Blog

The Mary’s Lake trail system includes paved and natural paths. There are four routes that include the Mary’s Lake Trail, Prairie Park Trail, Prairie Park Shortcut, which is a natural trail, and a longer Loop Trail. These trails meander through mature trees around Mary’s Lake and through the native prairie in Lawrence Prairie Park. The … Continue reading “Get Out There: Mary’s Lake Trails”

An Art Project honoring the La Yarda neighborhood will be installed in 2025 on the Lawrence Loop at the intersection of 8th and Delaware. Javy Ortiz has been selected to create the art project. He is currently in the interview and sketching phase of the project and plans to begin creating the art in the … Continue reading “Javy Ortiz Selected as La Yarda Public Artist”

La Yarda was a housing unit built for Mexican American railroad workers in Lawrence, Kansas from 1920-51. It was located just east of 8th and Delaware Streets near the newest segment of the Lawrence Loop, which runs from the Santa Fe Depot to the intersection of 8th and Delaware. Foundations of the buildings are still … Continue reading “Finding La Yarda Exhibit with Art Along the Loop”

The newest segment of the Lawrence Loop was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 31st, 2024. The segment runs begins at the Santa Fe Depot and continues to the intersection of 8th and Delaware Streets. It is mile 0 of the Lawrence Loop and is the path’s trailhead. Construction of the $245,755.00 … Continue reading “New Segment of the Lawrence Loop Ribbon Cutting”

The newest segment of the Lawrence Loop is now open and free of construction materials. The segment runs from the Santa Fe Depot to 8th Street. The Lawrence Loop trailhead begins at the Depot. The new construction extends Lawrence Loop Segment 1. The Loop Segment 1 runs from the Depot, through the Arts District along Delaware … Continue reading “New Loop Segment Open”

There is major construction progress on the newest loop segment, which runs from the Santa Fe Depot to 8th Street. The Loop trailhead will be at the Depot. The new construction extends Lawrence Loop Segment 1. The Loop Segment 1 runs through the Arts District along Delaware Street then Hobbs Park. The concrete has been … Continue reading “Big Progress on the New Loop Segment”

Construction has begun on the newest segment of the Lawrence Loop. The construction runs from 8th to 7th Streets and ends at the Santa Fe Station. The work began this week and is expected to be completed by early summer. Forms have been built in preparation for concrete. The forms run just inside of the … Continue reading “Construction Has Begun”

Construction on the newest segment of the Lawrence Loop is set to begin soon. The trail will span from 8th and Delaware St., where the Loop currently ends, to the Sante Fe Depot. The trail will run parallel with the railroad tracks. Once complete the Lawrence Loop Trailhead will be at the Depot. Locates are … Continue reading “Lawrence Loop: 8th St to Sante Fe Depot Construction”

Freinds of Lawrence Area Trails is pleased to annonce that at the April 9th FLAT Board Meeting we welcomed new board members, Joshua Falleaf, Eric Nelson, Marcos Markoulatos, Jared Gab and Sybil Gibbs. (Sybil is not pictured). Joshua Falleaf, is a Lenape (Delaware Tribe of Indians), and has lived in Lawrence for 15 years and … Continue reading “FLAT Welcomes New Board Members”

Plan to stop by the FLAT table at these upcoming events in 2024: Trails that Connect US April 25th, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Free State Bottling Facility, 1927 Moodie Rd. Rain Date: April 26th, 5:00pm – 8:00pm Juneteeth ’24 June 15th, 8:00am – 5:00pm, South Park Lawrence Community Bike Ride July 20th, 8:00am – 11:00am, Lawrence … Continue reading “2024 Events”

Planning is underway for the Trails that Connect Us ’24 event. The event will be an open house at the Free State’s Eastside Bottling Facility, 1927 Moodie Road on Thursday, April 25th, 5:00-8pm. The rain date, if needed, will be Friday, April 26th at the same time. There will be food trucks, music and beer. … Continue reading “Planning Underway for Trails that Connect Us ’24”

At the Lawrence City Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 5th the commission approved a construction bid for a new segment of the Lawrence Loop. The segment will run from the Santa Fe depot to the intersection of 8th and Delaware. It will pass behind the Quonset hut building across the street from the Poehler Lofts … Continue reading “Construction Bid Awarded for the Next Loop Segment”

The Lawrence City Commission voted at it’s regular meeting on February 16th not to proceed with an application for a RAISE grant to pursue funding for bike and pedestrian connections through downtown Lawrence. They decided against approving a grant proposal that could have covered the construction of an incomplete section of the Lawrence Loop near … Continue reading “City Commission Votes Against RAISE Grant Application”

FLAT recognizes that trails can connect us in many ways. We are excited about this project to help connect us to an important piece of Lawrence history! The Lawrence Arts Center, in collaboration with a number of community partners, is seeking a professional artist or artist teams to develop a public work of art to … Continue reading “La Yarda Public Artwork Submission Open”

General Information Length: Approximately 30 miles of trails, with plenty of out-and-back or loop options. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Season: Late Fall and Winter Gear Needed: Standard hiking gear. Many sections of this trail are not heavily used and can be a bit overgrown, so long sleeves and pants are recommended. Facilities: Pit toilets are … Continue reading “Get Out There: Clinton South Shore Trails”

Sandra Shaw Park to Burcham Park Length: 1 mile Parking: Burcham Park Restrooms: Burcham Park (seasonal) This segment of the Lawrence Loop is a scenic path that starts at Sandra Shaw Community Health Park. It goes around a small pond and runs alongside the Kansas River. You can see downtown Lawrence from this section. The trail passes … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop: Segment 9”

North Kasold to Michigan St Length: 2.5 miles Parking: None Restrooms: None Segment 8 of the Lawrence Loop trail starts south of I-70 on North Kasold. It continues south to Peterson Road. The trail turns at Peterson Road and continues to Peterson Park. The trail then passes through the Park, across North Iowa, and continues North of the … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop: Segment 8”

Rock Chalk Park and Baldwin Creek Length: 2 miles Parking: Rock Chalk Park Restrooms: Sports Pavilion at Rock Chalk Park The Lawrence Loop begins at Rock Chalk Park Drive, near LMH Health West. It includes the Rock Chalk Park and Baldwin Creek trail sections. The section of the trail goes through a pretty valley with trees, fields, and … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop: Segment 7”

South Lawrence Trafficway (Arboretum to Rock Chalk Park) Length: 4.5 miles Parking: Lawrence Arboretum, Rock Chalk Park Restrooms: Lawrence Arboretum (seasonal), Sports Pavilion at Rock Chalk Park The South Lawrence Trafficway (Arboretum to Rock Chalk Park) is a part of the Lawrence Loop. This segment of the Loop goes from the Arboretum to Rock Chalk Park. This section … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop: Segment 6”

South Lawrence Trafficway Iowa street to the Lawrence Arboretum Length: 4 miles Parking: Southwind Theater, Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area Restrooms: None The South Lawrence Trafficway Iowa street to Arboretum segment of the Lawrence Loop runs along Yankee Tank Creek to 1200 Rd. It then heads North along Kasold Dr before heading west to the K-10 intersection. … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop: Segment 5”