History:

De Soto, Missouri is a small town located in eastern Missouri, approximately 50 miles south of St. Louis. De Soto, originally part of the Louisiana Territory, was sold to the United States in 1803 and incorporated in 1869. Nestled between rolling hills and creeks, the area now known as De Soto was deemed both a practical and picturesque place to start a town. It is named after Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto and nicknamed “Fountain City” because of its many artesian wells. Shoemaking and railroad commerce were historically central to De Soto’s economy. De Soto has had a strong railroad presence from the 1851 beginnings of the Iron Mountain and Southern Railway to today’s continued presence of Union Pacific Railroad.

De Soto was built around the railroad tracks that run through the eastern edge of the town. As a result, De Soto’s historic center of commerce, Main Street, is a long linear row of storefronts. De Soto has a street grid that largely remains intact today. Unfortunately, there are few sidewalks in the majority single-family home neighborhoods. The fairly narrow street widths help slow traffic, amd therefore, are great for bicycling. The absence of sidewalks and bicycle facilities on many streets discourage walking and biking.

• De Soto has a population of approximately 6,500 people and the population has remained fairly steady for the past 10 years.
• Nearly 97% percent of the residents are Caucasian.
• The median household income in De Soto is approximately $30,725.
• The poverty rate is 15%, which is higher than the state percentage of 12%.
• Approximately 20% of De Soto residents work in educational, health, and social services; approximately 14% work in manufacturing; approximately 13% work in construction; and approximately 13% work in retail.

• City of De Soto
• Get Healthy De Soto

Get Healthy De Soto Featured on KSDK - June, 2009
KSDK Channel 5 did a story highlighting Get Healthy De Soto's good work.
Watch the video on Trailnet's blog

De Soto Launches Farmers Market - May, 2009
Trailnet worked with Get Healthy De Soto to launch the market on May 9, 2009. Originally, the Jefferson County Health Department had concerns about operating the farmers' market without posing health hazards to residents. Trailnet and Get Healthy De Soto were able to work with the Health Department to develop rules and regulations for the market that would satisfy the Health Department's concerns and lead to a thriving farmers' market for De Soto.

The year's worth of planning also included finding sponsors for the market, advertising, securing Market Masters, and most importantly, finding vendors. Trailnet and Get Healthy De Soto worked with Missouri Extension to hold a workshop for potential vendors which proved a success - over 30 potential vendors were in attendance.
Learn More on Trailnet's blog

De Soto Adopts Complete Streets Policy - November, 2008
Trailnet worked with the city of De Soto to develop a Complete Streets ordinance as one of the first communities in the state to adopt this important legislation. Complete Streets is an innovative solution to the obesity epidemic, a problem these communities are taking a stand against at the policy level. The policy also supports increased independence of the aging population and safe routes for children walking or biking to school. The policy adopted states that each community will design, build, and maintain streets in a manner that accommodates safe and contiguous travel for all users – seniors, persons with disabilities, children, pedestrians, cyclists, transit-users, and cars.
Learn More on Trailnet's blog

Get Healthy De Soto Receives Trailnet Active Living Award - September, 2008
The Trailnet Active Living Awards celebrate the Individuals, Communities and Organizations who are engaged in unique and sustainable efforts to incorporate physical activity in everyday living. Get Healthy De Soto was the recipient of the 2008 Healthy Communities Award.
Learn more