BASSFIELD - Gladys Ward's love affair with her flowers started when there were still trains on the Illinois Central track that runs in front of her home on Mississippi 42 between Sumrall and Bassfield.

The block-long flower garden containing hundreds of plants is now a focal point along the Longleaf Trace and so picturesque that Southern Living magazine's May feature on Rails-to-Trails was a photograph of her flowers.

Publicity, like the Southern Living feature and the Trace's Web site named the best in the nation, is reaping economic benefits for Hattiesburg and other towns along the 41-mile trail, said Herlon Pierce, trail manager.

"We are seeing more and more out-of-town cars in parking lots along the trail," Pierce said. "I would estimate trail visitors are accounting for 50 motel rooms a week in Hattiesburg alone."

Pierce said the Southern Living article attracted dozens of new visitors.

"Because of Mrs. Ward's long efforts that enhance the trail, we presented her with a plaque outlining how important her work is," Pierce said.

At 87, Ward admits that she has slowed down some. She now tends her gardens in the early morning hours.

"I've been doing this since we moved in back in the 1950s," she said. "I keep the seed, and each year I plant more."

Texas trial lawyer Robert Davis of Hunt spent last week riding the trail preparing for a July 17 five-day race in Alaska. He spent the week with his parents in Osyka and drove the two hours to use the trail.

"The trail is fabulous, and the maintenance is about as good as I've ever seen," Davis said.

Longtime businesses are seeing an increase in customers, said Anita McDuffie, owner of Lau-Tori's Fine Dining in Sumrall.

McDuffie has added a bicycle rack for trail customers at her restaurant.

"We have a strong local business, and now we are seeing an increase in new customers," McDuffie said.

Jimmy Kennedy of Magee who drives to Hattiesburg twice a week to ride the trail.

"Hattiesburg is so fortunate to have something like this," Kennedy said.

Originally published June 18, 2005