Advocates in the on-going effort to develop a comprehensive state trails plan, including expansion and improvement of all types of recreational trails, will host a one-day workshop October 19 in Lawrence.
The event - Kansas Trails Summit: Vision, Planning and Building – is scheduled for the Lawrence Holidome and sponsored by the Kansas Recreation and Park Association (Park and Natural Resource Branch) in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and other state recreational trail groups.
The event is designed for land managers, designers, trail builders and maintainers, trail advocates and community decision-makers and embraces all users: walkers/hikers, cyclists, equestrians, canoe and kayakers, off-road motorized vehicle riders and those with disabilities.
The workshop schedule will include 14 sessions covering three tracks of educational opportunities – (1) Vision, (2) Planning along with (3) Building and Maintenance. There will be special presentations on rail-trail and urban trail development plus a session on seeking grants and outside funding opportunities.
Sid Stevenson, professor in the division of recreational services at Kansas State University, will lead focus group discussions designed to develop a comprehensive state trails plan for Kansas. An off-site equipment demonstration is also scheduled as part of the activities.
Registration will be $25 per person and include lunch. Information on how to register for the Kansas Trails Summit, along with session descriptions, will be available in the near future.
Among other groups or organizations involved in the planning and presentation of the Kansas Trails Summit are the Kansas Trails Council, Kansas Whitewater Association, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy, Kansas Department of Commerce (Div. of Tourism) and Kansas Horse Council along with Lawrence Parks and Recreation, Topeka Parks And Recreation and Johnson Country Parks and Recreation District.
For more information, contact Doug Vance, executive director of KRPA, or Sid Stevenson.