TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2Parking: Hobbs Park, 11th St. and Delaware St.Route: Hobbs Park (11th and Delaware) to

910 E. 29th St.Length: about 2.7 milesRest station host: The Willow

The first section of the trail has ten interpretive history panels that serve as an outdoor museum. They feature original historic narratives, vintage

photographs, and maps that illustrate Lawrence’s unique history and

cultural identity. The section of the trail south of 23rd Street borders Haskell Indian Nations University.

Haskell first opened its doors in September 1884, as the U.S. Training and

Industrial School and has evolved with changing cultural views to incorporate the elements of Tribal pride and self-determination for its academics.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4Parking: 910 E. 29th St.Route: 910 E. 29th St. to Southwind Theatre

(3433 Iowa St.)Length: about 2.9 miles Rest station host: Cottonwood Inc.

You will be traveling by one of the most contested pieces of ground in Lawrence and Douglas County history – the South Lawrence Trafficway. After about 30 years of discussion, the SLT was

finally completed and opened in November 2016. You also will pass through part of the Baker Wetlands, one of the most diverse nature habitats in Kansas, encompassing 927 acres of rich, natural wildlife. The building you see is the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, an eco-friendly building with panoramic views and an accessible wetlands boardwalk. Plan to visit the Discovery Center sometime!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9Parking: Southwind Movie Theatre, 3433 Iowa St.Route: Southwind Movie Theatre to Sunflower

School (2521 Inverness Dr.)Length: about 2.9 milesRest station host: Lawrence Public Library

You will follow Yankee Tank Creek for a considerable distance. The creek’s unique name stems from a New England abolitionist, Ezekiel

Andrus Colman, who settled northwest of this area in 1854. Colman dug a pond or “tank,” to connect with a preexisting stream and water his cattle. According to legend, when rains caused the stream to rise, locals would remark, “the Yankee’s tank is running over.”

Farther north, where the trail crosses E. 1200 Rd., there is an area that used to be known as Brown’s Grove, a popular picnic spot in the early 20th century. Near the end of this section of the Loop is the Pat Dawson-Billings Nature area. In 2000, local developer John McGrew donated land for this nature park and asked for it to be named for Pat Dawson-Billings, a beloved local teacher, outdoor enthusiast and wife of developer Bob Billings.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11Parking: Sunflower School, 2521 Inverness Dr.Route: Sunflower School to Family Church of

Lawrence (906 N. 1464 Rd.)Length: about 3.1 milesRest station host: Pawsh Wash

In this Loop segment, you will walk through the Rotary Arboretum. This gem was a collaboration of Lawrence’s three Rotary Clubs to celebrate

the centennial of Rotary International. In partnership with Lawrence Parks and Recreation, the Arboretum was created on land that the city leases from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was dedicated in June of 2005 and is home

to trees and plants that grow well in a Kansas climate, as well as ponds and

numerous birds and waterfowl.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16Parking: Family Church of Lawrence,

906. N. 1464 Rd.Route: 906 N. 1464 Rd. to Sports Pavilion

Lawrence – SPL (100 Rock Chalk Lane)Length: about 2 miles. This route is the shortest,

but also has the most hills.Rest station host: Friends of Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT)

This section of the Loop has great historical significance. The Oregon Trail crossed the Lawrence

Loop, just south of Sixth Street and continued west toward Big Springs and Topeka,

near the route of present day U.S. Highway 40. The Oregon and Santa Fe Trails passed through Douglas County and were part of a network of wagon trails that headed west. Use of the trails declined following the Civil War when railroads pushed across the plains. In some places along the old trails, you can still see evidence of wagon tracks.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18Parking: Sports Pavilion Lawrence,

100 Rock Chalk Lane. Route: Sports Pavilion Lawrence (SPL) to north end of loop and return back to the

start. There is no bus transportation available for this final walk segment. Length: about 3.1 milesRest station host: LMH Health Performance and Wellness Center

You will be walking parallel to the South Lawrence Trafficway for a short while before the paved trail begins to wind through forest, riparian areas and fields. You may see multiple species of birds including cardinal, chickadee, Carolina wren, wood pewee, turkey vulture, among many others. When you get to the end of the trail, you will turn around and walk back to the Sports Pavilion.

Sponsored by

WALK THE LAWRENCE LOOP 2018 ROUTE DETAILS Program is sponsored by community partners, LMH Health, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, Douglas County Emergency Management/CERT, Friends of Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT), and Rockland Apartments.

Walks begin each evening between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Start when you can; the staffed trailhead closes at 6 p.m.

Bus transportation from the end point of each night’s walk back to parking will be provided by The Rockland Apartments. Please note, there may be a short wait at the end of the trail for the bus if they are in route. There will be no bus transportation on the final walk segment as we will return to the starting point as our ending point.

Also, please be aware that there are no restroom facilities along most segments of the walk. Please wear sturdy walking shoes, bring water, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray. Also, please be alert for and use extra caution when crossing those areas of the trail that intersect with a roadway. In case of severe weather, the walks will be cancelled. For weather related as well as other information, go to the Friends of Lawrence Area Trails Facebook page @flatks. You also may call 785-505-3066. If the walk will be cancelled, a message will be left on this number by 4 p.m. on the day of the walk.

WALK LooptheABOUT THE LAWRENCE LOOPThe Lawrence Loop is a project that, when completed, will provide a continuous 22-mile paved trail around the city. It serves as a vital community resource to residents and visitors, connecting neighborhoods, parks and natural spaces and other priority destinations that include shopping, health care and downtown Lawrence. For more information about the Loop, visit lawrenceks.org/loop.

Sunflower School, 2521 Inverness Dr.OCTOBER 11

Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk LaneOCTOBER 18

Southwind Theatre, 3433 S. Iowa St.OCTOBER 9

910 East 29th St. OCTOBER 4

Hobbs Park, 11th and Delaware St.OCTOBER 2

Family Church of Lawrence, 906 N. 1464 Rd.OCTOBER 16