RAIL-TRAILS IN AMERICA. According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Trail-O-Meter, there are now more than 13,500 miles of rail-trails open for public use. Rail-trails are perfect for walking, biking, horseback riding, and running because they are wide, level and have gentle grades. To find one near you, check out the web site.
COUNCIL GROVE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY. Construction is underway on a 3.5-mile segment of the 116-mile Flint Hills Nature Trail (FHNT) from historic Council Grove to the Kaw Heritage Park. Crushed limestone is being applied to the original rock ballast surface of the old railroad bed. It will then be graded and rolled into a compacted, smooth surface perfect for touring bicycles and wheelchairs. Bridges were completed earlier in the decade. It should be mentioned that the Kaw Heritage Park has a network of walking trails plus the Monument to the Unknown Indian, the Kaw Agency building and stone hut ruins where Kaw Indians briefly lived. A visitor's center is planned for the park.
OSAGE CITY TRAIL UPDATE. Osage City officials report that construction will start in January on the trail section of the FHNT they will be leasing from the Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc. The two-mile concrete pathway will enable Osage City residents to travel east and west through town while avoiding heavy traffic on US 56, with easy access to downtown on a connecting pathway. The City has received a federal Transportation Enhancement grant from KDOT to build the path.
PRAIRIE SPIRIT TRAIL OPENING RESCHEDULED. Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks officials report that the Welda-Iola section of the 52-mile Prairie Spirit Trail will not open until sometime after October 31. It is unclear why the opening has been delayed. Originally it was to be opened in either September or October. When opened, the Prairie Spirit Trail will be the longest fully developed rail-trail in Kansas.
SMART TRAIL FUNDING IN JEOPARDY. A federal funding shortfall may jeopardize a proposed allocation of $400,000 for the 17-mile Smart Trail being constructed between Lawrence and Olathe. According to the Lawrence Journal-World (9-26-07), Kansas may lose up to $150 million because of a sharp drop in sales tax revenues from heavy truck sales that are funneled into the federal highway fund. KDOT officials have identified projects that will be put on hold if the funding is withheld. The trail is being built in phases as funding becomes available. Eventually it will link the Cedar Creek Trail in Olathe with Lawrence's SLT Hike and Bike Path.
KANSAS TRAILS SUMMIT REGISTRATION. Registration forms for the Kansas Trails Summit are flowing into the offices of the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association. At this point it looks like there will be well over 100 attendees. The Summit will be held in Lawrence October 18-19. Download a brochure with a registration form.