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 the LRT. The project will provide a more pleasant trail experience, protections for the Kansas River, and sustainability to the trail system. 

In the first year of restoration work, over 75 species of native plants were reintroduced to the site through the help of many hundreds of community volunteers, local students and organizations. These species will generate deep, extensive root systems that anchor soil, withdraw excess nutrients, and build soil structure. They also host a great variety of pollinators and other wildlife, providing valuable habitat and a more beautiful experience for hikers and bikers. Many of the new tree species, like pawpaw and black cherry, will provide great wild forage for knowledgeable hikers in years to come.

The restoration team and volunteers have cleared invasive and nuisance plant species from over a mile of trail system and much of the trailhead. These areas were seeded last winter with native grasses to hold the soil and protect the trail. In the spring, volunteers planted hundreds of native trees and over 1,500 native wildflowers and grasses along the trail. The project crew is planting showy demonstration gardens along the boat ramp and along the trail entrances. We are now doing continued work on the invasive species, more plantings, and new informational signage thanks to support from the Westar Energy Green Team.

Trail users have responded positively to the reduced poison ivy and honeysuckle and the new blooms they are observing along the LRT. Many trail users have shown up to support the project on volunteer days. Thank you to the hiking and biking community for supporting this important work. 

Check out the restored trail on your next visit and be sure to watch for volunteer opportunities this fall. Check the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club’s website and Facebook page for the latest news on trail conditions. If you love having diverse natural areas along your trails, be sure to let the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department know that you’re grateful for its role in this work. The financial support of the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council made this project possible. 

Updates on this project are posted regularly on the Friends of the Kaw Facebook page. If you’d like to get involved with the project in the future, join the volunteer list on the Friends of the Kaw website.