FAQ: Proposing New Trails

Urban Trail Co. may consider new volunteer-based trail projects if they are desired by the land manager; are potentially five miles in length and with terrain that supports sustainable building; have a seasoned trail builder volunteer in place, willing to lead the project and stay with it for multiple years; and have an existing volunteer base willing to work on the trail. If your potential project meets these criteria, please let us know using our contact page.

We highly recommend that you obtain and read the IMBA Trail Solutions book, which covers the entire trail building approvals and construction process. In general, your first step will be to make an agreement with the land owner or land manager to allow a trail on the property. You will also want to make sure your trail building skills are up to the challenge, by volunteering at as many trail work days as possible. Gaining access, planning, and building trails can be a long process. Show up, work with, and get to know other trail builders - the more you can learn, the more solid your efforts will be.

Urban Trail Co. exists to support the network of volunteer trail builders across the Kansas City metro. Trails are volunteer-driven. When volunteers show up to maintain the types of trails and features they like, it is easier to support the development of those types of trails and features. When volunteers are few for those types of trails and features, it is harder to support having more of them. If you want more of a particular type of trail or feature, please show up to volunteer for those trails!

Second, Urban Trail Co. works together with our land manager partners, who have the ultimate say in what kinds of trail design exist in their parks. They provide direction in the character of trails to create wide appeal and attract more visitors for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running in the parks. 

Finally, Urban Trail Co. is committed to sustainable trail building. Trails that erode quickly require more costly ongoing maintenance. Soil and slope characteristics differ widely by location, and what may work on one piece of terrain may not be sustainable elsewhere.