JOHN DAY For those who prefer a stroll along the river over a treadmill, theres a new place to put your walking shoes to use.

 Weve completed the trail, said Mike Cosgrove, referring to a project hes worked on for a couple of years.

 A sign that reads Prospector Trail Access designates a starting point near the corner of Seventh and Bridge streets, just south of the bridge.

 The trail, about 8 feet wide, runs east along the John Day River.

 Its composed of compressed gravel and is sturdy enough for bicycling.

 Passing behind the Grant County Fairgrounds, the path also covers the area known as the Bob Miles Trail and goes into a recreation area used by the Church of the Nazarene.

 Crossing Third Street, the trail can be followed behind the John Day Community Garden and around the perimeter of the field. A walker could then cross Third Street again and follow the trail back to the bridge.

 The walk is nine-tenths of a mile long.

 Cosgrove, a retired high school counselor, said he and his wife Sophie, a kindergarten teacher, enjoy walking trails.

 We asked, Why dont we have something like this along the river? and decided it was because no one had been able to take the time to do it, he said.

 In research hes done, Cosgrove noted that other communities have found that trails improve their quality of life.

 He said that he and his wife and the other volunteers created the trail for the community.

 Helpers included members of the Church of the Nazarene and AmeriCorps member Courtney Nolta with volunteers she helped gather to clear the trail; Dennis Dice Construction was paid to build the trail at a reasonable cost, Cosgrove added.

 Its so pretty down there along the river, he said, adding that its a nice place to walk a dog or have a picnic.

 Cosgrove wanted to build an arched bridge that would connect the trail to the Seventh Street Complex entrance. However, because he didnt receive approval for the necessary easements, he is not planning to build a bridge at this time.

 I dont want a trail through my property, said Bill Morris, Seventh Street homeowner.

 Mary Jane Allen, who lives near the proposed bridge site, said shes not opposed to the idea. She expressed a concern about the possibility of a log jamming up at the bridge which could cause flooding.

 Also designated as the Prospector Trail is an area that runs from north of Grant Union High School, behind the school, along Canyon Creek. It comes out near the School District 3 office.

 Besides the general public, the trail is used by Humbolt Elementary School teachers and students who walk the path to access the creek for science studies.

 A pedestrian bridge along the way on Inland Street, also built by Cosgrove and others, keeps people away from vehicle traffic.

 Cosgrove sees the trail as a way to get people, especially children, out and moving.

 We could have 100 kids in the house playing video games or 100 kids out walking trails, he said. Trails encourage people to exercise.

 He expressed appreciation for the support he and his wife received from people in the community, including agencies, the fairgrounds, the county court and the school district.

 We encourage people to go out and give it a try, he said.