Grain Valley sits on the eastern edge of Kansas City’s booming suburban sprawl. Within the space of a decade it has morphed from a walkable and bikeable farming town into an automobile-dependent suburban bedroom community. Citizens seem to be realizing the impact of sprawl on their community, and the city has responded with a plan for a trail system to connect residents to schools, recreation, shopping and employment.
In April 2008 Grain Valley residents will vote on a 1/2 cent sales tax to fund 22 miles of trails along creeks and utility corridors. It would eventually include three ways to cross the big barriers of I-70 and US 40 Hwy, which divide one of the fastest growing suburbs in the KC metro area.
- Independence Examiner: Grain Valley may ask for sales tax for trails.
- City of Grain Valley trail master plan (PDF).
- Trail plan map (PDF).
Bravo, I am all for bringing the benefits of trails and byways to Grain Valley. And anything that curbs exurbia is a great thing.
Here we are in 2007, figuring out that communities need centers, not malls- neighborhoods, not developments.