Month: September 2014

New hike and bike trail opens in KCK

A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday, Sept. 20, on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held. (Photo by William Crum)
A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday, Sept. 20, on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum
A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan.

This is the first of many soon to come hike and bike trails that go close to the river on the levee.

“We are very excited about this opening, if it wasn’t for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kaw Valley drainage district working together, it would’ve not happened,” Mayor Mark Holland said. “The trail is a mile and a half long and it goes right next to the river making this trail one of the most scenic trails in our community. Hopefully within two years we will have everything completed.”

The trails are scenic and give residents a good reason to exercise, he said.

“This is part of our healthy city campaign that all of our commissioners have endorsed, including me,” Mayor Holland said.

These trails are designed to be family friendly. With more trails coming soon, Kansas City, Kan., will be a healthier community overall.

A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. Mayor Mark Holland addressed the crowd at the grand opening. (Photo by William Crum)
A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. Mayor Mark Holland addressed the crowd at the grand opening. (Photo by William Crum)

A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. Commissioner Brian McKiernan addressed the crowd at the grand opening. (Photo by William Crum)
A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. Commissioner Brian McKiernan addressed the crowd at the grand opening. (Photo by William Crum)

A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)
A new hike and bike trail opened Saturday on the levee just west of 18th and Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)

Leavenworth Road parade to be Sunday, Sept. 21

The 29th annual Leavenworth Road parade will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.

The parade route starts at 72nd and Leavenworth Road and continues to 51st and Leavenworth Road. Some of the walkers and marchers will join the parade near 64th Street.

“It’s going to be nice weather, decent temperatures, sunshine, and no rain. Perfect parade weather,” said Lou Braswell, executive director of the Leavenworth Road Association.

The parade will include Washington, Wyandotte and Schlagle high school bands, four horse units, antique cars and a total of 50 entries, Braswell said.

As in last year’s parade, the Kansas City Kansas Community College men’s basketball team is planning to dribble down Leavenworth Road, shooting basketballs at a goal in the back of a truck, she said.

The judges’ stand will be located in front of Welborn Elementary School.

This year, Unified Government employees will sponsor a fundraiser for United Way before the parade at Sunset Plaza, 6000 Leavenworth Road, she said. A children’s bounce house and craft booths are planned.

Bikers for Babies to raise funds for March of Dimes Sunday

Bikers for Babies will take place Sunday at the Kansas Speedway. (File photo)
Bikers for Babies will take place Sunday at the Kansas Speedway. (File photo)

Bikers for Babies hold its 20th annual fundraising ride Sept. 21, starting from the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., about 11 a.m. Sunday.

The 100-mile bike trip is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes. As many as 5,000 motorcycle riders are expected to participate Sunday.

“This is the biggest Bikers for Babies ride in the country,” said Jennifer Robinson, state director of communications for the March of Dimes.

The commitment from volunteers, the support from sponsors and from honorary chair, Johnny Dare, make it the most successful one in the nation, she said. It is Dare’s 19th year supporting Bikers for Babies.

It has been a passion with so many volunteers for so many years, she added.

Besides families who have a connection with March of Dimes, there are thousands who participate in this event who do not have a personal connection, she said.

Registration for the ride is at 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the day of the event. There is an entry fee of $40 for registration on the day of the ride.

The route for Bikers for Babies has changed within the last week, Robinson added. The new route is online at http://www.bikersforbabieskc.com/motorcycle-ride-details/motorcyle-event-maps/.

For more information visit the website bikersforbabieskc.com.