MARC News

Celebrate National Trails Day on June 6

May 22, 2009

Communities around the Greater Kansas City region will celebrate National Trails Day 2009 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.

Local cities and municipalities will mark National Trails Day by holding public events such as walking and biking activities, trail openings, family entertainment and educational seminars. The day’s celebrations can be found on this Google map and are listed below.

View 2009 Trails Day Events in a larger map

These National Trails Day events and many others throughout the region provide great opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities and celebrate the wide range of public trails available to the public.

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.

National Trails Day Events 2009

• 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 6, 9 a.m.–noon
  Description: 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: Maple Woods Nature Preserve (2701 NE 76th Street)
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m.-noon
  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 a.m.-2 p.m.
  Contact: 816/325-7370
  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 (East side of Lake Jacomo)
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  Contact: 816/503-4860
  Description: Missouri Town comes alive with a full offering of activities just 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.
  
• Johnson County, Kan. and Merriam, Kan.
  Location: Turkey Creek Streamway, Werner Park (5740 Merriam Drive)
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  Contact: 913/322-5550
  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.
• Kansas City, Mo.
  Location: Indian Creek Trail (99th & Holmes)
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9 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.
  Location: Tomahawk Creek Trail
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m.
  Contact: 913/339-6700 ext. 201
  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.
• Lenexa, Kan.
  Location:Black Hoof Park, 91st and Monticello Rd., Lenexa, Kan.
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
  Description: Join in a free, guided hike led by Lenexa Park Naturalist Jenny Doty. Learn about native plants, wildlife, park features and much more.
• Olathe, Kan.
  Location: Stagecoach Park (1205 N. Kansas City Road, Olathe, Ks.)
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 7:30 a.m. - noon p.m.
  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.
• Platte County, Mo. and Riverside, Mo.
  Location: Missouri Riverfront Trail, West Trailhead (south of 9 Hwy, follow the signs)
  Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.–noon
  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
  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, contact Jennifer Blattman, Environmental Planner, jblattman@marc.org or 816/701-8275.

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