PRAIRIE SPIRIT TRAIL NEARS COMPLETION. The last section (Welda-Iola) of the Prairie Spirit Trail is nearing completion and should be open for trail users this month. Once the Welda-Iola segment and the Iola section are open, this rail-trail will stretch 52 miles from Ottawa to Iola. This is the first long-distance rail-trail in Kansas to be completely finished. It should be noted that due to flooding, a bridge just north of Garnett needs to be replaced, so this requires a detour on gravel roads. A Grand Opening ceremony will be held in 2008.
LANDON TRAIL CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES. Construction is continuing in Topeka on the scenic Landon Nature Trail. Concrete is currently being poured from the northern terminus at the Brown v. Board of Education Nat'l Historic Site (east of 17th & Kansas Ave.) to about 26th Street. Construction of the rest of the trail in the city limits will have to wait until funding is made available. The City of Topeka leases this 4.6-mile segment from Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc. KRTC continues to build the Landon Trail from the Topeka city limits at Sanneman Drive southeast to the Clinton Wildlife Area. The Landon Trail stretches 38 miles from Topeka to west of the town of Pomona where it links up with Flint Hills Nature Trail now under development.
CITY APPROVES MASTERPLAN FOR BURROUGHS CREEK TRAIL. The Lawrence City Commission has approved the Masterplan for the Burroughs Creek Trail which follows the old BNSF right-of-way in eastern Lawrence just west of Haskell Ave. Now the City's utility department will commence acquisition of the corridor (there is a sewer route). Actual trail development will have to wait until funding is available. The Burroughs Creek Trail will link up with the Haskell Rail-Trail and ultimately the two trails become the five-mile Two Rivers Trail which will stretch between the Wakarusa and Kansas Rivers.
SUNFLOWER SANTA FE TRAIL. The Central Kansas Conservancy, Inc. is planning to construct a 1.25-mile segment of the Sunflower Santa Fe Trail in Marion. Upon completion, the City of Marion will maintain the trail section. This will be the first section of the trail to be opened.
KANSAS TRAILS SUMMIT REGISTRATION. All trail enthusiasts are urged to attend the Kansas Trails Summit to be held Oct. 18-19 in Lawrence. This is a great opportunity to network with other trail advocates and to obtain valuable information on trails in Kansas. Why reinvent the wheel? Be there or be square. Contact Kansas Recreatiion & Parks Association.
YELLOW BRICK ROAD RIDE. The Yellow Brick Road Ride will be held on Saturday October 6 in and around Wamego. Net proceeds will go for the WAM-SAG-MAN Trail which will stretch 16 miles between Wamego and Manhattan. There are 15-mile, 28-mile and 50.5-mile rides. For more information go to their web site.
WALNUT VALLEY METRIC RIDE. The Walnut Valley Metric Ride will be held on Sept. 30 in and around Winfield. It is sponsored by Prairie Travelers, Inc. in conjunction with the Oz Bicycle Club. There will be 35 and 65 mile rides. Registration starts at the Winfield Recreation Center at 8:00 am. PTI is building the Prairie Sunset Trail which will stretch west from Wichita to Garden Plain. Questions? E-mail.