PROPOSED CAPITAL TO UNIVERSITY TRAIL

Rogers Brazier, former director of Topeka Parks and Recreation, initiated the proposal of establishing a recreational trail between Lawrence and Topeka.  On May 2, the Topeka City Council unanimously passed the resolution. Previously on April 4, the Lawrence City Commission had referred the resolution to both the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Bicycle Advisory Board for their review and comments.

The City of Topeka plans to let bids this spring to pave the 4.65 miles of the Landon Nature Trail it leases from Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy (KRTC). Using volunteer labor, donations and grants, the Conservancy has developed the Landon Trail--a rails-to-trails project--from the Topeka city limits to the village of Berryton. It hopes to complete the trail from Berryton southeast to the Clinton Wildlife Area at Richland by year's end, for a total distance of 8.8 miles.

The development of the Landon Trail east and south now provides an opportunity to link up Topeka and Lawrence with a recreational pathway. A new 15-mile path would link up the Landon Trail with the SLT Hike and Bike Path (and the new Sanders Mound path) near the Clinton Lake Overlook. The path could be built on public lands surrounding Clinton Lake or a separate path could be built within the right-of-way of county roads. If this recreational trail is established, it could become part of the southern route of the American Discovery Trail--the nation's first coast-to-coast trail.

Funding may be available from Kansas Dept. of Transportation (KDOT) through the federal Transportation Enhancement Program. However, a public agency would have to development and manage it. This could be the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, Douglas County or a new entity such as a Regional Parks Authority.

The purpose of this resolution is to promote the idea of a recreational trail between the two communities. If passed, it will be presented to KDWP, the Douglas County Commission and KDOT.