A $7,000 grant from special federal stimulus funds allocated to the Community Development Block Grant program was recently approved by the Lawrence City Commission for Tenants to Homeowners to create a community green space project at its community land trust housing development at 1601 Bullene Avenue in eastern Lawrence. This project abuts the new Burroughs Creek Trail and will provide trail access to the neighborhood. A city engineer reports that construction on the trail should begin in August and be completed by the end of the year.
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board is holding a hearing on 8 July in Washington on the “;impact, effectiveness and future of rail banking&rdquo. Interested parties can submit comments in advance online by going to www.stb.dot.gov and clicking on the E-Filing link. Without railbanking there would be virtually no rail-trails in Kansas. That is because antiquated state railroad law provides for the reversion of abandoned rail corridors to adjacent landowners. That said the STB rules could be improved. For example, they could require that railroads railbank out-of-service lines if a trail manager is willing to assume all financial responsibility and makes a reasonable offer for any bridges or land held in fee simple (most of the corridors in Kansas are only rights-of-way or easements). Currently, railroads are not required to railbank lines and can simply let corridors revert to adjacent landowners. That means invaluable transportation corridors are lost forever.
A not-for-profit grassroots organization called the Trail Nerds Association which promotes sustainable off-pavement activities such as trail running, ultra marathons, hiking and fast packing in the Kansas City area and Greater Midwest, is organizing a National Trails Day event at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas City, Kansas. Participants will be performing much-needed trail maintenance on the various trails around the lake and over 50 people are expected. The trail work party will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 6 June from Shelter 11 (east side of the dam). Lunch will be provided. Below is more information (taken from a news release):
There will be varying levels of work from moderate to mildly strenuous. Activities may include collecting trash, moving brush, rocks, shoveling dirt, hoeing and leveling, etc. All ages are welcome and there should be something for everyone. All tools will be provided. No power tools will be needed. All participants are encouraged to dress appropriately, wearing long pants, leather boots, eye protection, hats, gloves etc. We will be working in undeveloped forested areas so bug repellant is encouraged. It is possible to be exposed to ticks and poison ivy. All participants will be required to sign a participation release of liability waiver.
To register or get additional information, contact Sam Kevern at 816-898-5096, skevern@genesisstructures.com or Jim Megerson 913-226-7077, jim.megerson@larsonbinkley.com
Come walk a scenic recreational trail in Leawood from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on 6 June. The two-mile walk will begin in Tomahawk Creek Park is located at 119th Street between Mission and Tomahawk Creek Parkway and end at I-Lan Park located at 126th Street and Nall Avenue. This event is free to the public. Upon ending, there will be healthy snacks and information from health-focused vendors and city agencies.
A dedication ceremony scheduled for National Trails Day (6 June) on the Landon Trail has been postponed until work on the newest trail segment has been completely finished. Topeka Parks & Recreation Director Terry Bertels will provide an update when the opening is rescheduled which will be relayed to you via Kansas Trails News.