Kansas Trail News: May 25, 2012

Kansas Trail News for May 25, 2012 from Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy:

Central Kansas Conservancy Receives Sunflower Grant

Central Kansas Conservancy recently received a Sunflower Foundation grant for $27,000 to build the Meadowlark Trail north from Hess Park in McPherson to Hilton for a distance of 3.5 miles. It was matched by a Wichita rails-to-trails supporter. Also, crushed limestone screenings should be installed for one mile on the Sunflower Santa Fe Trail west from Galva to McPherson this summer.

Pomona Section Of Flint Hills Trail Opens

Owen Harbinson, Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy Division Superintendent for the Marais Des Cygnes Division reports, “We now have one mile of trail open with screenings on the west edge of Ottawa, and two miles open with screenings near Pomona. The Ottawa trail is from Maple St. mile post 354.62 to the Marias des Cygnes bridge mile post 355.6. The Pomona trail is from Florida Road mile post 362.7 to Colorado rd. mile post 364.75.”

A 3.5-mile section of the FHNT recently opened from Quenemo at K-68 northwest to Ratner Rd. That segment follows scenic wooded Salt Creek Valley and passes by recreated wetlands. Trail builders would now like the residents of Quenemo and Pomona to get excited about the trail project and help build the remaining trail segment between the two towns.

Sunflower Rail-Trails Meeting On National Trails Day

Sunflower Rail-Trail Conservancy will be holding its early summer meeting on Saturday, June 2 in downtown Iola. All trails enthusiasts are invited to attend the meeting which will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the offices of Thrive Allen County (12 West Jackson Ave.). After introductions, the meeting will temporarily adjourn to El Chorro restaurant across the square. After the meeting adjourns around 2:30 p.m. there will be field trip to the Prairie Spirit Trail Extension.

Pomona Trails May Connect With Flint Hills And Landon Nature Trails

The US Army Corp Engineers Pomona Lake Region is interested in holding discussions with Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy about a trail interconnect plan to current, and planned federal (and state) parks and trails at Pomona Lake. Pomona Lake will be the natural “crossroads” for the Landon and Flint Hills Nature Trails. It’s possible that the FHNT could connect with Pomona State Park via a 1/2 mile path along K-368 and COE land along Coon Creek gets within 1/2 mile of the Landon Nature Trail at Michigan Valley.

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Visitor Center Opens

The new $6 million visitor center at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve has opened to the public. It houses interpretive displays along with education and office facilities. “The low-profile visitor center with its grassed over roof was designed to be visually unobtrusive on the prairie landscape and to architecturally mesh with nearby historic buildings through the use of similar stonework. The energy efficient building was built using green construction techniques.” Exhibits will be installed at later date.

Screenings Down From Council Grove To Turnpike

Scott Allen, Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy Superintendent for the Neosho Valley Division reports that crushed limestone screenings have been installed on the Flint Hills Nature Trail from Council Grove east about 23 miles to the Kansas Turnpike. Once railings are installed on the Rock Creek Bridge and signs are installed, the trail will be open to bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and equestrians.

Historic Hays House Reopens

The historic 1857 Hays House in Council Grove has reopened after undergoing extensive remodeling after a fire destroyed the kitchen in December. Twenty-five community members purchased the restaurant and hired former executive chef and general manager Rick Paul. The Hays House served many travelers along the Santa Fe Trail including Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, Jesse James, George Armstrong Custer and Seth Hayes, great-grandson of Daniel Boone. It is the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi in continuous operation.

Walking The Best Medicine

“Just 30 minutes of walking per day lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s by 50 percent, lessens arthritis pain by 47 percent, reduces chances of developing diabetes by 58 percent, lowers anxiety and depression by 48 percent, reduces risk of death by 23 percent and is the best therapy for reducing fatigue and improving quality of life.” ~Dr. Mike Evans

Kansas Trail News is published by Clark H. Coan, Public Information Specialist for Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc., P.O. Box 44-2043, Lawrence, KS 66044, 785-842-3458. Reprinted with permission. If you have any trail news you’d like to share, please contact us.

Post tags: Kansas Trail News