Trail Friends Encourage Bike Across Kansas Stop Along Trail

The official announcement was made at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning, January 29, on the BAK website. Garnett will be the last overnight stop on the 2011 Bike Across Kansas. Held June 4-11, 2011, an estimated 850 riders plus their support crew will trek 474 miles from the Colorado border to the Missouri state line during this 8-day adventure across Kansas. The BAK will arrive in Garnett on Friday, June 10th.

Garnett Tourism initiated the invitation after avid local BAK rider and Prairie Spirit Trail supporter, Bill Ratliff, attended a tourism meeting encouraging Garnett to bid on this year’s event as a “Garnett 150” project. The Garnett City Commission submitted a letter to the BAK supporting the requested stop. Garnett Tourism and the Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail will work together to coordinate the stay and the activities these visitors can expect when they arrive. The Anderson County Jr.-Sr. High will be used by the BAK for those riders who want to camp there and use the facilities. Local bed and breakfasts and lodging establishments in and around the Garnett area will be in high demand during this event. Due to Garnett’s stop being the final overnight destination for this event, more family and supporters of the famed bike ride will most likely converge on Garnett than any other community during the event. Trail supporters hope to show off the trail to the bike enthusiasts while they are in town.

The Bike Across Kansas used Garnett as an overnight stop back in 2003. Cities making the 2011 route include Tribune, Scott City, Ness City, Hoisington, McPherson, Cottonwood Falls, Burlington and Garnett. Adding to a busy weekend, the annual Lake Garnett Cruisers Auto & Motorcycle Show will roar into town on June 11 as the bikers exit Garnett on their way through LaCygne to the state line.
For more information about the Bike Across Kansas, please visit www.bak.org, or for information about Garnett, visit www.experiencegarnettks.com.

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Trail Talk with Trent…

2011 ALREADY? WOW, where did 2010 go?

A new year is upon us with a lot of possibilities waiting and another year is behind us. With today’s economy it is unknown what the future holds. All we can do is hope for the good and be ready to deal with any bumps in the road as they come. We are used to rough roads, so forward we go!

On looking back at 2010, the year started out cold and wet. Not a whole lot was getting done outside during the first few months due to a mix of bad weather, budget reductions; which cut available money for seasonal help, and the loss of the other fulltime person stationed at the trail. Thankfully, the weather through the summer was mild and we ended up having an all around okay summer. We were very fortunate that the weather was mild and the storms were few along the trail compared to previous years. We would have really been hurting this year if there had been any major wind storms or flooding due to the limited personnel available. We made it through, but it was a busy summer just taking care of the basics.

We ended up refilling the fulltime Ranger position at the trail at the end of summer which helps out a lot. We have also been very fortunate with the weather this winter so far, as it has allowed us to spend a lot of time outside on projects. Most of our work has been basic activities such as removing brush and cleaning ditches to allow water to better drain from alongside of the trail and to improve visibility at road intersections. But it is that kind of basic work which minimizes damage during heavy rains and helps keep visitors safe.

KDOT finished the road work south of Welda and we were able to open up that section of trail this past fall to allow the entire trail open for travel ( FINALLY…). Hopefully that will be the last major shut-down of a section of trail for quite a while.

As we go into a new year we still plan to work from the basic principle we have always worked from: Provide a safe place for visitors to get outside and enjoy nature. So please do your part and get out there and enjoy it! We look forward to the possibilities of a new year.

Trent McCown
Manager, Prairie Spirit Trail

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Off the Beaten Path...

This is the time of year to take advantage of being stuck inside by making those outdoor plans for spring and summer. You’ve just got to visit the Prairie Spirit once the weather gets warm. So why not do something unique and fun? Like...

DID YOU KNOW… Iola has Molly the Trolley? Hop off the trail and jump on the trolley for a tour. Choose from historic tours, haunted tours, holiday lights tours, or let the Iola Chamber of Commerce customize a tour just for you!

View the Elk: Valley View Elk Farm is located just outside of Garnett on K-31 Highway. Call ahead for a special tram tour that will take you out where you can view the baby elk right where they live and play. Listen to the majestic bulls bugle. This is an amazing experience for the entire family or special groups. (Closed Sundays)

Welcome to the Farm: Littlejohn Sherwood Farm is located between Richmond and Ottawa just east of US 59, not far from the trail. You’ll find fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and much more (including yummy syrup!). Their motto: “Lots more to see and do, taste and touch and all that such...stop in and say hi and don’t be shy.”

Catch the Train: The Midland Railway operates out of Baldwin, Kansas and runs its route via the VFW Hall in Ottawa to Baldwin and back. Tickets can be purchased at the Old Depot Museum, 135 West Tecumseh, Ottawa. Trains run Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Memorial Day weekend through October.

For more ideas on what there is to see and experience along the Prairie Spirit Trail next time you visit, please check out the Trail Destination Information found below.l

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WANTED! Bike Rental, Repair & Trail Transportation Services We receive several inquiries a year asking about services for users of the Prairie Spirit Trail. Most often the requests are for information on renting a bike, transportation for the rider and their bike back to their vehicle at a trailhead, or information on bicycle repair services available along the Prairie Spirit. So we are putting a “shout out” to all our good Friends. If anyone would like to offer these services in the area along the Prairie Spirit, or if you already do but it’s somewhat a secret, please let us know so that we can help meet the needs of trail visitors. Contact Susan Wettstein at Garnett City Hall, (785) 448-5496 if you can provide information regarding these services. Thanks!

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Governor signs Bill making Prairie Spirit Rail Trail an official Kansas State Park.

TOPEKA: House Bill 2434 designating the trail as the “Prairie Spirit Rail Trail State Park” was signed into law on Friday, May 28th at 9:30 a.m. in the governor’s office. Those in attendance are pictured above, include: Back row L-R: Dick Koerth, Assistant Secretary for Administration (KDWP), Chris Tymeson, KDWP Chief Attorney, Trent McCown, Park Manager, Delton Hodgson, member-Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail, Alan Hynek, Fort Riley Conservation Branch, Judy Brigham, Iola City Administrator, Representative Bill Feuerborn, Senator Carolyn McGinn, Representative Melanie Meier, Mike Hayden, KDWP Secretary; front row L-R: Representative Sydney Carlin, Janice Hodgson, President-Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail and former Garnett mayor, Governor Mark Parkinson, and Linda Reed, Mayor of Ottawa.

The trail is operated by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park. This new designation will see the trail’s inclusion on state maps, signage, etc.

 

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