Category: Inspiring (Page 3 of 7)

It’s Time of Year: The Tour of Lawrence Needs You!

June 5, 2015 /

We got this email from our pal Bob Sanner at the tour to make a shout out for help.. Please sign up – it’s a great time and pretty amazing to see these racers in action!

“It’s hard to believe that the Tour of Lawrence is entering its seventh year. This year’s ToL will include the same format with one change: the campus race will be held on the campus of Haskell Indian Nations University. Haskell has graciously agreed to close its campus for the Tour of Lawrence.

The popularity and success of the Tour results in large part from the volunteers who make it all possible. Would you consider being part of the year’s ToL? The dates are June 26-28. I can promise you a cool T-shirt, plenty of food (thanks to Free State and Ingredient) and drink. The safety vest and whistle aren’t bad either. Please follow the link and consider being part of the tour again.”

http://touroflawrence.com/volunteers.php

Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 6th Nationally and in Lawrence

April 23, 2015 /

Lawrence Safe Routes to School is wrapping up the the school year with National Bike to School Day on May 6th.

Join Langston Hughes Elementary, Pinckney Elementary, and students all over Lawrence as they celebrate the day by getting fresh air and exercise on the way to school.

Please help spread the word to drivers and remind them to slow down and look for student pedestrians and cyclists. And keep your eye out for Pinckney students joining in their first Bike Train!

Throughout the month of May, try biking to work or school so that you don’t miss out on the fun! Contact Rebecca Garza at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department for more information.

Where to Ride in Kansas 2015

January 2, 2015 /

A new year has begun and maybe as a part of your 2015 plans you are trying to plan where to ride this year.

Here’s something that will help. The 2014-2015 Kansas Bicycle Map is free to download from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Another handy page is their city biking maps download page.

Bike MS – Kansas Day One Ride Overnights in Lawrence’s South Park Saturday 9/13

September 12, 2014 /

Bike MS passes through the Kansas City Metro into the back roads of Kansas’ finest countryside. The routes include fully-stocked rest stops every 10-15 miles, a great lunch stop each day and safety provided by volunteer EMT’s, HAM radio operators, the police department and bicycle repair from their partner bike shops.

The ride will conclude the day at South Park in Lawrence, KS, where riders and local bikers will be treated to a fun Gears & Grooves Festival featuring musical entertainment, food and Boulevard beer. Everyone will be up early on Sunday for a pancake breakfast by Chris Cakes and back out on the road to Olathe, KS for a finish line celebration.

More info about the ride at http://bikeksg.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_KSG_Kansas_City_Ride

A Huge Win For Biking In Lawrence: Sunflower Foundation Awards Grand To Develop Community Trails

August 29, 2014 /

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.