Friends of Lawrence Area Trails

10/06/2026

We are so excited about this talk tonight 6:00 - 7 at the Lawrence Public Library!

This presentation by Rachel Allai, Artist, Musician and Creative Organizer behind the Firefly Festival, and Courtney Masterson, Ecologist and Executive Director at Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, will delve into our local waterways as one of our most vulnerable and valuable spaces, holding some of the most connected habitat within our urban environment. This talk will focus on restoring these areas back to native riparian zones, strengthening them as both effective waterways and wildlife corridors.

We will also learn more about the restoration of our local Burroughs Creek Corridor, a project organized by Rachel and Courtney but dependent on community involvement. Find out how you can play a vital role in restoring these waterways and strengthening our local habitat.

Registration is appreciated but not required.”

Be sure to save the dates for our community work days- the first one is this Sunday, October 11th at 10am! Tools are provided, so be sure to RSVP by emailing [email protected].

And we are extra excited to be partnering with for our first-ever Honeysuckle Hoedown on Sunday, November 1st following our honeysuckle harvest!! Stay tuned for more details!

Live along the Burroughs Creek or in the Lawrence, KS area and want to find ways to love on our earth while finding community? Be sure to like, follow and share!

Together we are stronger!!

10/05/2026

Reminder: Join us for Walktober on 10/8/26 at 5:30 at Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA), 3312 Calvin Dr.

Enjoy the cooler October weather and explore the Lawrence Loop with us! Join us each week for a new 1–3-mile trail segment. Walk at your own pace—there’s no finish line or registration required. This free, all-ages event is a great way to get outside and connect with your community.

October 8 – Starts at Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA), 3312 Calvin Dr.

October 15 – Starts at Burroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park (on 15th St), 900 E 15th St.

October 22 – Starts at Baker Wetlands Discovery Center Parking Lot, 1365 N 1250 Rd.

https://www.lawrenceks.gov/City/PRC/Arts-Culture/Special-Events

10/03/2026

This is exciting! A new accessible trail at Clinton Lake.

https://www2.ljworld.com/news/general-news/2026/oct/02/clinton-state-park-to-open-new-1-mile-accessible-trail-and-improve-two-boat-ramps-near-marina/

10/02/2026

FYI folks!

09/22/2026

Lawrence's Connected City Advisory Board is recommending to the City Commission that the city pursue a Lawrence Loop alignment along 7th and New Hampshire Streets and crossing beneath the bridges into North Lawrence to connect to Constant Park.

The downtown section of "The Loop" has been a FLAT and community priority for many years. While there are considerable concerns about the proposed alignment, FLAT appreciates the Advisory Board acknowledgment's that future plans along the river (including the potential demolition of the "Spring Hill Suites building") will enable more discussion about other trail improvements through downtown.

09/20/2026

Plans for construction of the downtown section of the Lawrence Loop are starting to emerge in public view. A feasibility study by Trekk Group, commissioned by the city, calls for an alignment along 7th and New Hampshire Streets, then passing by city hall, and finally and crossing underneath the bridges into North Lawrence. It would connect to the existing sidewalk along 6th Street on the west side of the bridges to create a connection to Constant Park. The project would be primarily funded through a $1.2 million Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant awarded to Lawrence by the Kansas Department of Transportation, who manages the TA grant program in the state. Like any plan, there are both positive and negative features. FLAT has long advocated for a trail that would avoid on-grade crossings at the 6th and Massachusetts intersection. Therefore, we are happy to see an "under the bridge" solution being presented. FLAT also believes having the trail pass behind city hall (on the north side), one of the options presented, seems like the optimal approach.

FLAT is concerned about the selection of an alignment along existing roadways (7th Street and New Hampshire Street) that would create multiple conflict points with automobile traffic in an area where "vulnerable roadway users" (often pedestrians and cyclists) have experienced the majority of serious and fatal crashes, according to the draft of the city's own Bikeway Plan. Many reports and plans (including the draft bikeway plan and FLAT's 2026 "Trails for Everyone Report") emphasize that city residents desire to see a trail system that is largely separated from existing roadways to maximize comfort and promote safety. The plan also does not address the need for trail users to use an at-grade crossing of the railroad, at an unsignalized crossing, to continue from downtown into Burcham Park, via Constant Park.

There are still many questions to be answered as the city works to finalize a plan. The public will have an opportunity to provide comment at the Connected City Advisory Board meeting this coming Monday, September 21, at 5:30pm. The committee will accept public comment in person (the meeting will be held at the new MSO Offices at 1840 O'Connell Road), via Zoom (registration is required prior to the meeting), or in writing. Written comments must be submitted by noon tomorrow (Monday, Sept. 21). Send comments to:

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

More information is available at: https://lawrenceks.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=6081

09/17/2026

Progress is being made on the new mural by Dave Lowenstein on the Free State Eastside Brewery. So exciting seeing it come to life.

09/10/2026

More info about the Loop closure.

Public Works Notice! The Lawrence Loop recreation path is currently closed between Naismith Creek and Haskell Avenue. Douglas County is working to add warning indicators near uneven concrete joints. The path will remain closed for two to three weeks.

Douglas County is responsible for maintenance of the path between Michigan Street and Haskell Avenue. All other sections of the Lawrence Loop are maintained by the City of Lawrence,.

Lawrence Kansas Parks and Recreation Lawrence Bicycle Club Haskell Indian Nations University Baker University Wetlands & Discovery Center Friends of Lawrence Area Trails

09/10/2026

Update on the section of the Lawrence Loop with a pavement issue. The path will be closed for a few weeks until problem is addressed.

09/09/2026

Please exercise caution when using the Loop between Haskell Ave. and Louisiana Street near the Baker Wetlands. There is a crack in the pavement, which we understand has been sealed with tar but still can be a hazard, particularly for cycling. We received a report of a cyclist who crashed in this section (injured but recovering) who reported losing control due to unevenness on the path caused by the crack.

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