Fall is by far one of the best times of the year to enjoy the beauty, serenity, and recreational opportunities that abound in the Rolla area and Meramec Valley Region. But before I invite you to explore one of the newest additions to the City’s ever-expanding pedestrian bike path network, I’d like to welcome all of the visitors and Missouri S&T alumni, who will be attending the 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in downtown Rolla (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the various Missouri S&T homecoming festivities that are planned this weekend. If you haven’t visited the Rolla area for any length of time, I think you may be surprised with the many exciting changes and developments that are occurring in our area.
Many new restaurants, retail establishments, building projects, and even intersections and roadways, such as the Bryant Drive Extension on Kingshighway, reflect the upward growth trend that Rolla is experiencing. And what is more noteworthy is that much of this growth and expansion is attracting national retailers and businesses that see the benefit of relocating to the Rolla area where our unique location at the crossroads of I-44, State Road 63, and Hwy. 72, coupled with our distinction as the regional hub for South Central Missouri, is very appealing.
One of the greatest benefits of living in and visiting the Rolla area is spending time outdoors in one of our beautiful parks or on one of the City’s pedestrian bike paths. The most recent addition to our pedestrian bike path network is the new 1.8-mile-long Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path, which increases the length of the City’s trail system to over 12 miles. The Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path was designed by the City’s Public Works Department and runs adjacent to Lions Club Drive along Deible Creek from O Highway to State Road 63 South at CC Highway. The easiest way to access the Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path is at the ACORN Trail trailhead parking lot located on O Highway across from the Rolla Municipal Utilities’ service station just north of Sycamore Drive. You can park in the parking lot, follow the sidewalk that crosses Sycamore Drive and be on your way along the new trail. If you would like to obtain a map of the City’s pedestrian bike path network you can either view it online at www.rollacity.org, or pick one up at the Rolla Visitors Center located on Bridge School Road or at Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street). I think residents and visitors alike will delight in the beauty and serenity of this new section of the City’s pedestrian bike network.
In closing, I’d like to once again encourage the community to attend the inaugural Celebration of Nations event next Saturday, Oct. 9. The event was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the ways cultural diversity enriches Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the world. A Parade of Nations will kick off the event at 11 a.m. when the parade begins at the Missouri S&T Havener Center, (located on the Missouri S&T campus), travel through the downtown area, and end at the downtown bandshell. Colorful flags representing 81 countries of origin of the residents of this region will be carried in the parade. Following the parade, there will be festivities featuring international arts, crafts and food. There will also be an International Idol talent competition, which will be held at the downtown bandshell. Sponsors of the event include the City of Rolla; Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center; Missouri S&T’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders; and Missouri S&T’s economics department, international affairs’ office, leadership and cultural programs, provost’s office and student life department. For more information about the Celebration of Nations please contact Stephane Menand at menands@mst.edu
I hope you enjoy the beautiful fall weather and all the festivities and events planned for this special weekend in Rolla.
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