Trails are an integral part of our Kansas history and culture. The Oregon Trail, the Smoky Hill Trail, the Santa Fe Trail — each was a vital route toward the promise of a better life. Today, trails still hold a promise unique to each Kansas community.

“Trails add value to our lives in so many ways—increasing our mobility, improving our health, spurring economic development and job creation, protecting our environment and creating powerful connections within, to, and across communities.”
        —Rails to Trails Conservancy

Among the benefits of community trails are:

• Increased opportunities for free, equitable physical activity; trails welcome all ages, abilities and populations.
• Increased opportunities to convene with nature and enjoy the beauty of the state.
• Increased opportunities for the combination of physical activity and nature to enhance mental health and emotional well-being.
• Increased opportunities to strengthen community ties, both through the building of the trail and the collective promotion and enjoyment of the final product.

Since it began in 2005, the Sunflower Trails program has partnered with communities and schools in more than half of Kansas' counties on more than 150 projects to help build, expand, enhance or connect Kansas trails.

→ Find Sunflower Trails near your community

Visit our Grants page to learn more about current or upcoming Sunflower Trails grant opportunities. You can also contact Elizabeth Stewart Burger at eburger@sunflowerfoundation.org or (785) 232-3000.