Celebrating the Katy Trail with events across Missouri

News release | Apr. 24, 2025

ST. LOUIS, (April 24, 2025) – The Katy Trail, the country's longest continuous recreational rail trail, is now home to a new Ted and Pat Jones Welcome Center at the Treloar Trailhead in Marthasville, MO. The center, named in honor of the visionary creators of the trail, Edward "Ted" Jones Jr. and his wife Pat, will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting Saturday, April 26.

Edward Jones leaders, associates, and their families will be joined by staff and guests of Missouri State Parks and Magnificent Missouri at the celebration, which includes family fun, live music, branded giveaways and lunch. Guests can also take home an Arbor Day Foundation tree to plant in their own yard or community.

Ted and Pat Jones left a legacy of conservation that is a vital component of the firm's efforts to promote healthier futures.

"We believe that growing our impact carries a primary responsibility to leave people and places better than we found them," says Ken Cella, Principal and Head of External Affairs at Edward Jones. "Our commitment to the Katy Trail and the Arbor Day Foundation are how we are bringing our purpose to life in the communities we serve.”

Both Ted and Pat Jones would have celebrated their 100th birthdays in 2025. The firm is honoring their legacy throughout the year with several celebrations, including these events across the state and along the trail on Saturday, April 26 beginning at 9 a.m.

  • Treloar Trailhead — Marthasville, MO | Ribbon cutting of the new Ted and Pat Jones Welcome Center and honeysuckle removal with managing partner, Penny Pennington
  • Sedalia Trailhead — Sedalia, MO | Tree planting and trail clean up
  • North Jefferson City Trailhead — Holts Summit, MO | Native plantings and trail clean up
  • Matson Trailhead — Defiance, MO | Tree planting and trail clean up

The Katy Trail activities are brought to life through collaborations with Missouri State Parks and retired Edward Jones General Partners Dan and Connie Burkhardt. The Burkhardt's are founders of Magnificent Missouri, a not-for-profit that advocates for the Katy Trail, and Dan Burkhardt is also a trustee of Ted and Pat Jones' estates. The Treloar Mercantile was donated by the Burkhardts to Missouri State Parks in 2024 for use as the first State Parks welcome center on the Katy Trail and is supported by a $250,000 gift from Edward Jones.

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About Edward Jones

Edward Jones is a leading North American financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s more than 20,000 financial advisors throughout North America serve more than 9 million clients with a total of $2.2 trillion in client assets under care as of December 31, 2024. Edward Jones' purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm's approximately 55,000 associates and our branch presence in 68% of U.S. counties and most Canadian provinces and territories, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

About the Katy Trail

In 1990, Ted and Pat Jones donated $2.2 million to secure and transform the 240-mile stretch of abandoned railroad along the Missouri River. Their generosity laid the foundation of the Katy Trail, the longest developed rail trail in the nation. Now — on the 35th anniversary of the Trail’s opening — you’re invited to volunteer alongside Edward Jones associates and hear about the Katy Trail’s impact on our communities and celebrate Ted and Pat’s legacy.

About Missouri State Parks

For more information concerning Katy Trail State Park, please call 573-449-7402. For more information on the Missouri State Park system, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

About Magnificent Missouri

Magnificent Missouri is a not-for-profit formed in 2013 to advocate for and improve the corridor along the Katy Trail through tree planting, invasive species removal, community events, book publishing and production of documentaries about the Trail.