As work to extend the Prairie Spirit trail from Iola to Humboldt continues, its founders, supporters and friends are prepping for the 16th anniversary of the now 51-mile-long trail’s inauguration.
What started in March 1996 as a 17-mile trail from Richmond to Welda now spans the 51 miles between Ottawa and Iola, giving southeast Kansas residents opportunity to tout Prairie Spirit Trail as one of the top tourist attractions in the region.
16 years later, and as another nine miles of trail in the works here in Allen County — efforts to lengthen the trail to Humboldt are ongoing— the Friends of the Prairie Spirit Trail are celebrating.
A “birthday bash,” as it’s being referred to by the trail’s main financial support group, is Wednesday in Garnett at the Community Building within North Lake Park. A silent auction will kick off the festivities at 6 p.m. followed by a buffet-style meal at 6:30.
Tickets to the event are $7 apiece and can be purchased at the door, at Garnett City Hall or Archer Insurance Agency.
“The Friends of the Trail group in Garnett has demonstrated how communities can use the trail to help improve the physical and economic health of their whole community,” said David Toland, Thrive Allen County director. “We have only scratched the surface in Allen County when it comes to our portion of the trail, and this annual event helps show the world of possibilities we have here.”
A caravan from Allen County heading to the bash will leave from the Thrive office — 12 W. Jackson Avenue, Iola — Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.
Toland said he’s attended the annual Prairie Spirit Trail celebration twice before and plans to give an update on the trail extension in Iola and onto Humboldt. Toland also noted that The Friends of the Trail folks in Garnett brought 10 people to Iola last April for Thrive’s trail cleanup event.
