Today, September 30, 2023, Prairie Frontier Trails hosted our first groundbreaking ceremony at Plainville Township Lake.
It was a small affair, a point which was emphasized and pivoted on by Bret Greenwood, executive director, during his speech.
Approximately 20 people attended, and this included board members and VIPs. Among the dignitaries were Ken Rahjes, representative to the 110th district, Kansas Legislature; Kelli Hansen, coordinator, Plainville Wellness Coalition, of which PFTrails is a member; and Alan Dinkel, trustee, Plainville Township #11 Lake Board, the landholders of Plainville Township Lake.
Board members present were Mary Collins, president; Frank Austin, vice president; and Cynthia Steeples, secretary, who served as MC for the ceremony.
VIPs met at the Cheyenne Shelterhouse at Plainville Township Lake, where breakfast was served, and everyone got to know each other as well as the order of things before the ceremony. They were then chauffeured to the ceremony site by Rooks County Transportation service.
The site chosen was the proposed trailhead in the northeast corner of the Shawnee Scout Camp. Folding chairs were arranged for attendees with the dignitaries seated house right, and the groundbreaking line house left. The four shovels were arranged in a pyramid of handles behind the line.
Steeples introduced the guests, then Greenwood gave a brief speech which illustrated how great things come from small starts. He told of his remembering, and being present for, the stages of growth of Thrive Allen County at Iola, Kansas, and culminating in the adoption of Lehigh Portland State Park. His closing suggested how the few people present at the small ceremony would be able to tell their grandchildren while walking on the Trails at Plainville Township Lake how they remembered, how they were present here at the beginning.
Steeples then transitioned the event to the actual groundbreaking, where each of the dignitaries grabbed a shovel and performed the prerequisite turning of earth, setting aside prestige and dignity for conviviality and good humor.
The benefit of a small gathering was observed after the ceremony concluded, as attendees were able to mix easily with the dignitaries and vice versa. People moved freely between three clusters, everyone receiving a greeting and thanks, sharing thoughts about trails and recreation.
Shortly those with a mind to do so were guided on a walk of the open trailway. PFTrails Vice-president Frank Austin joined the tour up to the point of recent heavy equipment work – which destroyed the terrain – and verified that the current grass trail was indeed already accessible.
Ideas and suggestions were exchanged openly. Curiosity prevailed after reaching the end of the Phase One trail when the hike continued along the motorized trail and Phase Five was discussed. The group met up with Rooks County Transportation after about 30 minutes of walking and talking, for delivery back to their vehicles.
All together, it was a successful small ceremony, marking the groundbreaking of a small length of trail, by a small organization in a small town, having the promise of great things to come.