Chris Wristen

A week has passed since the Free State Trail Races, and the trails of Clinton State Park have not healed.

Steps have been taken to lay the foundation for recovery, however.

I have confirmed with the Kansas Trails Council that a meeting has taken place to develop a plan to repair the trails after they were mangled when a thunderstorm soaked the trails after the races began. The KTC will announce those plans soon, and as soon as they are announced they will be reported on this site.

Additionally, reporting on the trail repair effort at Clinton State Park will take place on this site, so stay tuned. There is plenty of repair work to be done.

A brief reconnaissance of the trail damage today, April 25, provided a glimpse into the work that lies ahead. Portions of the trail that I observed that more naturally drain and have rocks mixed in with the dirt are in decent shape. A majority of the portions observed revealed varying levels of devastation.

Some parts of the trail are noticeably wider from the foot traffic, apparently where runners tried to avoid areas that had become trashed, ultimately ripping up the trail’s edges.

Some portions of previously smooth single-track now appear to have been trampled by horses. Picture the Wyandotte County Lake Park bridle trails when horses have gone through after a thunderstorm, and the resemblance is similar.

Water is pooled in some of the foot holes, incapable of running off and extending opportunities for extended damage.

If you click on the photos below you can view larger, more close-up versions to get a better idea of the current conditions.

There is a lot of work to be done, and it’s not just going to go away on its own. It’s going to take time; it’s going to take people; and it’s going to take effort. Be on the lookout for more details soon.