Swope Park Trails grand opening press release

*SPREAD THE DIRT*

Swope Park opens an urban hiking and mountain biking trail system
11.10.2008
Kansas City, MO

Swope Park opens an urban hiking and mountain biking trail system.

Kansas City Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Earth Riders Trails Association (ERTA) will host the grand opening of the planned 16 mile primitive, recreational trail system within Sowpe Park. The Formal dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled at 10:00am Saturday November 15 followed immediately by the official opening of the trail. The celebration is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The first phase of the trail, designed and built entirely by volunteers labor, is in the historic Camp Lake of the Woods section of Swope Park. The 1.35 mile trail features many rock outcroppings, spectacular views of the surrounding parkland and two small waterfall sections. Marci Jones, South Regional Director of KCMO Parks and Recreations, says "We are so excited to have ERTA in association with Heartland Sports Promotions building such a world class hiking and biking trails. The trails will be a real treasure."

The Swope Park Trail system is managed by Scott Capstack and Craig Stoeltzing, co-owners of Heartland Sports Promotions and ERTA Board of Advisior members, who bring over 22 years of trail design and construction experience to the project. Since January, 40 volunteers have invested over 600 hours designing and construction Phase One. Phase Two will commence in December, with 3-4 miles of additional trail scheduled for completion over the next six months.

ERTA maintains and manages over 100 miles of trails throughout the Midwest, working with over 10 Land Managers. To learn more about how you can volunteer and assist with Sowpe Park trails or any of the other trail systems in the area, go to htt://swopetrails.com or www.earthriders.org and click on Get Involved!

Event Location:
Camp Lake of the Woods
Swope Park
Kansas City, MO

For a map of the trailhead please go to http://swopeparktrails.com/ and click on the Camp Lake of the Woods map (upper right side of the page). Parking is available at multiple locations along Oldham Road.

Tentative plans call for hikers to be the first to venture onto the trails with the riders rolling out around 10:30/11am.