(MANHATTAN, Kan. – June 10, 2024) — The City of Manhattan is pleased to announce the major phase of its multiyear levee improvement project is being completed later this month, allowing several beloved trails to reopen for use.

Starting Friday, June 28, the southern section of the Linear Trail from South Manhattan Avenue to the boat ramp at U.S. Highway 24 will reopen to public use after 2½ years of construction. The popular River Trails, located on the west bank of the Kansas River, also will reopen. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is wrapping up trail maintenance through this area and will continue to maintain the trails regularly in the future. (Work on the levee project is still ongoing north of U.S. 24 to Casement Road, and that section of Linear Trail will reopen later this year.)

“June is when we celebrate National Trails Day and this is a perfect time to reopen these popular trails to public use,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Aaron Stewart. “We would like to thank our terrific partners in the Public Works Department and Stormwater Division, as well ESI and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for their tireless efforts to restore these trails to a new condition.”

Most of the trail surfaces have already been replaced, but City crews will continue to perform maintenance and improvements prior to their reopening.

The public is urged to pay attention to the new rules and hours signage posted on the trails that also will have a web link and QR code for the City’s Report It app, which trail users can access to report issues and problems.

“We are truly committed to public safety on these popular trails as they reopen to the public, and we want to establish a new and renewed culture of care and appreciation for the trail surfaces,” said Parks Supervisor Casey Smithson.

“If you see something wrong or inappropriate while using the trail, please say something or Report It. Show respect for the trails — don’t litter, don’t walk on the trails when they are wet, stay off the sides of the levee. Following the posted rules and observing hours of operation will keep the trails safe for all.”

Smithson said that when the trails reopen, they will lack wayfinding signage, benches, and some other amenities users may have to come expect. New benches are scheduled to be installed in 2025, however, and all of the wayfinding signage is being redesigned.

Early users of the trails, once they reopen, should be aware that ESI will continue to do some final off-trail work on the bank slopes of the levee, but this will not impact use of the trails themselves. Whenever the City or ESI performs such work, users will be notified and the trail will be placarded for safety.

“We commend ESI for their quality work on this important project to raise the levee and refurbish it for the next generation,” said Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman. “We know this project has been a burden on our citizens, and we are glad to near the end of this complex and essential project.”

The levee project, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will substantially enhance the reliability and structural integrity of the Manhattan Levee system and increase the level of protection from flooding events along both the Big Blue River and Kansas River.

This project has raised the height of the levee, as well as replaced critical structures and equipment along the levee that were installed during the original construction project in the early 1960s.

About Linear Trail

The Linear Trail in Manhattan is a city path with both paved and crushed limestone segments that is popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

This family-friendly trail is more than 9 miles in length and circles the majority of the community. It follows the riparian corridors of the Kansas and Big Blue rivers, as well as Wildcat Creek.

There are several trailheads and access points for this popular trail, including Kimball Avenue and Hudson Avenue, 3131 Anderson Avenue, Richards Drive, U.S. 24 and Blue River, Temple Lane, Pecan Circle, and South Manhattan Avenue.

Linear Trail was closed for construction from South Manhattan Avenue to the Blue River Access Area (U.S. 24 Boat Ramp) from February 1, 2022, until June 28, 2024. The Linear Trail will remain closed from the Blue River Access Area north to Casement Road and Hayes Drive until later this year.