To commemorate National Trails Day and Missouri's bicentennial year, Missouri State Parks is encouraging volunteers to clean up the Katy Trail.
The Katy Trail Bicentennial Work Party Challenge will be from 9 a.m.- noon June 5.
In honor of Missouri's 200 years of statehood, organizers hope to have at least 200 people volunteer for a total of at least 200 hours at the event. Participants can take a selfie and stop by a participating location to receive a small souvenir.
The event organizer at Missouri State Parks, Susan Love, said it is a great opportunity for people who want to get outside, even if they are concerned about the coronavirus.
"It's a great way to do something to give back to the trails and the places that people love to use in a safe, socially distanced way," Love said.
The nearest participating location for Callaway County residents is the North Jefferson Trailhead. The Missouri State Parks website has information on how to register for the event.
The other participating locations are the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles Trailhead, McKittrick Trailhead, Marthasville Trailhead, Sedalia Trailhead, New Franklin Trailhead and Windsor Trailhead.
Alexandra Bobbitt, Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau communications manager, encouraged residents to participate in the community service event.
"I know it's not everyone's cup of tea to clean up trash that doesn't belong to them, but they'll experience a sense of reward simply by looking at the result of a morning's work and the gratitude expressed by many," she said.
The Katy Trail is the longest trail in the country, developed along an old railroad track. It runs along the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which abbreviates into MKT and led to the pronunciation of "Katy."
The 240-mile trail goes by Jefferson City, and Bobbitt talked about its importance to the city. She said the Capital City's shops, restaurants and hotels benefit from the Katy Trail's proximity.
"The more visitors we have from the trail means an increase in revenue and a boost to our economy," she added.
Missouri's bicentennial year will continue to be the focus of events as the state's history is celebrated.
Other upcoming bicentennial events in Jefferson City include a "Celebrating Missouri's Bicentennial"-themed Salute to America event during the Fourth of July weekend, the dedication of the Bicentennial Bridge and a Statehood Day ceremony in conjunction with a U.S. Naturalization ceremony.