Thanks to a grant from the Sunflower Foundation Lawrence residents soon have an ADA friendly path in Burcham park.
The Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees has awarded $290,879 to seven communities and one school district to build new public trails or enhance existing ones.
“It’s a pleasure to grow the Sunflower Trails family, creating more and more outdoor space for communities to share,” said Billie Hall, President and CEO of the Sunflower Foundation.
“What started as a way to help communities enhance their built environment has evolved over ten years into a dynamic way to engage people around health and wellness,” Hall said. “Each project reflects its unique community, and it’s exciting to see the creative ways each trail is used.”
So far, the program has helped fund more than 125 trail projects across the state. You can find Sunflower Trails near you with this trail finder: http://SunflowerFoundation.org/TrailFinder.
Lawrence is one of the recipients where a popular footpath along the Kansas River in Douglas County will soon be much more accessible thanks to this community driven project. The city plans to open the new 10 foot wide, ADA friendly trail by spring of 2015. The improved trail — located in Lawrence’s Burcham Park — will connect several existing trails, including a recently completed one behind Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.
Other recipients include:
- City of Derby – Madison Avenue Central Park
- City of Roeland Park Volunteers in Roeland Park are working to restore an urban green space called “R Park.”
- Riley County The Riley County Parks Department is creating new green space for the people of Manhattan to enjoy.
- City of Conway Springs Conway Springs in Sumner County plans to build its first community trail this fall.
- City of Paola This seven-mile trail will encircle Lake Miola just outside of town.
- City of Tonganoxie The popular Chieftain Trail in Tonganoxie will be enhanced.
- USD #233 Olathe Public Schools Sunnyside Elementary School will build a ¼Zmile asphalt trail loop just inside the school yard.
Since its inception in 2005, the Sunflower Trails program has helped more than 125 trail projects in more than 45 Kansas counties. For additional information about the Sunflower Trails program, please contact Sunflower Trails program officer at Elizabeth Stewart [email protected] or (785) 232Z3000.
The mission of the Sunflower Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans, which it supports through a program of grants and related activities. Further details about the foundation’s programs and grants are available at SunflowerFoundation.org.
