TAOPI -- Harold Eischens has agreed to monitor the Shooting Star Recreation Trail.

The Taopi man will watch over the trail from Taopi to LeRoy.

According to the announcement by Prairie Visions, Eischens will inform volunteers when their services are needed to perform maintenance work along the trail route at conspicuous locations.

Officials felt certain points along the route, such as the "Y" intersection at Mower County Highway 11 and Minnesota Highway 56, were becoming unsightly.

Now, Eischens is observing where grass and weeds grow among the new trees planted and will have the unsightly growths removed.

The Shooting Star roadside sign along state Highway 56 was also the victim of tall grass and weeds, which at times obscured passing motorists ability to adequately read the sign.

Another prime target of Eischens' attention is the informational kiosk and parking area at the Taopi Prairie site.

Also the Taopi Cemetery's right-of-way along state Highway 56, including the new parking lot, is a favorite stoping/starting point for bikers along the Shooting Star trail.

It is being regularly maintained for all to see.

On May 3, the new trailhead at Taopi was dedicated.

The trail now stretches 10.5 miles from Taopi through Lake Louise State Park and to the LeRoy city limits.

New official Shooting Star Bike trail T-shirts are being sold for $10. For information about purchasing a shirt, call 582-3358.

The fourth annual Prairie Visions Bike Ride across Mower County is scheduled to begin 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12, in Rose Creek, during the 2003 Rose Creek Fun Days celebration. More details about the ride will be announced later.

The Shooting Star Recreation Trail is a project of Prairie Visions, a joint ventures of the communities of Rose Creek, Adams, Taopi and LeRoy to enhance the quality of life along state Highway 56 in Mower County.