A tribute to

by

Herlon Pierce, Executive Director/Trail Manager

In September 2000, as the first trail manager of the newly constructed Longleaf Trace, I had no idea of who, how, or the effort that was necessary to cause the development of the Longleaf Trace. During those early beginnings, Jerry Ryan became my friend. We often visited along the trace, with him on his bicycle and camera close at hand. Jerry always expressed how much he enjoyed the trace and often discussed possibilities of further enhancing the trace. About the time of Jerry’s untimely death in October of 2003, I discovered those who are considered as the founders of the trace. However, I had no idea Jerry had played a key role in the effort. I have since learned that Jerry was a leader obviously dedicated to our community, our youth, and the less fortunate. It is not my intent to further eulogize his accomplishments, but to chronicle his participation in making the Longleaf Trace a reality.

In 1991, Lynn Cartlidge, President of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, received a notice from the owners of the old railroad rights-of-way, between Hattiesburg and Prentiss, announcing their intent to abandon its use for railroad purposes. By 1992, Mr. Cartlidge had enjoined three other individuals, who along with himself, are known as the founders of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District. They shared his dream of converting the old unused and environmentally abused railroad rights-of-way into a multi-use recreational trail. These founding fathers were James "Lynn" Cartlidge, Stone D. Barefield, Sr., Bobby J. Garraway, and Ronnie Shows.

The founders soon found they needed help, and a plea for assistance was issued to community leaders who were known biking/hiking advocates. Being an avid biker, hiker, and recognized amateur photographer, Jerry joined with a small group led by James Moore, along with Elmer Beardshall and Ed Crockett, with a mission to create community education, awareness, and support for the dream. Their effort was so successful that public opposition gradually disappeared as the project moved forward. As attorneys Stone Barefield and Bobby Garraway were drafting proposed enabling legislation for the creation of recreational districts, this talented group of four volunteers was asked to turn their efforts toward gaining support for its approval to include funds for the purchase of the rights-of-way. Again, their efforts were successful as an outpouring of public support caused the Mississippi State Legislature, in its 1994 regular session, to act quickly and approve the authority for recreational districts including the requested funds. However, Governor Kirk Fordice, while approving the authority for recreational districts, vetoed the funds.

Because of the governor’s action, Jerry and the group of volunteers took on even another task of securing corporate, business, and individual sponsorships and donations for the purchase of the rights-of-way. As a result of the owners imposing an early deadline for the sale/purchase, Southern District Highway Commissioner Ronnie Shows distinguished himself as one of the four founders by quickly convincing his fellow highway commissioners to purchase the rights-of-way and to lease it for the development of the proposed recreational trail. As the rights-of-way were being purchased by the Mississippi Department of Transportation this group of volunteers , as would be expected, had again been successful. Within a short period of time more than $160,000 in local corporate, business and individual sponsorships and donations had been pledged. Jerry is credited with securing the first of the five large corporate sponsorships. The governor’s veto was eventually ruled unconstitutional and the $150,000 in funds were returned to the district. As a result of the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s purchase and leasing of the rights-of-way to the district, the $150,000 combined with the $160,000 in sponsorships and donations was adequate to support a grant and cause construction to begin by early 1999, a much earlier date than originally anticipated.

In September 2000, the first phase (39 miles) of the multi-purpose trail, then named the Longleaf Trace, was opened for public use. The dream of the founding four had been fulfilled with the assistance of the four volunteers who provided many of the vital parts and pieces that led to a biking/ hiking path free from vehicular traffic. Jerry was often seen along the new trail with camera in hand, greeting guests and providing information. Unfortunately on October 22, 2003, Jerry lost his life while riding on a city street in an environment for which he had worked so hard to provide an alternative. Many consider the Longleaf Trace the "miracle of the Pinebelt". While it seems to be a miracle in itself, the true miracle is the fact that this community had these four talented, dedicated, and determined founders and volunteers, who caused the reality of a dream.

Jim Cameron, of WDAM TV in his "Viewpoint" of October 24, 2003, stated that, "Jerry Ryan’s most important investments will no doubt prove to be the good part of himself he so willingly invested in others". We are appreciative that Jerry Ryan chose to invest a part of himself in the Longleaf Trace, a designated recreational trail which is recognized as one of our nation’s finest.