As President of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District, I am happy and excited to announce that a contract is in the process of being awarded to D&D Construction Company of Lucedale, MS in the amount of $164,400 for the construction of the first phase of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER. The facility will be located here at the trailhead between the Gateway Building and the Southern Miss Station. The OUTDOOR CENTER, when complete, will be dedicated to the memory of MR. JERRY RYAN, who was one of the original and avid supporters of the development of the Longleaf Trace. In fact, it is believed that Jerry procured the first of several major contributions needed to establish the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District, that led to the development of the Longleaf Trace. In addition, Jerry was also an avid user of the trace following its construction. Tragically, in October 2003, Jerry lost his life in a biking accident. Because of Jerry’s love and untiring support of the Longleaf Trace, Jerry’s wife Susan and family designated the Longleaf Trace to receive memorial donations, and as a result, $11,030 has been received. Shortly thereafter, the district’s board of directors, with the consent of Mrs. Ryan and family, dedicated the future outdoor center to the memory of Jerry, to be known as the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER.

Our engineers and architects designed a facility that includes a 30’X40’ lighted pavilion, approximately 250’ of seat walls, bike racks, a pergola along the south border of the development, a children’s playground area, and exercise/warm-up equipment. The JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER, when fully completed, will be a meeting and staging area for groups, which will complement the existing Gateway and provide a staging area for the many planned as well as unplanned group activities. Following the design of the facility, bids were advertised for and received on several occasions, and on each occasion, the bids received exceeded the funds available, which included $95,206 in available federal/state grants, $11,030 from the Jerry Ryan Memorial Fund, and approximately $20,000 in funds available from the district, making funds available of approximately $126,236, while the bids that were received were in excess of $250,000. As a result, the plans for the construction of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER were modified and were phased into two parts, with Phase I estimated to cost $164,400. As can be seen, the district was again left without funds available even for Phase I, since there was only $126,236 available. However, upon being informed of this situation, Mrs. Susan Ryan offered a most generous donation from her and her family of an additional $20,000. Ryan Motors Inc., a family owned car dealership, of which Jerry was a part, also pledged a $10,000 donation. As a result of Mrs. Ryan’s and Ryan Motor’s donations, the district is now able to contract for the Phase I development of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER that will include the lighted 30’X40’ pavilion, approximately 100’ of seat wall, a forty foot section of pergola, and access sidewalks and drainage. The remaining parts of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR COMPLEX will be constructed as additional funds are available. The Phase I of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER will be funded as follows:

$95,206 Federal/State Grant funds

$11,030 Jerry Ryan Memorial Fund

$20,000 Donation, Mrs. Susan Ryan and Family

$10,000 Donation, Ryan Motors, Inc.

$28,164 Longleaf Trace

$164,400 Total Funds Available and Contract Amount

This much needed facility is just an example of the excellent support the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District has received since its inception through generous donations made by corporate, business, and individuals, such as those made by Mrs. Ryan and Ryan Motors, Inc.

Mrs. Ryan, we thank you, your family, and Ryan Motors and we look forward to honoring your husband through the construction of and official dedication of the JERRY RYAN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR CENTER.

Lynn Cartlidge, President

Board of Directors

Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District