The Rozarks Urban Nature Trail System

Kansas City, Kansas

Project Description:

The Rozarks Urban Nature Trail System addresses the desire for urban communities to be connected, have more opportunities for active living and have better access to local natural environments. The wooded areas around the Rosedale Arch, Rosedale Middle School and Fisher Park were a vastly underused asset. After dozens of meetings with school officials, community members and students, and hundreds of volunteer hours, the first three miles of the Rozarks trails opened to the public in May 2014. Now, with additional trail improvements, the Rozarks are well suited for hiking, mountain biking and exploring local ecology. Trailheads located at the Rosedale Arch, a historic Rosedale landmark, and at Fisher Park connect the surrounding neighborhoods to the trails in a highly visible and accessible manner.

Project Goals:

• Provide opportunities for recreational activities, promoting physical activity and active lifestyles.
• Protect the natural woodlands while increasing the number of visitors to natural features through the creation and management of trails.
• Accomplish the above goals through an efficient and economical combination of volunteer and professional labor.

Community Benefits and Lessons Learned:

• Since Rozarks opened, the community has embraced the trails.
• Providing a free and unique recreational opportunity for the community has made it easier to encourage healthy lifestyles.
• Incorporating green infrastructure and ecosystem conservation into maintenance of natural features has encouraged community ownership/stewardship over the land.

Funding Sources and Partnerships:

Rosedale Development Association's (RDA) Rozarks Urban Nature Trail System was developed in partnership with Urban Trail Co. and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. Other project partners include Healthy Communities Wyandotte; Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools; FreeWheels for Kids; Bridging the Gap; Mission Cliffs Homeowners Association; Hilltop Neighborhood Association; the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City; and local residents and volunteers. Recently, RDA hosted an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps group that removed 3,200 pounds of trash and 7,700 pounds of vegetation and built a trail kiosk.

Contact Information:

Rosedale Development Association, Inc.
913.677.5097
www.rosedale.org