Blog

During the Lawrence City Commission’s June 21 discussion of the City’s draft Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), several Commissioners expressed the need to include funding for construction projects that would complete the Lawrence Loop by 2027. Projects being considered in the proposed CIP include: 2023/2024 construction of the Lawrence Loop section from Michigan Street to … Continue reading “Lawrence City Commissioners Express Support for Completing the Lawrence Loop by 2027”

The City of Lawrence has identified the Lawrence Loop as one of two city projects that would benefit from a targeted funding strategy in a new report. The City is working with TFG/The Ferguson Group to develop a grant writing strategy.  TFG presented it’s Federal Funding Needs Assessment report at the June 21 City Commission meeting. … Continue reading “City of Lawrence Grant Writing Strategy Highlights Lawrence Loop”

Progress continues on the construction of the Lawrence Loop from Peterson Park to North Michigan Street. New concrete paths on either side of McDonald Drive have been poured. One of these sections begins in Peterson Park at the corner of Peterson Road and North Iowa Street and crosses Iowa before passing north of the Hallmark … Continue reading “Construction Continues on the Newest Loop Segment”

The majority of the concrete and dirt work on the new Peterson Park to North Michigan Street Lawrence Loop is complete. Work in preparation for the tunnel on the Michigan side of the turnpike is in ongoing. A crane is in place on the east side of the turnpike above the work site. Construction of … Continue reading “New Lawrence Loop Construction Update”

The Conrad & Viola McGrew Nature Preserve is a hidden gem within the city limits. At its heart is a very pretty and serene trail that winds behind houses and townhomes. Trail access from the south is just west of the corner of Bob Billings Parkway and Inverness Drive. Trail access from the north is … Continue reading “Get out there: Conrad & Viola McGrew Nature Preserve”

The City of Lawrence maintains more than 4 miles of trails at the Rock Chalk Park complex in West Lawrence. This includes almost a mile of concrete trail and more than 3 miles of gravel (aggregate) trails.

Work is progressing on the newest section of the Lawrence Loop. The new trail segment begins at Peterson Park and continues east to Michigan Street. Peterson Park is located at the intersection of Peterson Road and North Iowa Street. A concrete paver machine in now in place in Peterson Park. Work is underway north of … Continue reading “Peterson Park to Michigan Street Loop Section Under Construction”

Join us Wednesday, February 5th at Lawrence Beer Company for their next round of fundraising trivia to benefit FLAT! We have selected Star Wars for the topic, the original trilogy to be specific. Play solo or as part of a team, just $10 per person with 100% of ticket proceeds going to FLAT’s fundraising mission in … Continue reading “Feb 5 Star Wars Trivia to benefit FLAT”

By Chris Tilden, FLAT Advocacy Coordinator Engineering work, coordinated by Bartlett and West, continues on the section of the Lawrence Loop that will extend the Loop northward from the current terminus of the Burroughs Creek Trail at 11th Street in East Lawrence. A date for construction has not been set. City officials indicate discussions with the … Continue reading “Lawrence Loop Progress Report”

Join Friends of Lawrence Area Trails for a happy hour where you can meet up with other Lawrence area trail lovers. January 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E 6th Street Grab a beer and appetizers and get the latest on: –Extending the Lawrence Loop–Other area trail projects in the works –FLAT’s 2020 action … Continue reading “FLAT 2020 Kickoff Happy Hour January 9”

Save the date for FLAT’s 2020 Kickoff Party on Thursday, January 9, 5:30-7:30 at Abe and Jake’s Landing. This is a free, fun event where you can meet up with other Lawrence area outdoors lovers and talk trails. Grab a beer and appetizers and get the latest on FLAT’s 2020 action plan and how you … Continue reading “FLAT 2020 Kickoff Happy Hour January 9”

The Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park is located on site of the June 2, 1856 Battle of Black Jack.  In the battle, the abolitionist John Brown led a Free State militia in a successful attack on a proslavery militia camped at Black Jack Springs, the second campground on the Santa Fe Trail west of Missouri.

Here’s a recap of recent decisions the Lawrence City Commission made that will advance progress on completing the sections of the Lawrence Loop that run northward from Hobbs Park in East Lawrence to Constant Park at 6th and Kentucky. The commission approved funding for design of the 11th Street to Constant Park section of the … Continue reading “City Plans Lawrence Loop Extensions”

By Courtney Masterson, Native Lands LLC The Lawrence River Trail is the focus of a two year restoration project, “Protecting the Watershed of Douglas County through History, Education and Action.” Friends of the Kaw and Native Lands LLC, have partnered with the trail management team from the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club to protect and restore the forest surrounding … Continue reading “Kaw Riverbank Restoration Project Update-Fall 2019”

By Suzan Hampton, FLAT Board Member New additions at Burroughs Creek Park on 15th Street are worth a stop next time you’re heading out on the Burroughs Creek Trail (Lawrence Loop).  A partnership of community, government, higher ed, nonprofit, and local businesses launched Prairie Block at Burroughs Creek Park on June 1, National Trails Day/National … Continue reading “Water, shade, food AND inspiration on the Burroughs Creek Trail (Lawrence Loop)”

Trail advocates recently let the Lawrence City Commission know that zero planned funding to complete the Lawrence Loop in 2021-2024 was unacceptable. And the commission listened! Now we need your voice yet again. Here’s the latest: Commissioners asked a budget work group, headed by Mayor Lisa Larsen and Commissioner Stuart Boley, to reconsider Loop funding … Continue reading “City budget work group proposes restoring $700,000 funding for the Lawrence Loop in 2021-2022”

FLAT is seeking 4 changes to the proposed Lawrence and Douglas County Bike Plan Update that we believe will improve safety and increase ridership within our area bikeway system. All of these are changes to the proposed Priority and Secondary Funding Network that are on page 40 of the draft plan: Indicate a proposed tunnel or other … Continue reading “FLAT Proposes 4 Improvements to Bike Plan”

Join FLAT and other local organizations on Friday, April 26 at the family-friendly Trails that Connect Us celebration hosted by Free State Brewing Company. What: Enjoy beer, KB’s Smokehouse food, music by Signal Ridge, a brewery open house, activities for all ages, and information about local trails. The event has easy access from the Burroughs Creek … Continue reading “You are Invited to Trails that Connect Us April 26”

By Kelly Barth Many of us would like to find ways to cut down on our carbon footprint and contribute less to global warming. According to the European Cyclist Federation, bicycling is a great way to do that saying, “In total, riding your bike accounts for about 21 g of CO2 emissions per kilometer…more than … Continue reading “Bike the Loop to cut down your carbon footprint”

By Rex Buchanan, Director Emeritus, Kansas Geological Survey For the most part, the Lawrence Loop follows fairly flat topography and, like most roads, avoids abrupt changes in elevation. As a result, the trail encounters few roadcuts where the local geology is visibly exposed.  One clear exception to that, however, is the western stretch of the loop that … Continue reading “Rocks along the Loop Trail Reveal 300 Million Years of Local Geologic History”

If you are looking for a quiet nature walk close to home, check out the secluded 100-acre Lawrence Nature Park. It’s located on S. Folks Road between 6th Street and Peterson Road. The park, which is managed by the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, includes a 37-acre oak-hickory woodland, and a savanna on … Continue reading “Get Out There: Lawrence Nature Park”