Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy

05/19/2026

Mike Scanlon, Executive Director of Kansas Trails, Inc., was interviewed on Kansas Public Radio. He talks about the economic and other benefits of rail-trails.

Kansas Trails, Inc. works with communities across the state to build and care for the trails that bring people together. From small-town paths to wide-open prairie routes, we believe trails connect folks—to the land, to each other, and to the places they call home.

05/05/2026

Here is a corrected map of the Southwind Rail Trail between Iola and Humboldt. Sunflower holds the railbanking to it and Iola volunteers maintain it.

05/04/2026

According to the Iron Horse Trail FB page: Within the month the Iron Horse Trail will be 700ft longer. The eastern trailhead is in process of being moved to the east. It will begin at the Hoffman Grist Mill in Enterprise. Note: this is a rails-WITH-rails path along side the excursion train tracks stretching five miles between Abilene and Enterprise.

04/30/2026

Marshall County Connection reports: The BLUE RIVER RAIL TRAIL CORRIDOR is about to be transformed once again! This time it’s going from an abandoned railbed into a beautiful linear park with a trail that will connect the Blue River Rail Trail endpoint at North St. four blocks to Pony Park and downtown Marysville. It will be a place to bring your kids to play on the playground, gather with friends for coffee or a game of bocce, or take a walk on the tree lined trail. Grant funding is is being pursued but we as a community need to do our part by providing match money for the grants. https://www.marysvillecf.org/

04/29/2026

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Lattner Foundation to be used for a TA grant match for the Landon Trail (Topeka-Pomona).

04/26/2026

The Meadowlark Trail is now officially open! The rail-trail passes through gentle hills and creek valleys in the 12.6 miles between Lindsborg and McPherson on the old Union Pacific Railroad railbed. It crosses eleven bridges and, at one point, follows the east bank of the Smoky Hill River. The trail travels through beautiful country – geologically rich area with several different types of soil and an abundance of wildlife. It’s a rails-to-trails route with beautiful fields and tree canopies along the way. It crosses an old rail flatcar which serves as a bridge. In the North, the trail begins at the southern endpoint of the paved 4.75 Valkommen Trail in Lindsborg (Little Sweden USA) at the Old Mill Campground and the southern endpoint is at 1300 Moccasin Rd. in McPherson near Hess Park.

04/15/2026

04/12/2026

Located at 1539 N Andover Rd, Andover.

04/08/2026

The Southwind Connector Trail linking the Southwind Rail Trail with the Backbone Trail and other trails at the new Lehigh Portland State Park has been closed for good. The owner of a section of this trail refused to grant an extension of the lease. Despite repeated approaches and conversations the owner has made up her mind. So, Thrive Allen County is looking into alternate routes. SRTC railbanked the Southwind Rail Trail and Thrive got it built with help from the County and volunteers. Photo of the Backbone Trail which used to be connected to the Southwind Connector Trail.

03/31/2026

The Rock Island Bridge Entertainment District is now open after a three-year delay. The former 120-year-old railroad bridge spans the Kansas River between KCK and KCMO. Hikers and bicyclists have a new trailhead and services, with a dedicated public crossing connecting to trails on both sides of the Kansas River. One can travel 700 feet high above the river. The entertainment district has restaurants, coffeehouses, bars and more. There is live music on the Top Deck, in the Nook, and on the Garden. This is the first entertainment district on a railroad bridge in the US. Parking is available by the HyVee/Kemper Arena.