Katy Trail Extension to Kansas City

new Kansas City Extension Closer to Reality new

Imagine riding the Katy Trail from one end of Missouri to the other.  Currently the trail comes to within about 15 miles of St Louis on the eastern end, but ends some 80 miles away from Kansas City on the western end.  Several towns and organizations in western Missouri understand the enormous potential benefits of extending the trail westward, and are taking the first steps toward accomplishing that goal.

The Missouri Bike Federation has taken a lead on pushing for the extension.  This March 13, 2005 article in the Columbia Missourian details their efforts, along with more information on the potential Rock Island Line extension.  Check out the news section of Bike Federation's home page, where you can almost always find an article or two about the Kansas City extension.  Also, don't miss this page on the MoBikeFed website, which has illustrations of what the extension might look like, and a map of potential routes.

The Kansas City Star published a couple of articles in late 2004 discussing the possibility of extending the Katy Trail to Kansas City.  There are a few different options, and it looks like the town of Pleasant Hill is seriously considering building what may be the first section of such an extension (update: see below).  An extension to KC may be years away, but it's exciting that some people are working to get the ball rolling.

Here are the articles:
09-26-2004 Hit the books, then hit the Katy Trail
10-17-2004 Katy to KC Readers respond

Both articles are reproduced with the permission of the Kansas City Star and are Copyright © 2004 Kansas City Star.

Kansas City-based Mid-America Regional Council's website has a map of the proposed Rock Island Corridor for the Katy Trail Connection.

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July 11, 2005 - Kansas City Star columnist Mike Hendricks wrote a column asking anyone who would like to see the Katy Trail extended to Kansas City, to write a quick note to the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  The DNR says that an outpouring of grassroots support for the extension is just what it would take to get things started.  The five minutes you spend writing a note right now could help make this a reality.  Please send an email or letter to the DNR expressing your desire to see the Katy Trail brought to Kansas City.  Send to:

Doyle Childers
Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Email: moparks@dnr.mo.gov

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April 2006 - The town of Pleasant Hill is moving forward with trail plans that will link into the eventual KC connection. Thank you to savage24 for sending the following article:
Useful/Related Resources

• Katy Trail trail access and parking suggestions for Kansas Citians
  
• Missouri Bike Federation's Statewide Bike Route Map
  
• How to get by bike from the Katy Trail to downtown St Louis