The City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department has a new urban trail in Blue Valley Park, thanks the Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA) and a grant from the National Recreation and Parks Association. Through the grant, HCA collaborated with the Blue Valley Neighborhood Association, Urban Trail Co., Habitat Architects and Nomad Trails to design and build the trail. The focus of the project was to restore natural areas to improve stormwater management and increase access to the outdoors. In addition to the trail, areas residents and school children learned about nature and got involved with some of the work through volunteer workdays and a seasonal job program. That work included removal of invasive plants, installing a prairie wetland, and installing a bioswale to channel rainwater. Video>>
A portion of the grant was going to be used for a community celebration in the park, but due to Covid, that was not possible, so the funding went to create a one-half mile, single track trail that follows the ridge of an old oxbow of the Blue River. This trail was designed by Urban Trail Co. in partnership with residents in the neighborhood. The new trail provides access to a beautiful natural area that allows everyone to enjoy nature safely and get outdoors.
Blue Valley’s urban trail kicks off KC Parks- Twelve Trails for the Holidays, where each day, a different trail will be highlighted and promoted to encourage everyone to get outdoors and enjoy the great trails in our Parks.