Toellner Tells it

Wallace State Park -- Miles 2-7 for 100 Missouri Miles

A few months ago, I attended Governor Nixon's kickoff for the 100 Missouri Miles campaign. I walked a mile in Loose Park with the Governor, and committed to knocking out 100 miles on Missouri Trails this year.

Unfortunately, a new job, and hot summer weather, has kept me for checking off the miles. So yesterday, we headed out to Wallace State Park near Cameron to get some of our miles in. 

Wallace State Park isn't one of the state's largest state parks, but it's less than an hour from downtown KC and has several nice hiking trails. 

At the heart of the park is Lake Allaman and most of the trails take out near there.

Probably the prettiest hike of the whole group is a short-ish trail that loops around the lake and gives a really nice view of the lake from all angles.

 

We hiked several trails. We started with the 1.75 mile Deer Run Trail (which can be shortcutted into a 1 mile trail) and the 1.25 mile Deer Creek Trail (which must be done in conjusction with the Deer Run Trail). The Deer Creek trail hikes by a couple of small ponds and then goes down the hill and follows Deer Creek (which was dry, as would be expected in September).

We also hiked the 1.25 mile Old Quarry Trail. The Old Quarry Trail starts off along a boardwalk and then heads up into a creek bed, goes through an open field, and then loops back down to the start.

We also hiked the trail that runs around Lake Allaman a couple of times using it as a scenic connector trail so I figure we got to 5 miles of hiking. We're 7 miles into our 100 Missouri Miles -- so we have a lot of work left to do.

 

 

Governor Nixon kicks off 100 Missouri Miles Campaign

Yesterday, Governor Jay Nixon was at Loose Park to officially announce the kick-off for his "100 Missouri Miles" Challenge.

A few weeks ago, American Trails, a national organization, named Missouri the "Best Trails State" for its collection of city and state-wned hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The Missouri State Parks system alone boasts more than 1000 miles of managed trails.

Meanwhile, the Katy Trail is the longest developed rail-trail in the nation, and alone brings in more than $18 million in tourism revenue for the state, and supports more than 100 dedicated jobs.

In honor of the "Best Trails State" Award, Nixon is challenging Missourians to the "100 Missouri Miles" challenge -- encouraging all Missourians between now and the end of the year to tackle 100 miles of trails -- either by hiking, biking, walking, horseback riding or kayaking. 

As of this morning, more than 2000 Missourians have already signed up for the challenge and have tracked more than 8,000 miles of trails. You can sign up too at the website. 

After the short press conference, Nixon invited those in attendence to join him as he walked the entire 1 mile loop around Loose Park. Around 50 people followed him around the loop -- and I have to say, the Governor keeps a very brisk pace!  

First off, I think this is a really cool award for Missouri. I love that we're finally getting recognition for the great recreational activities we have in the state. I also think this is a really fun idea by the Governor and I am hopeful that a lot of people sign up to participate. I am signed up, and will highlight my journey to 100 miles (of which I'm 1 mile in after yesterday's walk) on this blog.

Meanwhile, I was disappointed that there was more political support from Kansas City for the announcement. KCMO Parks Department Head Mark McHenry was in attendence, but there was no representation from the mayor's office or the city council. Also, news coverage from the mainstream media also was suprisingly light given that he was kicking off the campaign in Kansas City (the initial kickoff event in St. Louis was rained out last weekend).  

But I encourage people to sign up and check out what Missouri has to offer in the way of hiking, biking, equestrian and kayaking trails.

Website: 100 Missouri Miles

Twitter: @100MoMiles 

Ideas I Love For Kansas City: Neighborhood Bus Shelters

In Kansas City, like in many urban communities, a significant percentage of the population relies on public transportation to move around the city. Because they are economically poor, or simply because they prefer to not have the expense of an automobile, transit is their primary form of communication.

Unfortunately, using public transit isn't always easy or inviting.

