Manhattan city officials say the major phase of its levee improvement project is nearing completion and the nearby trails will be allowed to reopen in a few weeks.
The city announced on Monday that beginning June 28, the southern section of the Linear Trail from South Manhattan Ave. to the boat ramp at U.S. Highway 24 will reopen to the public for the first time in 2 and a half years of construction. The River Trails, along the west bank of the Kansas River, will also be reopening. Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Stewart says the reopening ties in with June being the month when National Trails Day is celebrated.
The city parks and rec department is wrapping up trail maintenance through this area and will continue maintaining the trails regularly going forward. City officials say work on the levee project remains ongoing north of U.S. 24 to Casement Road. That section of Linear Trail will reopen later this year. Stewart says there will be new signage posted along the trails in the near future.
Most trail surfaces have already been replaced but the city will continue to perform maintenance and improvements prior to their reopening.
As for other projects, Stewart also says the city had its contractor out last week, evaluating surface issues along the base of the water feature at Blue Earth Plaza, which continues to be closed to the public.
In addition to new signage along the trails, Stewart says parks officials will also be installing some new benches over the course of the next year. Much of the new signage and benches won’t be installed until sometime in 2025.
