NTG’s Equestrian Group Volunteers

Through the hard work and dedication of Northland Trails and Greenways volunteers the
Smithville Lake Horse and Hiking Trail has become a premier destination for equestrian riders around the region.

• In 2006, volunteers helped to expand and improve the trail by contributing over 1039 hours of their time as well as equipment and materials to help make the trail system safer.  These contributions add up to $18,238.24 worth of time, equipment and materials.  Volunteer mileage totaled 5400 miles at a value of $2,403.  Maintenance and improvements included mowing about 24 of the 26 miles of trail, improving creek crossings by installing pipes or rocks, cutting back brush, re-routing unsafe trail sections, dividing combined trails, installing picnic tables, and improving trail markings.  Most of the trail work volunteers were members of the Kearney Saddle Club.
• Northland Trails and Greenways volunteers worked in cooperation with the Clay County Highway Department, the Clay County Commission, the Clay County Parks Department, the Corps of Engineers and the adjacent land owner to develop and build an Equestrian Parking area at 170th and Collin’s Road.   Development included construction of 350 feet of board fence, installation of a driveway culvert, trees and flowers for site enhancements, exposing an existing cross road culvert, building a drainage structure over one end of the pipe, building pipe protection barriers, and installing a kiosk displaying the trail map. 
• The “Adopt-A-Trail” program was instituted to help with maintenance of 26 miles of restored trails.  Trail groups Platte County 4H Horsemanship, and the NW Chapter of Back Country Horsemen adopted sections of the trail.  Their efforts consisted of picking up trash and clipping back brush on about 3 to 5 miles of trail.  We are seeking additional volunteer groups to “Adopt-A-Trail”.

NTG’s Mountain Biking Group

Northland Trails & Greenways volunteers helped to expand mountain biking trails at Smithville Lake to more than 11 miles last year.  Many of the trail work volunteers are members of Earth Riders Mountain Bike Club. Two big trail work days were held by Earth Riders Trails Association, Inc., during which an additional 1.5 miles of trail were added for hiking and mountain biking.

• Volunteers added carsonite trail markers at all intersections of the paved trails which included intersection numbers that correspond to the map available on the NTG website. 
• Over 240 man-hours were volunteered for the two trail building work days.
• A total of 448 man-hours were volunteered throughout the year which also included trail maintenance, trimming, building and planning. This brings the total volunteer man-hours for this project to over 2300 hours.

Clay County Parks Department

• The Parks Department has completed 22 miles of scenic paved hiking/biking trails from the Northland Trails Vision Plan (see C1 and C2 on the trail plan).  The Parks Department has concentrated their trail efforts on the Smithville Lake area.  They have included in their efforts additional parking areas, signing, and kiosks with maps. 
• The Parks Department has taken over maintenance of the 2.65 miles of the Smithville Lake Horse and Hiking Trail (Crow’s Creek Horse Trail) that is on property that Clay County leases from the Corps of Engineers.  The Parks Department is cooperating with Northland Trails and Greenways to construct a vault type toilet at the Equestrian Parking area known as Jack Rabbit Bend.  Parks also provided Entrance, Exit, and Equestrian Trail signs for the parking area.
• Clay County Parks received “The Historic Trails Award” for 2006.

Platte County Parks

• The Springs Aquatic Center opened on Memorial Day.  The Springs offers a leisure pool, water slides, a lazy river and vortex, a spray ground, as well as a competitive pool.  The Springs is located in Tiffany Hills Park at the intersection of North Congress Ave. and Tiffany Springs Road.
• Platte County boasts that two community centers opened in 2004 and 2005 have been successful and have become self-sustaining.  The centers are Platte County Community Center North in Platte City, and Platte County Community Center South in Parkville.
• Prairie Creek Greenway, opened on June 3, 2006, is located just south of Platte City.  It includes a paved walking and biking trail approximately 6 miles long.
• Platte County Parks & Recreation has produced a "video brochure" at Green Hills of Platte Wildlife Preserve.  The eight minute video explores the cultural and natural history of the Preserve.  The video can be viewed on their website at www.co.platte.mo.us/parks.
• There have been many improvements to the Shiloh Springs Golf Club.  Golfers will also notice exciting new programs and merchandise selection.
• A new organization has been established to support parks and trails in Platte County.  The "Friends of Platte County Parks and Recreation" is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promote and enhance the new park system.  For more information, check their website at www.friendsofplattecountyparks.org.

The Corps of Engineers

The Corps has planted native grasses and forbs to encourage Quail preservation in areas around Smithville Lake.  Many of these can be seen from the trails.