Douglas County Public Works closed the Lawrence Loop trail near the Baker Wetlands from Naismith Creek to Haskell Avenue to add warning indicators near uneven concrete joints after reports of crashes by several local cyclists.

Public Works added bright yellow paint and white vertical posts along the uneven joints. We commend the county’s Public Works department for taking quick action after report of the most recent crash. We still urge users of the trail (particularly cyclists) to exercise caution on this section of the trail. The discontinuity between joints is not fully alleviated, and the posts mean the trail will be somewhat narrower, so fast-moving bikes should be careful.

We believe these measures are considered a short-term solution to the problem, but more permanent repairs are likely to be costly, which therefore may require funding approval from the Douglas County Commission as part of its capital improvement planning efforts. This damage highlights the importance of ongoing assessment of trail conditions to ensure adequate maintenance and safe trail conditions. FLAT’s recent community engagement report noted that residents have concerns about pavement cracks, snow/ice accumulation on trails, debris, and vegetation growth as barriers that reduce trail usability and comfort.

If you have specific concerns about a trail maintenance issue that is a safety concern along a specific section of trail, we recommend you notify the City of Lawrence through the SeeClickFix website (there is also a mobile phone app version). FLAT is also always interested in hearing your concerns and insights!