
on Highway 304 just west of
Fogg Road. Look for signs and
parking area on the left just
past Panther Creek.
Biking – As a result of the part-
nership between the Corps of
Engineers and the Mid-South
Trails Association an off-road,
4.7 miles mountain bicycle trail
has been established at Bayou
Point.
Disc Golf – A partnership be-
tween the Corps of Engineers
and DeSoto county Disc Golf
Club has rendered an 18-hole
disc golf course near Pratt
Road below the dam. The Lost
Indian Spring Disc Golf Course
is 5,623 feet. Use of the trails
system and disk golf is free.
The Army Corps of Engineers
is the steward of the lands and
waters at Corps water resources
projects. Its Natural Resource
Management Mission is to
manage and conserve those
natural resources, consistent
with ecosystem management
principles, while providing
quality public outdoor recrea-
tion experiences to serve the
needs of present and future
generations.
For more information visit:
Arkabutla
Reduced Health
Care Costs
4

Greenways Connections Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 4

Hernando and Horn Lake Earn Recognition for

We need you!
Please contact us if you
have any information that
you would like to include in
our newsletter!
larry@destotogreenways.org
662-489-9708
Parks
Playful City USA communities Latimer Lakes Park
August 18, 2010 are making a commitment to
play and physical activity by
Hernando and Horn Lake were
developing unique local action
among the 118 cities and towns
plans to increase the quantity
across the country that earned
and quality of play in their
recognition as a “Playful City”,
community. In doing so, some
ensuring children in their com-
of the most innovative ideas
munities are active and
and cost-effective programs are
healthy. This is the first year
being developed in Playful City
Horn Lake has earned this des-
USA communities – proving Lee’s Summit Park
ignation and the third year for
that parks and play are more
Hernando. Only 30 of the 118
important than ever.
cities received this recognition
for the third consecutive year.

Austin Family Donates more Land for Greenways

Austin Land Donation
October 1, 2010
Brothers Bill and Gerry Austin
announce a 10-acre donation to
the North Mississippi Land
Trust Mississippi to expand the
Johnson Creek Greenway. This
was the second donation from
the Austin family to the North
Mississippi Land Trust for the
benefit of the Desoto County
Greenways Program and the
Johnson Creek Greenway.
DeSoto County Greenways
Coordinator Larry Jarrett said
the land eventually would be
developed as part of the exist-
ing Johnson Creek Greenway
that begins at Baldwin Rd and
will eventually end at the Mis-
sissippi River. This strip of
land begins at the intersection
of Church Road as it crosses
Johnson Creek and connects
with land previously donated
by the Austin Family just west
of MS 301 near Austin Rd.
The Johnson Creek Trail runs
parallel to and was planned in
conjunction with utility ease-
ments obtained by Entergy and
the DeSoto County Regional
Utility Authority.
See related article below.