This is the bus stop that is closest to my house (ok, it could be questioned whether this is "closest" as I'm close to several stops, but this is indicative of almost all of the stops). This is a bus stop -- which really amounts to a sign, on a pole, next to a trash can. The vast majority of stops in this city resemble this.

Unfortunately, for the 25% of the time when the weather isn't good in Kansas City (or more this week), these stops are far from inviting. While many of the more popular routes (like the Max lines) have covered bus shelters, most urban bus stops don't. If it rains, you're going to be wet when you get to your destination. Bummer.

However, in some areas of the country, cities are partnering with neighborhoods and businesses to help create bus SHELTERS for the city. The shelters are designed to capture the essence of a neighborhood, and are paid for by those in the neighborhood (who are also likely to be using or benefiting from that particular stop). 

How would this makes stops more inviting if stops in the finanical district had a money-themed shelter? Or how about fresh-produce themed spots at the city market?  What if the shelter design borrowed from the shirtwaist style houses in certain neighborhoods?  What if the bus stops provided SHELTER while people waited for the buses? Would riders be more likely to stop off at a local business if they would be protected from the elements on the re-ride to their final destination?

It seems like a simple approach that the city/neighborhoods/business could work together to help make using transit more inviting and customizable for their neighborhood. It might be fun. It would be interesting. And it would certainly make transit ridership more inviting. 

H/T: Good

Americans Driving Less -- being driven by younger Americans

According to a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, the number of miles driven has dropped continually for the last 92 months.

This is the longest drop in miles driven since 1971.

While there have been other drops due to high gas prices, driving has generally rebounded fairly quickly. But so far, not this time. Since June 2005, the number of miles driven has dropped 8.75%

On top of higher gas prices, there are two other primary factors. 

    #1) Aging baby boomers are drivign less -- Americans tend to start driving less after they turn 55

    #2) More surprisingly, between 2001 and 2009, the average number of miles driven tby 16-34 year olds has dropped 23%.  Meanwhile, Public transit use for this age group is up 40% since 2001 and Bicycling is up 24% of this time.

The article highlights a lot of hypothesis about why this might be happening, but the bottom line is that the trend lines are becoming pretty clear. The two largest demographic segments in the US are both driving less, one because they're getting older, and the other for other cultural reasons.

Given this, I think it's been great that Kansas City has been investing more into Bike Routes in the city (and published a snazzy new Bike Map) and has approved the building of a new, modern trolley system that will improve public transit for decades to come (with the city working on more routes). It's important that as the population changes, that KC stay up with the trends and remain relevant to the needs and wants of younger, and older, populations. 

KC Pet Project Opens Northland Location for the Holidays

Last year, Kansas City, MO initiated a search for a new organization to run the Kansas City, MO animal shelter that resides just south of the Sports Complex at 4400 Raytown Road.

In October, they chose a new organization, the Kansas City Pet Project, to run that shelter --- and this new group began running the shelter on January 1 of this year.

Since taking over the shelter in January, the new organization has been sprucing the place up, building new play yards for the dogs, and overall improving the image and the lives for the animals at the shelter.

Since taking over in January, the KC Pet Project has saved the lives of 85% of all the dogs and cats that have entered the shelter.

The group is now embarking on its newest project: expanding its presence North of the River.

Starting November 13, the group will be doing adoptions, and selling pet retail items at 7351 NW 87th Terrace -- in Zona Rosa Shopping Center. The retail location will remain open throughout the holidays and until Mid-January. The new space will not intake any animals, but will be housing 25-30 dogs and cats daily for adoptions.

KC Pet Project is the highest volume animal shelter in the metro, serving about 8,000 homeless animals a year. The new shelter location north of the river will help them expand their footprint and save more animals during the holidays.

So if you live North of the River (or even if you don't), be sure to check out the new KC Pet Project location at Zona Rosa and meet a new family friend, or buy some goodies for an existing one.

Disclosure: In the interest of full disclosure, I am a co-founder, and member of the Board of Directors for the KC Pet Project.