Day hike at Wallace State Park - CANCELLED
February 21 - 1pm

We'll meet at the shelter house at 1 pm to hike for about two hours on a rolling grass / dirt/ wood chip trail. Hiking boots are suggested and a walking stick is helpful. The trail covers a variety of scenery including upland, lowland, old fields, streams and forest. Directions: Take I-35 north to the Wallace State Park exit #48. Turn right on Hwy 69 and left on 121. Picnic shelters are near the entrance. Contact: Kathy at 816.587.0801

Perry Lake Hiking Trail Clearing
March 13

Saturday, March 13 is our next trail clearing day at Perry Lake. Let’s celebrate the last dark day before DST. Anticipate leaving KC about 8 AM and returning in late afternoon. We will be joining with the Sierra club at Perry to coordinate our work. Carpools can be arranged since Perry is about 15 miles northwest of Lawrence. I have most tools, but if you have a lopper you are attached to, you can bring it. Bring water and lunch. I expect to have the usual mega-calorie breakfast at the IHOP located at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch at about 7 AM. If you have questions or want to join, contact me. As to exactly what we will be doing – that info should be ready for the March newsletter.

Contact: Dave at dbrackey@tb-engr.com or 913.541.0581 (H)

Kill Creek Trail Clearing
March 27 & April 11

Two dates have been tentatively set for the spring trail work on the Kill Creek hiking trails. Saturday, March 27 at 1:15 PM; park in Lot 1 and we will cover the north trails. Sunday, April 11 at 1:15 PM; park in the boat ramp lot. We’ll cover the south trails. Bring water and snacks if you wish. The work normally takes about three hours. I should have all the tools we will need – loppers and saw. Kill Creek Park can be reached from the Kill Creek exit on K-10 near Desoto.

Contact: Dave at dbrackey@tb-engr.com or 913.541.0581 (H)

Clean Stream Day
April 10

More info later, but for now, save the morning of April 10 for the annual streamway or trailside cleanup with Overland Park.

How to Hike a Hill: Mountaineer and Hikers Clinic
April 24

This 4 mile round trip to Suicide Hill is for the beginner mountaineer to learn and practice the techniques to make climbing hills and mountains efficient and comfortable. Experienced hikers are welcome also for a refresher course. Meet at the parking lot at the NE corner of Wornall and Gregory at 10 AM (Gregory is equal to 71st St. in Kansas.) We will hike the flat 2 miles to the park at 57th St., then stop to practice on Suicide Hill---the place kids of all ages go for sledding. Bring water and a pack if you want to practice with weight.

Contact: Margarite at 816.361.7757

Symphony in the Flint Hills Volunteer Team
June 12

If you ever wanted to attend this magical event, consider volunteering and save yourself $63. I will coordinate a carpool for anyone who wants to volunteer to work the event and attend for free. We'll head out at 9 AM for an 11 AM gate opening and plan to spend the entire day at the festival which is at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Hopefully, some of us will be able to work together. Those on the same shifts can attend some of the lectures, tours, and events together. We'll stake out our place on the lawn for the symphony when we first arrive and regroup for the concert at the end of the day. If interested, e-mail me and I will put you on my list and keep you informed of the game plan.

For more information on the festival, visit: www.symphonyintheflinthills.org.
You must fill out and send in a volunteer application as directed: www.symphonyintheflinthills.org/howtohelp/volunteer.php.

Contact: jacjsc@hotmail.com

Community Event

The follow event is not organized by KCOC members.

Weekday Birding HIke at Burr Oak Nature Center
March 19 - 8:30am-10am

Are you eager for signs of spring? We will look for the familiar winter resident birds as they become more active. Dress for the weather so we can hike off the main trails. Located one mile north of I-70 on Hwy 7, then one mile west on Park Road. Please call 816.228.3766 to register.