Rail trail enthusiasts got an early Christmas present in November, when members of the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission voted to rescind the user fee for the Prairie Spirit Trail, a 51-mile state park stretching from Iola to Ottawa.
Previously, a $3.50 daily fee or $12.50 annual fee was levied for trail users. While difficult to enforce, the fee, though nominal, always carried the threat that violators could be punished. Indeed, for the first couple of years within the local trails opening in 2008, KDWPT rangers, perhaps on the trail to clear fallen branches or repair washouts, would stop trail-users and ask to see their permits.
Most times, charging an entrance fee for state parks makes sense. After all, they require occasional maintenance. But in the case of the trails, the fee system worked against the inherent spontaneity of going for a walk, run, or bike ride.
From my perspective, once the Southwind Rail Trail from Iola to Humboldt opened in 2013 at no cost to users people started to flock to the south. Then when the Lehigh Portland Trails around Elks Lake also free for public use were developed, that drew even more response from not only local users but also from those beyond.
THE PRAIRIE Spirit follows the original rail bed of the old Leavenworth, Lawrence and Fort Gibson Railroad from the 1860s. Its a treasure full of vistas of tallgrass prairie, shaded breezeways offset by broad expanses of crops and fields, as well as the downtowns of the various communities in which the trail passes through.
Its no coincidence that the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks added to its ranks the Department of Tourism a few years back.
Developers recognize that communities that encourage healthy activities with trails and lakes attract new families and businesses their way.
Everyday commerce also benefits. Think of the Humboldt group who treks up the Southwind to Iolas Dairy Queen most Thursday nights during the warm-weather months.
Making the Prairie Spirit Trail free to all was a smart move.
Thanks, KDWPT.
