MARC News
Celebrate National Trails Day on June 2
May 10, 2007
Now in its 15th year, National Trails Day encourages people to
discover, learn and exercise in nearby parks and natural sites. These communities
throughout the MARC region will host events for National Trails Day on June
2, 2007.
National Trails Day Events 2007
- Blue Springs, Mo.
Location: Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
(600 NW Vesper)
Date/Time: Friday, June 1, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Contact: Marty Bears, 816/228-0181
Description: A mid-morning walk around Rotary Park Lake will take place at
10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and an opportunity to visit with representatives
of Kansas City area trails. Pre-registration required for lunch.
- Clay County, Mo.
Location: Smokn’ Davey Trailhead (Two miles east of
169 Highway on W Highway, over the
W Highway Bridge at Smithville Lake)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Contact: 816/407-3400
Description: Naturalists will guide groups on the newly constructed 5-mile
Smokn’ Davey Trail, a part of the 23-mile trail system along the shoreline
of Smithville Lake. Refreshments will be provided.
- Gladstone, Mo.
Location: Maple Woods Nature Preserve
(2701 NE 76th Street)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Contact: Tina Spallo, 816/436-2200
Description: Self-guided tour through Maple Woods Nature Preserve (76th Street
and N. Chestnut). This forest is the largest virgin stand of Sugar Maples
west of the Mississippi.
- Independence, Mo.
Location: George Owens Nature Park
(1601 S. Speck)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Contact: Call 816-325-6254 for more information
Description: Do you know a Nuthatch from a Chickadee? Join in the “Birding
Blitz” by learning about the natural beauty of our feathered friends
while celebrating National Trails Day. This hike will cover birdwatching
topics including proper behavior, ethics, identification and bird calls.
Please bring binoculars and wear a sturdy pair of hiking shoes.
- Jackson County, Mo.
Location: Kemper Outdoor Education Center at Lake Jacomo in Fleming Park
(8201 Jasper Bell Road, Blue Springs, Mo.)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Contact: Susan Walsh, 816/229-8980 ext. 24
Description: Take a guided hike on the Habitat Trail (about 1/2 mile) to
see wetlands, tall-grass prairie, cactus glade and woodland ecosystems. The
event includes nature programs, outdoor club booths and demos, prizes and
more.
- Johnson County, Kan. and Merriam, Kan.
Location: Turkey Creek Streamway, Werner Park (5740 Merriam Drive)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Contact: Susan Hayden, 913/322-5556
Description: Johnson County and the City of Merriam are co-sponsoring the
dedication of the Turkey Creek Streamway trail extension on Saturday, June
2. The ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Werner Park. After the dedication,
bicycle riders will head south on the trail for a family bike ride (approx.
2.75 miles to 75th St. or 1.5 miles to Chatlain Park. Ride is 3 to 6 miles
round trip). Walkers will head north on the new trail extension (approx.
0.75 mile, 1.5 miles round trip). Free commemorative water bottles will be
given to the first 200 participants. Donations to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
will be accepted. Attendees can shop the Merriam Farmers’ Market at
the Marketplace for fresh produce and enjoy
free entertainment.
- Kansas City, Mo.
Location: Indian Creek Trail (99th & Holmes)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Marci Jones, 816/513-7530
Description: Groups will walk the Indian Creek Trail 1.5 miles to State Line
for refreshments at Watts Mill. Participants can walk or take a shuttle back
to their starting points. Local fitness and health vendors will be on site
for demonstrations and giveaways. This event is free to the public.
Kansas City, Mo.
Location: Theis Park, Wheeler Amphitheatre
(Oak Street and 47th Street)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Contact: Call 816-523-2991 for more information.
Web Site: www.bccp.org
Description: “Follow the Flags” to visit Kansas City’s finest
cultural destinations: the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, the
Kansas City Art Institute, the H & R Block ArtSpace, the Kansas City Plaza
Branch Library, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Kansas City Sculpture Park,
the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology, the Ewing and
Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and
the Kansas City Toy and Miniature Museum. Special activities and attractions
will be offered at most of these locations. Enjoy free special entertainment
and learn more about Kansas City’s Cultural Corridor in Theis Mall
along Brush Creek at the Wheeler Amphitheatre east of Oak Street. Food vendors
will also be on site. This event is sponsored by Brush Creek Community Partners
and several of its members, and by the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department.
- Kearney, Mo.
Location: Jesse James Park (North Highway 33
in Kearney, Mo.)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Contact: Eric Marshall, 816/903-4724
Description: Walkers and bikers will be able to enjoy Kearney’s newest
trail. Located on the scenic Jesse James Festival Grounds, the trail is approximately
1.7 miles long. Refreshments will be provided.
- Leawood, Kan.
Location: Indian Creek Trail (Leawood City Park, 10601 Lee Blvd., shelters
C and D)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Lindsay Youle, 913/339-6700 ext. 158
Description: Groups will walk the Indian Creek Trail 1.5 miles to State Line
for refreshments at Watts Mill. Participants can walk or take a shuttle back
to their starting points. Local fitness and health vendors will be on site
for demonstrations and giveaways. This event is free to the public.
- Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Location: Legacy Park Walking/Biking Trail
(North Shelter Area, Blackwell Parkway and Coneflower Road)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Contact: Cheryl Martin, 816/969-1556
Description: Families are encouraged to come out and enjoy the new Legacy
Park walking/hiking trail. The hike will begin at the north shelter area
off of Coneflower Drive and Blackwell Parkway. Light refreshments will be
available. The new trail is 4.5 miles in length, and is a circular trail
that runs through Legacy Park. Water is available at the trailhead but not
along the trail; attendees are advised to bring a water bottle.
- Olathe, Kan.
Location: Stagecoach Park (1205 N. Kansas City Road, Olathe, Ks.)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Contact: Brad Clay, 913/971-6618
Description: This year’s theme is “Weaving through the Diversity
of our Community.” Walk along the trail at Stagecoach Park and then join
in the second annual Americana Jubilee right across the street at the Mahaffie
Stagecoach Stop and Farm. This event, which coincides with Olathe’s
Sesquicentennial festivities, will acknowledge and celebrate the diverse
multicultural heritage of Olathe through entertainment, food and activities.
- Platte County, Mo. and Riverside, Mo.
Location: E.H. Young Riverfront Park (1001 NW Argosy Parkway, Riverside,
Mo.)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 2, 10:00 a.m.–noon
Contact: Brian Nowotny, 816/858-3419
Description: Celebrate National Trails Day at E.H. Young Riverfront Park,
located along the future Missouri Riverfront Trail. Local officials will
lead a trail walk, and various community groups will have displays promoting
the importance of trails for health and wellness and natural resource preservation.
Free goodie backpacks will be given to the first 100 participants.
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