Meadowlark Trail officially opens, linking McPherson and Lindsborg
More than 100 community members gathered Saturday at the trail's Quivira Road entrance for the long-awaited celebration
MCPHERSON, Kan. — More than 100 people turned out Saturday, April 25, at the Quivira Road entrance of the Meadowlark Trail to mark the official opening of the 12.4-mile path connecting McPherson and Lindsborg. The midpoint celebration, hosted by the Central Kansas Conservancy, coincided with National Rails to Trails Day 2026.
Four elected officials addressed the crowd at the halfway point between the two cities. McPherson Mayor Jim Loving arrived at the event by bicycle from McPherson and was joined by Lindsborg Mayor Clark Shultz and McPherson County Commissioners Keith Becker and Tom Kueser, each of whom spoke to the significance of the regional trail.
The opening marks a milestone nearly 30 years in the making for the Central Kansas Conservancy, which spent more than 14 active years developing the route along a former Union Pacific rail corridor.
The conservancy also announced Saturday that longtime President Michele Cullen, who has coordinated volunteer trail crews for years, is retiring. Board members Ardie Streit and Austin Russell unveiled a banner for the Friends of the Trail Pavilion, a planned structure at the McPherson trailhead dedicated to Cullen in honor of her retirement, with fundraising now underway. Trail users can also visit the Dean Stewart Memorial Bridge, half a mile north of the Quivira Road entrance. For more information, contact Ardie Streit at (620) 242-4500.
Brought to you by
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
