Sunflower Foundation has awarded $355,000 in grant funds to 25 communities in support of efforts across Kansas to plan new public-access trails, optimize and enhance existing ones, and elevate established rail trails into lasting community assets.
Through its Paving the Way – From Blazing Trails to Building Community grant and education program, the foundation is supporting communities at various stages of trail development with customized planning support, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities.
In addition to providing flexible grant funding, the program offers grantees a chance to participate in a robust virtual learning series geared toward their stage of trail development. National trail expert Michele Archie, principal from The Harbinger Consultancy, is leading the series, with technical assistance provided by Kansas Trails, Inc. (KTI), a statewide organization dedicated to helping communities of all sizes advance their trail efforts through coordination and technical assistance.
Grant funding was awarded in the following categories:
• Trail Blazer grants provide flexible funding to support communities pursuing their first public-access trail or emerging trail champions advancing new public trail projects.
• Trail Steward grants provide flexible funding for maintenance, promotion, volunteer coordination and trail amenities to support communities that wish to elevate the role of existing trails.
• Trail Town grants support communities interested in pursuing the Trail Town model, a strategy that embraces trails as community development resources and economic drivers. Completing the virtual series associated with the Trail Town grants and meeting certification benchmarks allows communities to become Certified Kansas Trail Towns. This is the first time this opportunity has been provided to Kansas communities.
“We’re incredibly excited to work alongside our Paving the Way communities, whether they are just beginning their trail journeys or taking the next step in implementing the Trail Town model,” said Sunflower Director of Healthy Communities Kelli Mark, who oversees the foundation’s trail program. “Through both funding and shared learning opportunities, we’re helping communities build the knowledge, connections, and momentum needed to create lasting impact.”
The following communities received $10,000 Trail Blazer grants:
• City of Wamego, Miller Nature Park Pathway Planning;
• Mark Arts, Wichita, Rock the Corner;
• Mission Trail Funds, Brown County, Mission Trails Phase One;
• Prairie Museum of Art & History, Colby, Prairie Preserve Trail;
• Lakemary Center, Paola, Community ADA Trail Upgrade and Path Expansion
• Quindaro Ruins Project Foundation, Kansas City, Kan., Quindaro Ruins Trail Access
The following communities received $10,000 Trail Steward grants:
• Andover Augusta Rail Trail Initiative, Inc., Redbud Trail community ride
• Wabaunsee County, Guard of the Plains Trail
• Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Osage Cuestas Trail Bridge Project
This grant will support repair work on a 150-foot section of bridge on the trail, on which seven miles is nearing completion in Wilson County. The rail-banked trail will extend from Fredonia towards Chanute.
• Rossville Community Foundation, Trail Expansion Initiative
• Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith County Trail enhancements
• Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Enterprise–Abilene rail-trail corridor
• City of Ottawa, Ottawa Trail Visibility & Navigation Initiative
• City of Garnett, Prairie Spirit Rail Trail Enhancements
This grant will be used to resurface the portion of the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail that runs through the heart of Garnett, increasing safety, usability and accessibility.
• City of Fredonia, Osage Cuestas Trail Enhancements
This grant will go towards technical assistance from the Paving the Way Learning Series to identify solutions and connect with relevant state agencies for future funding of a physical trail crossing over US 400, along with construction of a repair station and wayfinding kiosk at the Osage Cuestas Trailhead and creation of a cohesive branding package that highlights Fredonia’s history and natural geological features along the trail.
• City of Basehor, Basehor City Trail Enhancements
• Barber County United, Inc., Enhanced Trail Experience Initiative
• Friends of Lawrence Area Trails, Looped Together: Lawrence Trails Experience
The following communities received $25,000 Trail Town grants:
• City of Lindsborg
• Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Abilene
• City of Andover
• City of Augusta
• Central Kansas Conservancy, McPherson
• Thrive Allen County, Iola
This grant is in support of a project to bridge the gap between the Southwind and Prairie Spirit Rail Trails and the Lehigh Portland Trails and the local economy by transforming Iola into an official Certified Trail town. Funds will support revitalizing the Friends of the Iola Trails, creating signage to guide visitors from trailheads to Iola’s historic downtown retail district, the hiring of a part-time volunteer coordinator, and launch of a program to trail local retailers and restaurants to cater to the specific needs of long-distance cyclists and day-hikers.
“We truly hope this new program will meet the many needs of diverse trail champions by pairing grant funds with high-quality technical assistance and curated networking with peers and experts,” said Elizabeth Burger, Sunflower’s senior vice president of programs and strategy. “In addition, a vital part of this package is the partnership with Kansas Trails, Inc. Together, Sunflower and KTI will take the best of what we learn from Paving the Way and continue to support Kansas trail champions and healthy communities for years to come.”
