Photo Courtesy of Canva

Trail advocates from across Kansas gathered in Marysville last week to officially launch Kansas Trails Inc. (KTI), a new statewide organization dedicated to promoting and developing hiking and biking trails.

Local and state leaders, including Maureen Crist of the Blue River Rail Trail and Elizabeth Burger of the Sunflower Foundation, emphasized the significance of starting the initiative in Marysville, citing the town’s success with its local trail. The Sunflower Foundation provided seed funding for KTI, helping it establish bylaws, hire Executive Director Mike Scanlon, and launch a website, kstrails.org.

The event included a group ride on the Blue River Rail Trail and planning discussions at the Marysville Art Center. Representatives of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Transportation, and Kansas Wildlife and Parks joined Friday’s meeting. KTI hopes to inspire similar efforts across Kansas communities.