Trails enthusiasts will soon have more options in Independence.
Independence City Council approved a cooperative agreement with the state’s Conservation Commission for the Santa Fe Park Trail connection to Weatherford Road, and for an extension of the Little Blue Trace Trail from Interstate 70 to Lee’s Summit Road.
In a 5-0 vote (Council Members Marcie Gragg and Jim Page were absent) Monday, the Council approved an agreement that allows the city to utilize existing trails on conservation land and to build on conservation land an additional short trail segment to connect Santa Fe Park to Weatherford Road.
The trail will travel south on Weatherford Road to 35th Street and Noland Road and is a part of the east-west connector trail that will link the Rock Creek Trail with the Little Blue Trace Trail.
The Little Blue Trace Trail will get a 3.5-mile extension from Interstate 70 to Lee’s Summit Road.
The extension will connect Hartman Heritage Center with Eastland Development under I-70 along the east bank of the Little Blue River. At Valley View Parkway the trail will cross the Little Blue River using the existing sidewalk along Valley View Parkway and connect restaurants with the trail.
The extension projects are part of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department’s master plan to connect parks and other amenities in the city.
“These trail projects have taken a little bit of time,” said Eric Urfer, parks and recreation director. “It’s a complicated process.”
Jackson County and the city will cooperatively design and construct the 3.5-mile Little Blue Trace Trail extension.
