UPCOMING MEETINGS...
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
Please see the "Meetings" page for more information.
UPCOMING WORK DAYS...
Saturday, February 9th, 2013
Saturday, March 9th, 2013 Postponed to the 16th
Saturday, April 13th, 2013
Please see the "Meetings" page for more information.
T-Shirts
Show your spirit! The proceeds of all t-shirt sales go directly to Prairie Travelers' mission. The t-shirts cost $15.00 each and come in both men's and women's designs. |  |
Men's | Women's |
Local
Kansas
National
Federal Transportation Bill
Speaking out does work! This past summer, we have shown our elected officials that trails for walking and bicycling are essential to building healthier more sustainable communities. Vital federal funding, known as TE, transportation enhancement, thought to have been lost, was given new life under the new name, Transportation Alternatives, which is part of the federal transportation legislation called MAP-21. It incorporates the old Transportation Enhancement program, the Safe Routes to School program and the Recreational Trails program. "While these three earlier programs totaled roughly $1.2 billion per year, MAP-21 cuts funding for the Transportation Alternatives by a third, to $808 million. Half of that amount is to be allocated to large metropolitan areas and the other half states can transfer to any other programs needed by the State." (http://t4america.org) Kansas, however, was one of two States to opt-out of the Federal Recreational Trails Program to instead divert their money to general transportation fund, potentially making it more difficult to implement local projects, altho State officials have assured some of our members that they support our goals & visions. Thus this is the time that we need to keep speaking out and let all our elected officials and Gov Brownback know our position for safe and healthy access to the outdoors.
Contact: Gov Brownback at www.governor.ks.gov and go to his "legislation and policy" e-mail option to request full federal funding for trail development and maintenance. We want his help to embrace and expand trail opportunities not hinder it.
Contact your representative: Go to www.kslegislature.org and click on "find your legislature."
Membership Forms Updated
MEMBERSHIP FORM | Membership Brochure (Tri-fold)
Fall/Winter 2012 Newsletter
The Prairie Sunset Trail
Because of your membership dues and support, we continue to make progress on the Prairie Sunset Trail west of 167th St W, through Goddard to Garden Plain. We now have a bench at each half mile point. We have 6 of the 8 miles adopted by groups and or families which mean they keep their mile trimmed and clean. Several goals for 2012 are to complete the "Cecile Kellenbarger Memorial Bridge," install another layer of fine crushed limestone on several miles in need as well as landscaping by the tunnel.
For those of you who have enjoyed the trail, thank you for using it and keeping us in touch with daily trail needs. This trail belongs to all of us, so please renew your membership for 2012 and take time to enjoy it. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization so your donation is tax deductible. Continued improvement is feasible through membership dues and volunteering, please help in any way you can!
Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy
The folks at Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy have put together an informative brochure with the contact information for the rail trails in Kansas. In order to build and maintain these rail-trails for the enjoyment and benefit of all, volunteers and donations are always need and very welcome! Kansas Rail Trails.
Rail Trail News
If you have information regarding rail trails (proposed, under construction, or current) in Kansas, please forward the information to bryantnc@gmail.com and we will update our information.
Trail Benefits
Everyone wins with the preservation of transportation corridors and the development of linear trails: the nation retains a vital resource, the public gains a place to safely walk or ride, the railroads retain the right to restore rail service in the future, small towns can receive an economic boon, and adjacent landowners obtain access to a recreational facility and increased property values.
By helping to preserve Kansas' heritage and recreational opportunities, you will be giving your children and grandchildren an irreplaceable gift - living history. If the linear trails project cannot be kept on track, so to speak, the corridors may be lost forever. That is why Prairie Travelers needs your help.
