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CONTACTS:
Jennifer Blattman, Environmental Planner, jblattman@marc.org or 816/701-8275
Andy Dandino, Public Affairs
Specialist, adandino@marc.org, 816/701-8322
National Trails Day 2009 will be observed on Saturday, June 6, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds to celebrate the natural heritage of the United States trail system. Traditionally held each year on the first Saturday in June, National Trails Day was established to recognize the value of recreational trails and the people involved in building and maintaining them.
National Trails Day 2009 is a great opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities and celebrate the wide range of public trails available to us all. A number of events are planned throughout the Kansas City region on June 6, including walking and biking activities, trail openings, family entertainment and educational seminars.
The Kansas City region boasts nationally recognized trails and parks systems, including MetroGreen, a partially completed 1,144-mile interconnected system of public and private open spaces, greenways and trails designed to link seven counties in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The plan covers Leavenworth, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties in Missouri.
The following are some of the National Trails Day events scheduled to take place around the Greater Kansas City area. A map of these locations is available online at www.marc.org.
CLAY COUNTY, Mo.
Location: 17201 Paradesian, Smithville, Mo.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 8:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Contact: www.claycogov.com
Hike the Smokn' Davey Trail and learn about trail safety and the site’s natural amenities. Bottled water and trail snacks will be available.
GLADSTONE, Mo.
Location: Gladstone City Hall (7010 N. Holmes)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
Contact: www.gladstone.mo.us
Description: Take a self-guided hike through the Maple Woods Nature Preserve, located at 76th and North Chestnut. Trail guides are available at the recreation office in Gladstone City Hall.
INDEPENDENCE, Mo.
2nd Annual Independence EcoFest – “It’s All About Water”
Location: Waterfall Park (4501 S. Bass Pro Drive)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 10.00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Contact: 816/325-7370; www.ci.independence.mo.us
Description: Families will participate in a variety of entertaining and educational activities. Live music, “EcoStreet” characters, exhibits and food. Guests are invited to walk the one-mile trail around the lake.
JACKSON COUNTY, Mo.
Children's Day & National Trails Day
Location: Missouri Town 1855, Fleming Park
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Adults $5.00; youth 5-13 and seniors $3.00; under 5 free
Contact: 816/503-4860; www.jacksongov.org/missouritown
Description: Missouri Town comes alive with a full offering of activities for kids. Time-honored games such as sack races, tug-of-war and pie-eating contests are just a few of the many special activities that will provide children with a unique experience. Missouri Town will also present information about the Jackson County trail systems as part of National Trails Day.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.
Location: Three Trails Corridor Trail and Hwy. 71 Bike/Ped Bridge Dedication 98th Terrace and Parkwood Ave.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m.
Description: Join the Missouri Department of Transportation, Three Trails Corridor Community Improvement District and city of Kansas City, Mo., for the dedication and opening of this new Trails KC facility. Participants will walk to the bridge and install a rain garden adjacent to the trail.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. & LEAWOOD, Kan.
Location: Indian Creek Trail (99th and Holmes)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: 816/513-7527
Description: Walk the Indian Creek Trail 1.5 miles to State Line, meeting for refreshments at Watts Mill. Local fitness and health vendors will be on site for demonstrations and giveaways. Groups will walk back around 10:30 a.m. (vans will be available for those who cannot walk back). Dogs on leash are welcome. This free event is jointly sponsored by the Leawood, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo., Parks and Recreation Departments.
LEAWOOD, Kan. & JOHNSON COUNTY PARKS
Location: Tomahawk Creek Park (119th St. between Mission and Tomahawk Creek Pkwy)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m.
Contact: 913/339-6700 x 201 or 913/782-1878; www.leawood.org; www.jcprd.com
Description: The city of Leawood and the Johnson County Parks and the Rec 50-Plus Club will host a National Trails Day walk. Meet at Tomahawk Creek Park and walk the scenic trails to I-Lan Park. Vendors will be on site at I-Lan Park for giveaways and information.
LENEXA, Kan.
Location: Black Hoof Park, 91st and Monticello Rd., Lenexa, Kan.
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Contact: www.ci.lenexa.ks.us/parks/index.html
Description: Join in a free, guided hike led by Lenexa Park Naturalist Jenny Doty. Learn about native plants, wildlife, park features and much more.
MERRIAM, Kan. PARKS & RECREATION
National Trails Day Ride & Walk
Location: Merriam Farmers’ Market (5740 Merriam Drive)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Contact: 913/322-5550; www.merriam.org/Park
Description: Meet at the Merriam Farmers’ Market at 11:00 a.m. and bike or hike the Merriam Streamway Trail system along Turkey Creek. Shop the farmers’ market for fresh produce and listen to free live entertainment. Check in with the farmers’ market supervisor for a small gift, while supplies last.
OLATHE, Kan.
Stagecoach Park (1205 N. Kansas City Road)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact: www.jcbikeclub.org
Description: Celebrate National Trails Day at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site. Following a trail ride with the Johnson County Bicycle Club at 7:30 a.m., visit the park to shop at the Olathe Farmers’ Market; take a stagecoach ride around the Mahaffie site; join in a fitness boot camp; or learn about the history of Olathe’s trails and the new Rolling Ridge and Eastbrooke trails.
RIVERSIDE, Mo. & PLATTE COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
Location: Missouri Riverfront Trail, West Trailhead (south of 9 Hwy, follow the signs)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact: www.co.platte.mo.us/parks
Description: Local officials will lead a trail walk and community groups will have displays promoting the importance of trails for health, wellness and natural resource preservation. Enroll in the Platte County Parks Challenge to win a t-shirt and water bottle.
WYANDOTTE COUNTY, Kan.
Location: Wyandotte County Lake Park – Shelter 11 (East Dr & Park Rd, Kansas City, Kan.)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Contact: 816-898-5096; http://kctrailnerds.blogspot.com; register at http://tinyurl.com/wycorsvp
Description: The Trail Nerds Association will host a trail work day at Wyandotte County Lake Park, performing trail maintenance and building new sections of trail. There will be varying levels of work from moderate to mildly strenuous. All tools will be provided. Activities may include collecting trash, moving brush, rocks, shoveling dirt, hoeing and leveling, etc. All ages are welcome. The group will be working in undeveloped forested areas; participants are encouraged to dress appropriately (long pants, boots, eye protection, hats, gloves, etc.) and bug repellant is encouraged.
For more information, please visit www.marc.org/metrogreen or contact Jennifer Blattman, Environmental Planner, jblattman@marc.org or 816/701-8275
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