Spring 2010 Trailside Events
March
10
 14th Annual Prairie Spirit Trail Celebration, Community Building-North Lake Park, 6:00 p.m.
 
 
April
14
Friends meeting, Santa Fe Depot, Garnett, 7 p.m.
 
May 
12 Friends meeting, Santa Fe Depot, Garnett, 7 p.m.
22 Fish Trot For Kids, children’s fish pond-Garnett Country Club Golf Course, 5 p.m.
 
June
9  Friends meeting, Santa Fe Depot, Garnett, 7 p.m.
12  Catch the Spirit Bike Ride, begins at Kanza Park in Ottawa, choice of 5, 10, 20 or 50-mile trek on the Prairie Spirit Trail, 7 a.m.

2010

 

“Spring Fling” Birthday Bash Theme - March 10, 2010

Click HERE for event poster!

Tickets went on sale February 1st for the 14th Annual Anniversary/Birthday Bash Celebration of the Prairie Spirit Trail. The gala will take place on Wednesday, March 10th at the Community Building located in Garnett’s North Lake Park.

Social time begins at 6:00 p.m. The buffet dinner featuring smoked meat, delicious salads, side dishes and birthday cake will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the evening and includes some really nice items. Guest speakers, including Trail Manager, Trent McCown, will be on hand to give updates on trail happenings.

Don’t be left out! Tickets to the “birthday bash” are only $7 per person and are available for purchase at Garnett City Hall, Archer Insurance (Garnett), or can be purchased at the event.

CELEBRATE SPRING! Don’t miss your chance to enjoy an evening of fun and show your support for the Prairie Spirit Trail. Buy your tickets and mark your calendar. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, March 10th!

Why We Celebrate!

FUN FACTS: The first stretch of the Prairie Spirit Trail officially opened on March 30, 1996. Since that grand opening day 14 years ago, many people have shared the “Prairie Spirit” experience and many projects have been realized through the development of the trail. The improvement projects in Garnett are numerous and include the renovation of the Santa Fe Depot as a tourism information center, the Santa Fe Depot Walking Tile Project, a nostalgically lit pathway through town complete with benches lining the trail and native landscaping. Bluebird houses have been placed along the trail for birdwatchers to enjoy and a new train caboose has been retired on the grounds of the Santa Fe Depot to enhance the railroad heritage of the trail.

On September 1, 1998, Phase II of the trail officially opened and extended the trail from 17 miles in length to more than 33 miles (Richmond to Ottawa). Trailheads and native landscaping were developed in the cities of Ottawa, Princeton and Richmond. The City of Ottawa and the Franklin County Historical Society have made extensive improvements to the rail corridor within the city limits, including enhancements to the Old Museum Depot. Picnic shelters and other amenities are ongoing Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail projects in the communities of Welda and Richmond.

Phase 3 opened in 2008 connecting the first two phases to the enchanting communities of Colony, Carlyle and Iola and lengthen the trail to more than 51 miles.
The 14th anniversary celebration is open to the public. The Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail invite you to show your support of the trail and the communities along the Prairie Spirit by attending.

“ CATCH THE SPIRIT” Bicycle Ride
June 12, 2010
5…10…20…and 50-mile
bike event on the
PRAIRIE SPIRIT TRAIL

OTTAWA: A charity bike ride is being planned for Saturday, June 12th. The ride is being coordinated through the Ottawa Recreation Commission and will benefit the Franklin County Cancer Society and the Prairie Spirit Trail. The ride will begin at the Kanza Park in Ottawa and participants will have the options of trekking 5, 10, 20 or 50 miles. More information to be released soon as final details of the ride are made.
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us on the trail on June 12th! Entry forms will be available online or inserted in the month trail newsletter, The Prairie Spirit Express.


Join the Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail!

Annual membership is only $10 per person and with your membership you will receive The Prairie Spirit Express monthly newsletter (one per household). Just send your name, address and $10 (check or money order) per person to:

Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail
P. O. Box 71
Garnett, KS 66032-0071


Be a part of the Prairie Spirit Trail,
Purchase a Walking Tile

The Santa Fe Depot Walking Tile Project was created in 1997 ago as a monumental way of raising money for improvements along the Prairie Spirit Trail. Proceeds received from walking tiles to date have provided bicycle racks, benches, picnic tables, trash containers, birdhouses and landscape plantings along the trail and at trailheads. Two picnic shelters, such as those outside the Santa Fe Depot in Garnett, have been purchased through this project with the help of a matching grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. These shelters are now located at the trailheads in Richmond and Welda. Two new picnic tables were the most recent purchases for the trailhead in Iola.

The 12-inch square walking tiles of mahogany granite can be purchased with choice of wording for only $40, $55 with logo. The tiles are engraved with gold lettering and have “In Memory Of…” memorials, special messages, names of businesses and organizations, and family names.

Persons interested in purchasing a walking tile are encouraged to view the tiles at the Santa Fe Depot, Main and 7th Avenue. Tile applications can be picked up at the Santa Fe Depot, Garnett City Hall or by downloading a Prairie Spirit Trail Order Form here: "ORDER FORM". For more information please contact Garnett City Hall, (785) 448-5496 or email:info@prairiespirittrail.org

There are hundreds of tiles on display at the Santa Fe Depot. Don’t delay; get your walking tile application in today!get your walking tile application in today!

To receive a free "passportfolio" of information on what there is to see and do along the Prairie Spirit Trail, including lodging accommodations, restaurants, historical sites, walking tours, etc. in Garnett, please e-mail us today at: info@prairiespirittrail.org

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