overview
Proposed expansion and managed development of six-plus miles of multi-use trails surrounding Plainville Township Lake in Rooks county, Kansas.
Details
Plainville Township Lake is a county lake one mile west of Plainville. Surrounded by farmland and a narrow margin of woodland, Plainville Township Lake is a beautiful location for a network of trails for walkers, hikers, cyclists and equestrians.
Phase One expansion by Prairie Frontier Trails is approximately one-and-a-half miles of reinforced natural surface trail eight to ten feet wide. The main trail, surfaced with limestone screenings, will be intersected by natural-surface single-track for users who prefer a more rustic path.
The linear expansion in Phase One is part of a larger plan to encircle the lake with an improved trail loop. The other phases in order are on the east, south, and west sides of the lake. The main trail is intended to be ADA compliant. Larger project goals include Plainville Township Lake becoming an equestrian destination.
History
Plainville Township Lake was at one time a dirt bike racing destination, and a favorite spot for off-road vehicles. However, after repeated injury claims, the governing body elected to disallow ATV use. Any recreational roads around the lake had their maintenance suspended, and the county passed ordinances restricting ATV use on county property to maintained roads only.
Lacking other facilities for off-road enjoyment, ORV use at Plainville Township Lake continued. Without maintenance programs, roads rapidly deteriorated leading to unmanaged trailblazing. The resulting sense of entitlement among a small group of ATV users has led to conflicts with other lake users, such as hikers and fishermen.
Prairie Frontier Trails believes in the validity of ORVs for outdoor recreation, and also respects the governing board’s right to make Plainville Township Lake a quiet recreational area. The trail association is therefore working to remedy this stalemate and prevent user conflicts by developing an ORV park nearby and separate from Plainville Township Lake.
In the short-term, the Phase One expansion will be for the exclusive use of pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians: preventing conflicts between these users and ATV users, and promoting more healthy enjoyment of outdoor activities for all.
costs and timelines
The main trail project will consist of approximately 1.5 miles of trail, composed of 3-6 inches of gravel base 10-12 feet wide, with a surface of 3-6 inches of compacted limestone screenings 8-10 feet wide. Amenities will be a minimum of 4 benches with trash receptacles, plus 2-4 benches at proposed lake overlooks. A trailhead in the Kanza Shelterhouse area will have parking for 4 vehicles and large trailhead signage. Two low-water boardwalk bridges over each inlet channel on the north side will be engineered and constructed of synthetic lumber (for termite resistance and low maintenance). The two endpoints of the Phase One trail, plus the trailhead, will each require a traffic constrainer, also constructed of synthetic lumber. An engineered connection with culvert will be installed where the trail connects to X Road. Finally, the Phase One expansion will be enclosed at several places by a total approaching 3/4 mile of double-cable slack fencing with posts every 8-12 feet.
Actual costs are being determined. Current estimates are as follows:
Main trail: $45,000
Bridge 1: $50,000 – naming opportunity available
Bridge 2: $70,000 – naming opportunity available
Entry constrainer: $5,000 each – naming opportunities available
Trailhead: $10,000
Fencing: $10,000
Benches/rest stops: $3,000 each – naming opportunities available.
Gifts may be made as Friends of the Trail at the link below. Sponsorship with donor recognition is available for each of the project components. Sponsorship levels are generally described here; however, we request you contact us directly to work out the specifics.
Thank you for your interest, and we hope to see you on the trail!