Area residents are invited to the dedication, at 11 a.m. Saturday, of a sign marking the eastern trailhead of the 16-mile-long Ruby Jack Trail, a hiking, biking, and jogging trail on the former Burlington Northern railroad bed from Carthage to Carl Junction.

The dedication will be held at the Carthage trailhead access at Oak Street and Old Highway 66 just west of Carthage Municipal Park and across the road from the municipal golf course.

Gary Lowden, a spokesman for the Joplin Trails Coalition, said trail has been cleared of obstacles for most of its length and volunteers have been working on improving the five-mile section from Carthage to Oronogo.

"We've been working on phase one and two of the trail," Lowden said. "Those phases are still a bit rough, but they are usable. Between Oronogo and Carl Junction, people can use the trail, but it's really rough. They are still walking on old railroad rock."

Lowden said Saturday's dedication will also feature a barbeque, with hot dogs and soda available.
He said it's a chance for the public to meet the volunteers who are helping build the trail and build "a wonderful resource," for the region.

Lowden said the dedication will also serve as a membership drive leading up to the group's annual Maple Leaf Bike Ride, which will benefit the continued progress on the Ruby Jack Trail.

For more details on the event, people can visit the group's Web site at http://www.joplintrailscoalition.org