Sunflower

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Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservany
Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy is an alliance
of rails-to-trails groups in the sunflower state.
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Mission

• Work in partnership with communities to transform
  railbanked corridors into non-motorized
  recreational trails.

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Philosophy

• If we can get just one child out on a trail who
  then develops a love for nature and outdoor
  exercise, then we have been successful.

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Vision

• Our vision is an interconnected rail-trail
  network in the state of Kansas.

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Benefits of Rail-Trails

• Provide the public a place to walk or bicycle
  safely away from traffic
• Entice people to exercise for health
• Improve the quality of life of communities
• Boost the economies of small towns through
  tourism
• Serve as biological or wildlife habitat corridors

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Community Asset

• Rail-trails are community assets owned by
  communities

• Trail users encounter friends neighbors
• Help develop a sense of community
• Can host public events such as nature walks
  bike rides

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Benefits for Landowners

• Easy access to a recreational facility
• Increase in property values
• New opportunity to make new friends
• Opportunity to be a good neighbor
• Reduction in littering, trespassing and illegal
  vehicles

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Families can experience the trail together
enjoy picnics in designated picnic areas
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What is Railbanking?

• Railbanking is conserving an out-of-service rail
  corridor under the National Trails System Act.
• In the event of a national emergency or economic
  necessity service can be restored within the
  railroad corridor
• During the interim, the corridor can be used as a
  recreational corridor.

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Railbanking in Kansas

• The Conservancy has assumed railbanking
  custodianship of several corridors in Kansas.
• Once the corridors are developed, primarily by
  local groups or individuals, the Conservancy will
  turn over the trails to either a governmental
  entity, new Regional Parks Authority or local
  groups for management and maintenance.

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Rail-Trail Project Steps

1. Place public notice in area newspapers
2. Place articles in area newspapers
3. Prepare project plan and submit to appropriate
   counties
4. Develop fundraising plan and raise funds
5. Recruit volunteers
6. Build the trail!

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Volunteers Needed

• Public Information Specialist media spokesperson
• Director of Development fundraiser
• Project Manager recruit volunteers, oversee
  construction

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Construction Steps

• Steps for building rail-trails
• Install bollards to prevent unauthorized vehicles
• Deck and rail bridges
• Install crushed limestone on old railroad bed
• Install traffic and information signs

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Join this exciting venture!
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Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy

• P.O. Box 44-2043
• Lawrence, KS 66044
• 785-842-3458
• www.sunflowertrails.org

Lets build trails together!