DCRUA Construction along The Johnson Creek Greenway Update

Johnson Creek
The Johnson Creek Greenway
project is awaiting the comple-
tion of the Desoto County region-
al utility Authority main intercep-
tor line construction which is
scheduled for sometime later this
year. We are in the design phase
of the parking areas and trails and
research is almost complete
documenting the areas historical,
cultural, ecological and educa-
tional values associated with the
property. Signs have already
been installed at Baldwin Rd and can begin until the sewer line is
Highway 61 and easements are in completed.
place for the first phase of con-
struction. The Johnson Creek
greenway will include interpre-
tive signage, outdoor environ-
mental and education classroom,
wildlife viewing area and land-
scaped parking areas including a
constructed wetlands. Plans in-
clude planting native grasses for
wildlife under and around the
utility easements. No trail work
5
Greenways Connections
Mississippi Gets Second Rails to Trails Project:
The Tanglefoot Trail
New Albany, MS -
The Tanglefoot Trail located
in the Mississippi Hills Na-
tional Heritage area will pre-
serve the abandoned railroad
corridor assembled for the
Ripley Railroad by Col. W.C.
Falkner in 1871. With its sto-
ried past, the 44.5 mile
10’wide asphalt trail will
offer multi-use recreational
opportunities as it winds
through six communities,
forests, fields, pastures, and
wetlands in Union, Pontotoc
and Chickasaw counties in
northeast Mississippi. Bikers,
walkers, and joggers will en-
joy the beauty of the trees, the
meadows, the creeks, the flora
and the fauna with an occa-
sional stop to learn a bit of
history about the area and
each of the communities:
New Albany, Ecru, Pontotoc,
Algoma, Houlka and Hou-
ston. An equestrian trail will
parallel the asphalt trail in
appropriate places.
The approximately $10 mil-
lion rails-to-trails project is
made possible through Feder-
al Transportation Enhance-
ment funds administered by
the Mississippi Department of
Transportation, partial fund-
ing from MDOT and a grant
from Mississippi Wildlife
Fisheries and Parks. The
GM&O Rails to Trails Recre-
ational District guided by
Three Rivers Planning and
Development District made
its first application in July
2006 and has been working
diligently since then to pur-
chase, develop and construct
the trail. The Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy noted in 2007
that the Tanglefoot Trail,
named after one of the en-
gines used in the construction
of the railroad, is poised to
become an impressive rural
recreational trail with heritage
tourism potential. The trail
will follow the old rail line as
well as parts of the Chickasaw
trail created as these native
Americans moved about the
region and the path of Meri-
wether Lewis. The Tanglefoot
Trail can easily provide ac-
cess to the Ingomar Mounds,
a National Heritage Site, lo-
cated near the Ingomar com-
munity in Union County.
The trail will afford a variety
of opportunities for people to
capitalize on the many users
who will be coming to the
area from across the country.
Restaurants, cafes, refresh-
ment stands, bike shops with
rentals, retail outlets, B & Bs,
campgrounds, stables, artist’s
and craftsmen’s studios or
workshops are just a few of
Volume 1, Issue 2
Page 5
the examples of offerings
along other recreational trails.
While economic opportunities
for the communities along the
trail as well as our region
abound, the Tanglefoot Trail
will provide people of all ages
Tanglefoot Trail before
with an attractive place to Construction
bike, walk, jog , perhaps par-
ticipate in an adjacent trail
ride on horses or simply en-
joy being outdoors. The trail- “The Tanglefoot Trail will
heads and a gateway will be provide people of all ages with
located in New Albany, an attractive place to bike, walk,
Pontotoc and Houston with jog , perhaps participate in an
Whistle Stops in Ecru, Al- adjacent trail ride on horses or
goma and Houlka. Rest stops
simply enjoy being outdoors. “
and overlooks along the trail
will provide numerous oppor- Betsey Hamilton, Chairman—GM
tunities for nature enthusiasts & O Rails to Trails Recreational
to enjoy themselves as well. District
With construction planned to
begin in early 2011, hopes are
high that the summer and fall
of 2012 will find many enjoy-
ing the Tanglefoot Trail. “You can’t
“With all that is happening in
regards to heritage tourism in conserve what
north Mississippi our three
counties now have a wonder- you haven’t
ful opportunity to reap eco-
nomic benefits from a unique got.” ~Marjory
rails to trails project and offer
our citizens and visitors an Stoneman Douglas
opportunity to enjoy being
outdoors. While we are excit-
ed about being able to begin
construction, we are eagerly
awaiting the chance to ride.” 2010 BikeMS
says Betsey Hamilton, Chair-
man, GM & O Rails to Trails
Recreational District.
tanglefoottrail@hotmail.com
http://
www.tanglefoottrail.org/
index.html
6
Greenways Connections
Page 6
Greenways Gets Master Plan Update and Goals
Desoto County Greenways recently met for a strategic planning session to update
the original Greenways Master plan which was originally developed in 2005.
The planning session attendees included Desoto Greenways committee members,
North MS Land Trust Board members, Desoto Economic Council members,
County officials and several representatives from the various user groups.
The new plan adds additional proposed bike trails and greenways; identifies City
parks and green space as a result of a County-wide inventory with help of Leader-
ship Desoto.
During the planning session, participants reviewed the Greenways mission, the
Greenways Coordinator’s scope of work, future plans and objectives.
The group also identified goals and marketing ideas in the form of a matrix which
David Baker, with Fisher and Arnold, authors of the Master Plan provided along
with a new proposed greenways map.
In addition to the Coldwater River Blueway, several proposed bike trails were
Volume 1, Issue 2
added throughout the County. Protected lands,
wetlands and existing green space were identi-
fied as major hubs along with the associated
links which connect the green space that also
can be used for recreation and wildlife corri-
dors.
The plan also identifies future expansion of
some of the trails to Tunica and Tate Counties.
We welcome any questions or comments on the
future plans for Desoto Greenways and how we
can further make Desoto County a better place
to live.
See Matrix, on page 8 and Greenways Master
Plan Map below:
7

