Missouri, Kansas pioneer trail is nearly complete

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A hiking and biking trail through Missouri and Kansas will allow people to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in a few years.

The 3-Trails Corridor will closely retrace the path of old wagon swales. The trail will start in the Missouri city of Sugar Creek and move through Independence, Raytown and south Kansas City. It also will go through the Kansas cities of Leawood, Overland Park, Olathe and Gardner.

Some stretches of the trail exist, while others await construction.

The trail was sketched out more than 20 years ago by trail enthusiasts in Kansas City.

The National Park Service is working with the Mid-America Regional Council to come up with a comprehensive plan to involve all the counties and cities on the trail.

Steve Rhoades of Vireo, a Kansas City design firm, was awarded the project. He expects to submit his plans to the National Park Service and to have them finalized by the end of the summer.

The National Park Service is involved in the project because of the trail corridor's history. Kansas City is one of two places in the nation where three national historic trails begin or end.

Some advocates envision bike shops and cafes along the 3-Trails Corridor as stops for cyclists, walkers and tourists.

Rhoades said money for the project would come from a variety of sources. Some funds for existing sections have come from the 3-Trails Village Community Improvement District. The project has received financial aid from the National Park Service, federal Transportation Enhancement, Missouri Department of Transportation and Kansas City's Public Improvements Advisory Committee.