You wouldn’t know it today but in the early part of the 20th century little Avondale, Missouri was quite the hub of area transportation. But first some background. The earliest form of transportation in the area was the Missouri River and Rock Creek that flows through Avondale emptied into the Missouri just a short distance to the south. And the stream’s watershed provided an easy grade up through the river bluffs. It also provided drinking water and power for a grist mill built along its banks in 1839.

The City of Kansas City, Mo., trail system has a new name and logo thanks to two Kansas City, Mo., residents who entered the City Planning and Development Department's contest. The winning entries were selected from more than 300 submissions.

Ron Simmons submitted the name "Trails KC!," which will be featured on the bottom of a logo created by Molly Paugh. For winning the contests, Paugh will receive a $1,000 prize donated by Kansas City River Trails Inc., and Simmons will receive a Gary Fisher hybrid bike donated by Cycle City.

Northlanders can mark National Trails Day at several locations on Saturday and do it the old-fashioned way: By hiking, jogging or walking at a leisurely pace.

A new twist will be available beginning Saturday when the Earth Riders Trails Association and local enthusiasts cut the ribbon on a new mountain bike trail at Liberty's Stocksdale Park.