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South Lawrence Trafficway Haskell to Iowa Length: 4 miles, one way Parking: Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, Broken Arrow Park Restrooms: At parking facilities Features of Note: Baker Wetlands, Historic Trails Marker The South Lawrence Trafficway from Haskell to Iowa passes under K-10, then turns West following the northern border of Baker Westlands. It follows the … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop, Segment 4”

Haskell Avenue Connection Length: 1.0 mile Parking: None Restrooms: None Features of Note: None This short segment connects the Haskell Rail Trail to the Baker Wetlands section of the Lawrence Loop. From the end of Haskell Rail Trail, the Loop turns East along 29th Street to connects with the sidewalk along Haskell Ave. Along Haskell, … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop, Segment 3”

The Burroughs Creek Trail and The Haskell Rail Trail Length: 1.75 miles, one way Parking: Hobbs Park to the north, Burroughs Creek Park on 15th Street, Below and North of the  23rd Street Bridge Restrooms: Burroughs Creek Park (seasonal) Features of Note: Hike Through History historic panels, Exercise stations, Little Lending Library, Lawrence Community Orchard, Playground, … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop, Segment 2”

Hobbs Park Route Length: 0.25 mile, one way Parking: Street parking along Delaware (between 8th and 9th  Sts.),Warehouse District lots, Hobbs Park Restrooms: in Hobbs Park Features of Note: Hobbs Park has a playground, a shelterhouse, and the historic John Speer Farmstead/Murphy-Bromelsick house The Lawrence Loop begins at 8th and Delaware across the street from the Poehler … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Loop, Segment 1”

By Larry Irick, FLAT Board Member Are you blessed/cursed to be an early riser? Do you sometimes head outside early in the morning for a walk or to catch a sunrise? Do you have the occasional early commitment that leaves you with a little extra time to fill before the rest of the day attacks … Continue reading “Early Morning at the Baker Wetlands”

The City of Lawrence is in the process of the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The projects included in the 2024 CIP have been identified and scored using a “prioritization matrix,” then peer reviewed by subject matter experts and recommended to the city manager by the city’s CIP Committee. Projects involving the Lawrence Loop include: … Continue reading “City of Lawrence in Process of CIP Approval”

The Walking College is a national program, administered collaboratively by AARP and American Walks, that seeks to build the capacity of local walkability and pedestrian safety advocates across to improve their communities. Each year specific states are selected to participate in the College, and Kansas was one of the states selected for 2023. AARP Kansas, … Continue reading “Chris Tilden, FLAT Board Chair, Selected as Walking College Mentor”

We had a great time at the 2023 Lawrence Juneteenth Celebration. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Friends of Lawrence Area Trails table!

Identified as a priority in  Plan 2040 , Douglas County has launched an 18-month planning process to establish the Douglas County Open Space Plan. Through this planning process the county will gather community input that will help shape the Open Space Plan. Douglas County wants to hear your vision for how open spaces could be preserved … Continue reading “Douglas County Open Spaces Planning In Progress”

If you have driven west of Iowa Street on Clinton Parkway lately you may have noticed construction beginning on the Crossing at KU. According to the project website “The Crossing at KU brings together academia, citizens and visitors to seed innovation, spur curiosity and strengthen the entire community. A mixed-use development with retail, dining and … Continue reading “New Trails at the Crossing at KU”

A newly constructed trail segment has been added to the DeVictor Park Trail. The new trail runs from the northwest side of the DeVictor Trail and extends from Stonecreek Drive to Legends Drive.

There are a number of trail options on the north shore of Clinton Lake. The North Shore Trails run along the north shore of the lake from the Overlook Park through Clinton State Park. The trails pass through oak and hickory forests and follow the lake shore. Bluebirds, beaver, foxes and coyotes can been seen. … Continue reading “Get Out There: Clinton North Shore Trails”

The Lawrence Mountain Bike Club (LMBC) was recently awarded a “Trails Accelerator Grant” from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). LMBC partnered with Friends of the Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT) and Friends of the Kaw (KAW) to apply for the grant. The project will study the potential to build new mountain bike trails in an … Continue reading “Trails Accelerator Grant Awarded for Cameron’s Bluff Trail”

Overview The George Latham trail is a 4.2 loop trail on the west side of Clinton Lake. The trail provides great views of the lake and a chance to view Bald Eagles during certain times of the year. The wide variety of terrain (flat sections, hilly and rocky sections, forested areas, open fields) makes this … Continue reading “Get Out There: George Latham Hiking Trail”

There are many exciting trail enhancements, construction, and planning slated for this year. Here is a summary of those plans. Lawrence: Lawrence Loop — North Michigan Street to Sandra Shaw Park This section will extend from North Michigan Street, to Sandra Shaw Park near Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Easement and property acquisitions are underway and are … Continue reading “A Look Ahead to 2023 Trail Plans”

The expansion of the South Lawrence Trafficway (K-10) to a 4-lane freeway from US-40 (6th St) south and east to US-59 (Iowa St) is moving forward to construction in 2024. KDOT and their design consultant, HNTB, recently presented a walkthrough of the planned improvements to the Lawrence City Commission. The construction will impact Lawrence Loop … Continue reading “KDOT Reveals Plans That Impact Trail Crossings”

The City has approved finishing the Lawrence Loop as part of the five year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Details and history are in the Multi-modal Transportation Commission Report, which is linked below. The projects are: Peterson Park to Michigan Street —  nearly completed Michigan Street to Sandra Shaw Park — 2023 & 24 8th Street … Continue reading “Plans to Complete the Lawrence Loop In Place”

The new Peterson Park to North Michigan Lawrence Loop construction is nearing completion. The tunnel under the turnpike entrance at McDonald drive is in the finishing stages. The concrete work is complete. A fence has been installed along the path near North Michigan. The velvet weeds have been removed and grass and small evergreen trees … Continue reading “Newest Lawrence Loop Construction Near Completion”

Devictor Park, in west Lawrence, is located north of 15th St. and George Williams Way. It is east of the Langston Hughes Elementary School. It is a 40 acre green-belt park that features a 2.62 mile loop trail. 2.2 miles is a paved trail and 0.4 miles is a rustic nature trail. The paved portions … Continue reading “Get Out There: DeVictor Park Trails”

The Lawrence City Commission has approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the years 2023 – 2027 that includes a number of projects for the Lawrence Loop and area trails. The projects in the CIP serve as a plan for 2023 and roadmap for future years. Trail Project Plans for 2023 Construction of the Lawrence … Continue reading “City Commission Approves Future Loop and Trail Plans”

Gorgeous trails and views await you at the KU Field Station, located just 6 miles north of Lawrence. It features 5 miles of public nature trails and is open daily dawn to dusk. You’ll want to pack water and snacks because there is a lot to explore. The Field Station contains five nature trails: Stan … Continue reading “Get Out There: KU Field Station”