State parks ask Henry County to add trail-crossing signs and limit bridge loads on Katy Trail crossings
February 19, 2026 | Henry County, Missouri
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Missouri State Parks representatives met with the Henry County Commission on Feb. 17 to discuss safety improvements along the Katy Trail where it crosses county roads.
Alyssa Hall, superintendent for the Katy Trail West section, said the parks team prioritized a list of county-road crossings that could benefit from prominent diamond 'trail crossing' signs and recommended coordinated mowing to improve sight lines. "We're just trying to get a cohesive vision for safety for our visitors as well as people who are visiting individual counties," Hall said.
State parks staff said they have ordered 630 new cross-traffic signs and aim to have installations completed by June, subject to county cooperation on placement and bolting. Parks staff also warned that some trail bridges are historic and cannot safely carry ambulances or heavy vehicles; they offered a single-padlock key system (the 26-46 key) that would give emergency responders controlled access without repeatedly breaking locks.
On e-bikes, parks staff and county law-enforcement attendees described the allowed machines as pedal-assist devices limited to 20 miles per hour; park staff said class 1 and 3 pedal-assist bikes are permitted while throttle-only devices are not. "It's gotta be pedal assist. 20 miles an hour is a speed limit for visitors now," a regional parks official said. Staff acknowledged enforcement is challenging but said informational panels, web notices and county cooperation can reduce dangerous crossings.
The parks team also asked whether the county could assist with culvert or small-bridge work at select crossings. Parks staff said they will supply sign artwork and recommendations but that the decision and installation on county roads remain the county's prerogative.
What happens next: Parks staff will share recommended crossing locations and work with county road crews on sight-line maintenance and sign placement; county staff agreed to consider the recommendations and to coordinate on emergency access keys.
Alyssa Hall, superintendent for the Katy Trail West section, said the parks team prioritized a list of county-road crossings that could benefit from prominent diamond 'trail crossing' signs and recommended coordinated mowing to improve sight lines. "We're just trying to get a cohesive vision for safety for our visitors as well as people who are visiting individual counties," Hall said.
State parks staff said they have ordered 630 new cross-traffic signs and aim to have installations completed by June, subject to county cooperation on placement and bolting. Parks staff also warned that some trail bridges are historic and cannot safely carry ambulances or heavy vehicles; they offered a single-padlock key system (the 26-46 key) that would give emergency responders controlled access without repeatedly breaking locks.
On e-bikes, parks staff and county law-enforcement attendees described the allowed machines as pedal-assist devices limited to 20 miles per hour; park staff said class 1 and 3 pedal-assist bikes are permitted while throttle-only devices are not. "It's gotta be pedal assist. 20 miles an hour is a speed limit for visitors now," a regional parks official said. Staff acknowledged enforcement is challenging but said informational panels, web notices and county cooperation can reduce dangerous crossings.
The parks team also asked whether the county could assist with culvert or small-bridge work at select crossings. Parks staff said they will supply sign artwork and recommendations but that the decision and installation on county roads remain the county's prerogative.
What happens next: Parks staff will share recommended crossing locations and work with county road crews on sight-line maintenance and sign placement; county staff agreed to consider the recommendations and to coordinate on emergency access keys.
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