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IMPORTANT TRAIL NOTICE Due to the devastating flooding that occurred in June in Anderson County, as well as other counties in Kansas and Missouri, a portion of the Prairie Spirit Trail is closed until further notice. An approximately 2 1/2 mile trail section between Garnett and Richmond, (2100 Road to 2350 Road / Scipio Road), has been impacted by the floodwaters and the bridge over the Pottowatomie River has been damaged. This section of the trail will be closed for the remainder of 2007 as we will be evaluating bridge replacement options and funding sources.Currently, surrounding county roads are damaged and most are still flooded, prohibiting travel on adjacent roads. Alternate routing options will be made available as soon as county crews make repairs to the adjacent county roads. Other sections of the trail have also sustained some damage, but at this time the rest of the trail is passable and only rough in a few locations where the screenings have been washed away. Visitors are advised to always be aware of possible changes in the trail surface. Erosion can continue as the floodwaters drain and cause more undercutting or edge erosion. Thank you in advance for observing the closed area notices. Trent
McCown Geocaching, An Outdoor Adventure Kansas State Parks offer many treasures throughout Kansas to be discovered. On May 1, 2008 State Park visitors can discover additional treasures by participating in geocaching. Geocaching is an entertaining outdoor adventure opportunity utilizing GPS units to discover pre-placed treasures. The Prairie Spirit Trail as well as the other 25 Kansas State Parks and three wildlife areas are participating in the program for a total of 29 official KDWP geocaching. Each location will have two official geocaches. The cache is a green military ammo can that has KDWP and Prairie Spirit Trail marked on the can. To obtain coordinates of the first geocache in each park and complete details of the program go to www.kdwp.state.ks.us. The coordinates for the second cache are located in the first cache, upon finding the second cache, take one of the yellow certificates in the cache and write down the code in the box. The certificate needs to be redeemed at the Prairie Spirit trail office which is located at the Garnett Chamber of Commerce offices on the square. Once redeemed the participant will receive a pen stating “I found the Geocache @ Prairie Spirit Trail”. Participants can pick up an entry form for the Geocaching program when the certificates are redeemed. If a geocacher locates all the caches throughout Kansas they will be eligible to win one of fifty two night stay in a KDWP cabin or an Annual Camping Permit. Participants who do not locate all the caches throughout Kansas are eligible for Second and Third place Prizes. The program will run until November 1, 2008. Prizes are free to any person, but are limited to only one per family in 2008. For more information please contact Prairie Spirit Ranger Phil Bures at 785-448-6767 of the KDWP offices in Pratt at 620-672-5911. When hunting the caches please make yourself familiar with each parks rules and regulations to make sure you have everything needed to enter the park as they may differ between parks. Be mindful of others that are hunting the caches and leave them as you found them. If there are any problems with the cache or you feel that it is missing please contact the park that you are in. Have fun and good luck.
May is National Bike Month ECKAN, in cooperation with the Lake Regional Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), would like to get a bicycle into the hands of every child who needs one. If you have a bicycle to donate, or know of a child of a needy family who would benefit from this program, please contact ECKAN, 132 E. 5th Avenue, Garnett, KS, 66032, telephone (785) 448-3670.
Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce Franklin
County Visitors Bureau We are also happy to send you information on what there is to see and do along the Prairie Spirit Trail: Friends
of the Prairie Spirit Trail Just email, call or write to request information and it will be sent to you at no charge right away! Be sure to watch this website or your membership issue of The Prairie Spirit Express for up-to-date information on the development of Phase III on the Prairie Spirit Trail. Phase III (Welda to Iola) is currently under construction. Upon completion, the current 33-mile trail will span more than 50-miles, from Ottawa to Iola, Kansas.
Remember Anytime you visit a restaurant, store or attraction along the trail, be sure to tell them you’re visiting because of the Prairie Spirit Trail. If you have questions or comments before or after your visit please do not hesitate to e-mail us at info@prairiespirittrail.org. Friends
of the Prairie Spirit Trail For information on Lodging, Restaurants, and Places of Interest, contact: “America’s
Hometown” – Garnett Garnett
Area Chamber of Commerce "Victorian
Ottawa" If you have any positive trail news please e-mail it to: info@prairiespirittrail.org and we will do our best to include it in future issues of The Prairie Spirit Express. • Home • Location • Maps, Fees & Rules • Attractions • Friends • Collectibles • Upcoming •RR History • Email & Links |