Greenways Connections Volume 1, Issue 2

Page 7

Greenways, Family Health and the Nature-Deficit Disorder

Many people realize exercise is
important for maintaining good
health in all stages of life; how-
ever many do not regularly
exercise. The U.S. Surgeon
General estimates that 60% of
American adults are not regu-
larly active and another 25%
are not active at all. In commu-
nities across the country, peo-
ple do not have access to trails,
parks, or other recreation areas
close to their homes. Trails and
greenways provide a safe, inex-
pensive avenue for regular ex-
ercise for people living in rural,
urban and suburban areas.
The idea of humans as an inte-
gral part of nature as it relates
to physical and mental health is
not new. A simple walk in the
woods, even in a city park, is
refreshing, because that is what
we have always done. It is not
Cub Scouts from Pack 741
only refreshing; but, also a
reminder of our place in the
universe.
People are naturally drawn to
nature and the outdoors. A visit
to the oceans, a park, moun-
tains or just a walk through the
forest relaxes us and makes us
feel good. Experts now tell us
that this attraction isn't by
chance and that we humans
need to be close to nature on a
regular basis.
In his recent book, Last Child
in the Woods: Saving our Chil-
dren from Nature-Deficit Dis-
order, Richard Louv links the
absence of nature in the lives of
today’s children to some of the
disturbing trends, including the
rise in obesity, attention disor-
ders, and depression. He con-
tends that direct exposure to
nature is essential for healthy
childhood development and the
physical and emotional health
of both children and adults. In
addition, Louv links nature
deficit to a loss of creativity
and a loss for respect for nature
and the living world.
In addition, the beneficial ef-
fects of natural settings, and
even of looking at pictures of
landscapes, can be measured,
and have been verified in psy-
chological studies. Laura Sea-
wall, a leading pioneer in the
field of Ecopsychology, con-
tends that, in a technology driv-
en world, the daily demands on Join the Desoto County Eco-
our lives have caused us to nomic Development Council
narrow our field of vision, ef- http://www.desotocounty.com/
fectively numbing of our sens-
Call:662-429-4414
es. She argues that, although
our sensory capacities––taste, 316 West Commerce Street
smell, sight, hearing and touch– Hernando, MS 38632
–are fundamental avenues of
connection between self and
world, we have become psychi-
cally numb and oblivious to the
natural world around us.
We have a growing apprecia-
tion of the values of nature, "The woods were
including its intrinsic value
my Ritalin. Nature
We can restore our own health
and the health of the planet by calmed me, focused
conserving green space, build-
ing trails and greenways and me, and yet excited
getting both children and adults
outdoors for exercise.
my senses."
— Richard Louv
Children on ARK trails
(Last Child in the
Woods: Saving Our
Children from Nature-
Deficit Disorder)

Upcoming Events
“Romp on the River”
Saturday October 16, 2010 at
the Tunica River Park, Tunica
MS
All Day Event!
“National Trails Symposium”
Chattanooga, TN
October 14-17, 2010
“Desoto County Economic De-
velopment Council’s Third
Quarterly Membership Lunch-
eon”
Friday, October 1, 2010
Whispering Woods Hotel and
Conference Center, Olive
Branch, MS.
Featuring Keynote Speaker Rao
Mulpuri, CEO, Soladigm, Inc.
“Southaven’s 2nd Annual 5K
Run”
Saturday, October 23, 9:00 at
Snowden Grove Park in
Southaven, MS
“4th Annual Wolf River Green-
way 4-Miler and Family Fun
Walk.”
Germantown—Wolf River
Greenway October 16,2010
“Horn Lake Autumn in the
Park Fall Festival”
October 14-16, 2010
Please email and let
us know about up-
coming Greenways
related events!
8
DESOTO COUNTY
GREENWAYS
316 West Commerce Street
Hernando, MS 38632
Phone: 662-489-9708
Fax: 662-489-5195
E-mail: larry@desotogreenways.org
Experience Nature First Hand
-Get Outdoors !
We’re on the Web!
www.desotogreenways.org
Join us on Facebook
About Us
The mission of the Desoto
County Greenways program is
to establish a greenway system
that connects public and private
open and green spaces with
sidewalks throughout Desoto
County Mississippi while pro-
tecting, restoring and linking
the natural features and their
functions in order to achieve a
healthy natural environment
and ecological diversity.
The Desoto County Greenways
program encompasses scenic
pathways, protected green
space and trails designed to
help improve the quality of life
for the people of Desoto Coun-
ty Mississippi. The Greenways meets regularly and encourages
system takes advantage of na- you to get involved to make
ture and its beauty and will Desoto County a better place to
encompass a variety of multi- live now and in the future. Eve-
purpose trails and green space ryone is welcome to help so
suitable for hiking, skating, call 662-489-9708 or visit
jogging, walking, running, www.desotogreenways.org
equestrian use, canoeing and online to find out how you can
kayaking and biking. help make this plan a reality.
Desoto County Greenways
operates under the umbrella of
the Desoto County Economic
Development Council. The
program is supported by state
and County Elected officials,
an advisory council plus nu-
merous public and private
Desoto County individuals. The
Greenways advisory committee