Joplin Secures $500,000 Grant to Build MOmentum Bike Park Trail

Federal Grant Secures New Trail Connection for MOmentum Bike Park

Cyclists heading to the MOmentum Bike Park in Joplin will soon have a dedicated route off the open road. The City of Joplin has secured a $500,000 federal grant to build a two-thirds-mile trail linking Landreth Park to Dover Park and MOmentum Bike Park.

Right now, riders trying to access the 95-acre facility have to navigate roadways completely devoid of bike lanes. That missing infrastructure is about to change. Funded through a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund award provided by the National Park Service via Missouri State Parks, the project addresses a major safety hurdle for the park’s steady stream of visitors.

What the New Trail Will Include

Construction on the connector is slated to begin soon, with a targeted completion date by 2028.

A 12-foot-wide multi-use trail beginning at the low-water bridge just west of the intersection of Murphy Boulevard and North Main Street, stretching to Lone Elm Road.
An 11-foot-wide pre-formed pedestrian bridge crossing Joplin Creek.
Comprehensive wayfinding signage placed along the route and at trailheads to guide users.

The grant selection process was part of a larger, multi-year municipal effort. Working with consultant Guidehouse, Joplin applied for nearly 50 awards over the past several years, securing nearly $58.3 million in grant funding for a variety of projects totaling over $98.3 million.

“This grant is another big win for Joplin citizens and a project that will improve safety and convenience for bicyclists and pedestrians going in and out of the bike park,” City Manager Nick Edwards said in a statement.

The new connection is just one component of a broader local strategy. A second voter-approved project under the Parks and Stormwater Sales Tax initiative will eventually build an underpass beneath the existing North Main Street overpass near Ozark Christian College and Dover Elementary School. That future underpass will let riders bypass street-level crosswalks entirely.

Growth and Future Trail Networks

Opened in November, MOmentum Bike Park sits on Lone Elm Road south of Zora Avenue. It features 10 miles of single-track mountain bike trails, a BMX pump track, progressive jump lines, a skills course, and a children’s bike playground. The facility drew enough attention to host the 2026 UCI Pump Track World Championships this summer and is on pace to generate over 100,000 unique visits in its first year.

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The upcoming trail marks a significant push toward a continuous municipal trail network. Future phases aim to link MOmentum with Landreth and Ewert parks, eventually establishing routes toward Campbell Parkway, Parr Hill Park, and across Range Line Road using sidewalks to connect with Prospect Village.