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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

2009-11-07

2009-11-04

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 11:06 AM

New trail system offers another path to embrace nature

By The Herald Staff

Nature will open itself up at Melvern.

The new Melvern Riverfront Park and Trails recreational system, 710 N.E. Pine St., Melvern, which features seven miles of trails, will have its dedication celebration Saturday.

“The park represents a unique combination of ecosystems and natural resources for education activities — a distinct goal identified by Melvern’s Friends of the Trail group to enhance appreciation of water resources as a community asset,” Sherry J. Davis, Healthy Ecosystems-Healthy Communities Program project coordinator, said in a news release.

“Most of the trails are considered ‘single track’ and are open to walking, hiking, and mountain biking enthusiasts. However, the River Trail loop is six feet wide, improved and surfaced, so visitors can walk side-by-side past the old quarry wetlands and along the Marais des Cygnes River to the park fishing areas,” she said.

Dedication activities Saturday will begin with a pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The dedication ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m.

Other activities include a talk about fish habits from Robert Harmon at 9 a.m., followed by a fishing derby for children at 10 a.m. Scott Rice, of the Kansas Corps of Engineers at Melvern Lake, will present “What’s in the Water” at 11 a.m. and Jim Hoy, Kansas Humanities Council, will present “Home on the Range” a presentation on the local history of the Melvern area at 1 p.m. Rides to the river will be available in multi-person golf carts for those in need of assistance. Sign up at the main gate and transportation will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis. Concessions will be available for lunch and refreshments.

The park and trails system was initiated as a result of Melvern’s participation in the statewide Healthy Ecosystems-Healthy Communities Program to help communities plan and manage their local natural resources and water quality, Davis said.

To get to the park, take U.S. 75 south to K-31 just east of the Melvern Lake dam. Take K-31 east to Melvern and N.E. Pine street is three blocks east of Main Street. Turn left and the park and parking area are seven blocks north.

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New trail system offers another path to embrace nature

By The Herald Staff

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.