March 15, 2011

The Road Runners Club of America

c/o Becky McClure

108 Lawrence Avenue

Lawrence, KS  66049

RE: Runner Friendly Community Designation for Lawrence, Kansas

To whom it may concern:

The City of Lawrence supports running and provides 35 miles of dedicated multi-use recreational paths and trails for runners which are not available for use to motorized vehicles.

The City maintains these recreational paths and trails by keeping them free from trash and removing snow.  There are well lit parking lots at the trail heads with free parking, bathroom facilities, and drinking fountains, with most of the trails having markers every half mile.

The City makes safety when running a primary concern.  There are “Keep it Safe” practice guidelines posted at the trailheads, on the trail maps, listed on the City website, and in the Parks and Recreation Activities Guidebook.  The “Keep it Safe” guidelines are suggestions on how to ensure safety when running.  Lawrence also adopted a plan for the Public Works Department and developers to use to enhance street safety for runners and pedestrians.  The plan sets design standards for streets, sidewalks, and intersections to decrease the risk of a person getting hit by a vehicle.

Lawrence provides many running paths, maintains the paths, and keeps them safe.  Lawrence is truly a runner friendly community and I hope the City of Lawrence gets the official designation of a Runner Friendly Community from the Road Runners Club of America.

Sincerely,

Mike Amyx

Mayor

MA/bjw

c:       City Commission