If you support trails and are passionate about creating great places for Kansans to walk, run, ride, and explore, Sunflower Foundation invites you to the 2026 Trail Exchange Day, set for Oct. 29 at the Sunflower Nonprofit Center in Topeka.
Trail champions, stewards, builders, volunteers, and advocates, as well as community leaders and outdoor enthusiasts, are encouraged to attend. The free, one-day conference will provide participants with opportunities to connect with fellow trail supporters, discover new ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and help shape the future of trails in our state.
Nationally recognized trail expert Amy Camp, author of Deciding on Trails: 7 Practices of Healthy Trail Towns and founder of the outdoor recreation consulting agency Cycle Forward, will be the featured keynote speaker. She also will be leading a strategic Trail Town session.
The conference, scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will explore strategies for recruiting trail volunteers, creating more inclusive trail experiences, promoting shared-use trails, and strengthening advocacy efforts. Sessions will cover such topics as state trail funding, tips for writing successful grant applications, and opportunities to partner with Kansas Trails, Inc., a statewide organization dedicated to connecting, supporting and elevating trails across Kansas.
The day will be filled with a variety of interactive activities designed to keep things engaging, fun, and hands-on while also creating opportunities for participants to connect, learn, and enjoy their time together. Activities will include:
• Trail-in-a-Box demonstrations
• Poster presentations
• Networking with trail leaders
• Trail Trivia with prizes
• Trail Bingo raffle
While there is no cost to attend, registration is required and space is limited. Registration includes:
• Continental breakfast
• Lunch
• Afternoon snacks
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn in Topeka. Rooms are $119/night plus tax and may be reserved under the room block Sunflower Foundation Trail Exchange Day.