About Us

Friends of Lawrence Area Trails is a nonprofit organization devoted to developing, promoting and maintaining a robust, accessible trails system serving the diverse people and communities of Douglas County and Northeast Kansas.

Our three primary roles are to raise funds for trail construction, build a community of trails supporters, and advocate for city, county and state investment in trails.

Vision

We envision a time when Lawrence area residents and visitors of all ages and abilities have convenient access to a trail system that delivers healthy people, economic growth and a green future.

Goals

  • Complete the Lawrence Loop, the 22 mile paved trail that will eventually circle the city.
  • Expand the Lawrence area trail network–paved, crushed gravel and dirt trails–for the benefit of all.
  • Build a strong local community of trail lovers, and act as its collective voice.

We are a 501(c)(3) organization. Please visit the Donate page located under the Support Flat tab on our website to make your tax-deductible contribution to Friends of Lawrence Area Trails.


Board of Directors

Chris Tilden

Chris Tilden

Chair

Passionate about the outdoors and getting people in Northeast Kansas outdoors. Engaged in many initiatives to promote cycling, running, walking, and all kinds of outdoor activities. Most mornings well before sunrise you’ll find him out running the roads and trails of Lawrence. Public health professional. Works at the University of Kansas.

Larry Irick

Larry Irick

Secretary

Avid road and gravel cyclist, having spent many years riding Douglas County roads. Outdoor travel adventurer. Spent his childhood in Baldwin City and has lived in Lawrence since 2003. Retired Westar Energy vice president and general counsel.

Christina Gentry

Christina Gentry

Member

Hello, my name is Christina Gentry (She/ Her /Hers ) and I've been an active Lawrence community resident for over 15 years. My five children and I enjoy athletic activities, especially those played during warmer weather. We have found new joy in discovering nature in trails that exist here. My professional stewardship moves me to strive for creating equitable outcomes for our marginalized identities surviving in Douglas County. I therefore look to make all of our community an accessible and sustainable environment for everyone that calls Lawrence " home".

Judith Gipp

Judith Gipp

Member

Hunkpapa Lakota from the Standing Rock Reservation in North & South Dakota. A graduate of KU and the University of New Mexico with a focus is in Health, Sport and Exercise Science. Judith is an advocate for recreation, fitness and sport opportunities for all. She has lived in Lawrence for over 20 years and is excited to be part of the FLAT Team.

Susan Patton

Susan Patton

Communication Coordinator

As Communication Coordinator I represent FLAT on social media and I am responsible for the website and the FLAT newsletters. My background is design. I am a retired from KU where I was a User Experience / User Interface Designer. I am passionate about walking and capturing the beauty of the world through the lens of my camera. I am proud to say that I’ve walked and photographed the entire Lawrence Loop.

History

Friends of Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT) is the result of many years of effort by various groups throughout the Lawrence area, including LiveWell Lawrence.

In 2017, community members dedicated to the completion of the Lawrence Loop decided to create an organization to focus on  fundraising, coordinating, and advocating for the development of a trails network in the region. Friends of Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT) is a result of this decision.

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following to our successful start-up:

Douglas County Community Foundation
Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department
LiveWell Lawrence
The Sunflower Foundation