Clark Coan of Sunflower Recreational Trails sent over the following news on Kansas trails:
Osawatomie To Ottawa Trail Section Nearing Completion
Doug Walker, superintendent of the Osawatomie Division of Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy reports the following: The bridge on the Flint Hills Nature Trail which had the railing burned by vandals last October was vandalized again last week with railing posts bent, railing broken and bent. (see photo) Two more miles of screenings were laid two weeks ago and volunteers installed floor planking on the long bridge. Trucks can now cross this bridge to lay screenings the other three miles to Ottawa. When the weather clears the division hopes to start hauling screenings again. It is expected the trail section will be completed this fall.
Mighty Wakarusa River Bridge Rebuilt
John Purvis, superintendent of the Landon Trail Division of Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy reports that the 240-foot–long Wakarusa River Bridge in scenic Clinton Wildlife Area was rebuilt in early August by volunteers. This is the longest bridge on the 38-mile Landon Nature Trail which stretches between Topeka and Pomona. The wooden deck ties were greatly decayed with many missing, so the wood was replaced or reinforced. The railroad trestle bridge was covered with six inches of concrete which was reinforced with both highway mesh and steel rods. Only one bridge (Croco Bridge) in Shawnee County remains to be decked and railed. The remaining four miles in Shawnee County have had development completed to the point of being ready to open. Center steel bollards are installed, cross boards and wooden bollards with sign backs installed and all bridges are decked with concrete. All that remains to open the 95% of the trail remaining Shawnee County is bridge railings. Numerous steel culverts have been installed or replaced and a forest of fallen and obstructing trees trimmed or removed. Plans call for the trail in Shawnee County to be completed this fall.
Burroughs Creek Trail Update
Lawrence Park Superintendent Mark Hecker reports that it will open bids for construction of the Burroughs Creek Trail on September 1 and award the contract on September 15. The notice to proceed with construction is September 16 and the construction deadline is December 31, 2009. James Grauerholtz, the principal advocate for the trail, believes the trail will actually be completed by Thanksgiving. He is now working on securing support for a “People’s Bridge” which would span the Kaw River and link the trail with the Kansas River Levee Trail. The ultimate goal is to create a river-to-river trail stretching from the Kansas River to the Wakarusa River and renaming it the Two Rivers Trail.
Also, a note from Brent Hall at the Central Kansas Conservancy:
Prairie Trail Scenic Byway Ride + the Falun Ride = a weekend of cycling fun! October 10 & 11, 2009
Enjoy 2 rides for the price of 1.
On Saturday, October 10th, the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway Ride starts & ends in Canton, KS, and offers distances of 24 or 54 miles with SAG support provided by the local Amateur Radio Club. Enjoy a ride through some beautiful hill country and enjoy a break at the halfway point in Lindsborg where you can take in the festivities of their Svensk Hyllningsfest. After a lunch in Canton, many riders may choose to drive to Lindsborg to continue the fun as well as rest up for Sunday’s ride.
On Sunday, October 11th, you can enjoy the traditional Falun ride. This 33 mile ride starts & ends in Lindsborg, passing through Falun and nearing Coronado Heights. Again, SAG support is provided by the local Amateur Radio Club.
Joining a new bicycling tradition (Prairie Trail Scenic Byway Ride) with an old one (the Falun Ride), gives local and out-of-town cycling enthusiasts two great days of riding, and funds raised benefit recreational trail development.
Register at the Canton City Park, on W. Park Street, Canton, Kansas. Phone: (620) 241-8101 or (800) 324-8022, or visit our website at www.centralkansastrails.org to download a registration form to fill out and mail in (sorry, no online registration is available).
Thanks for the updates and trail news!
