Back when Smithville Lake was first created several saddle clubs and
individuals began blazing equestrian trails along the shoreline. With the
blessing of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who own the property, dozens
of miles of trails were opened and marked. Both organized group rides and
individual use were popular for several years. But with no one group or
organization responsible for trail maintenance, fallen trees, erosion, and
brushy overgrowth soon made several sections of trail dangerous and
unusable. Lack of use soon let the rest of the trails disappear.
Then the Northland Trails and Greenways organization was formed to promote
the creation of all manner of trails in the northern part of the Kansas
City, Missouri metro area. A subset of this organization decided to reopen
a section of the old Smithville Lake trails that are a part of the
long-range trail vision plan. The Corps gave permission, and using donated
equipment and countless volunteer hours, they marked and cleared much of
the old trail network. A trail ride was organized to raise funds and
increase awareness of the riding opportunities. Clay County Parks and
Recreation cooperated in making the equestrian section of the campground
at Crows Creek available and helping clear the section of the trails that
were within the county park boundaries.
To date over twenty miles of trails have been made available for horseback
riding, hiking, and off-road cycling. Volunteers have trimmed trees, mowed
brush, removed fallen logs, improved stream crossings and provided maps.
Summer weekends often see more than one hundred people enjoying the scenic
trails. Of course there is still much more work that needs doing. A few
more miles of the old trails are yet to be reclaimed. Brush grows back,
gullies wash out, streams deposit more mud at crossings and storm damage
drops new branches across trails, so more volunteers are always welcome.
Donations of cash and materials are needed for trail repairs and
improvements.
For maps, pictures and more information visit our web site at
www.northlandtrails.org or
contact Ron Nekula at 816 468 1024.
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