Kansas City trails system in planning stage

After years of divergent groups from Kansas City departments and organizations such as the Mid America Regional Council discussing trails, the groups finally are joining to create a citywide trail plan.

Representatives from Kansas City, landscape architects and others held three meetings May 8, 9 and 10 to share plans.

Steve Rhoades, who previously served as MARC's MetroGreen Trails planning manager, works for Patty Banks Associates. He said the community supports trails but unifying efforts has been a stumbling block. The first trails studies started in 1991, but a concerted effort did not start until 2002, he said.

"We really want to protect areas along streams and roadways," Rhoades said. "People want this because of the multitude of benefits of trails including health and safety."