The registration deadline for field trips ends April 2th or until full.
Trip #1. Smithville Lake Kayak Tour
Embark on a captivating kayak tour through the scenic wonders of Smithville Lake. Our journey begins at the picturesque W Boat Ramp, offering a seamless entry into the tranquil waters. As you paddle along, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing experience that takes you all the way to Little Platte Park. The tour unveils the stunning beauty of Smithville Lake, surrounded by lush forests and teeming with wildlife, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. En route, you’ll pass by the charming marina, a bustling hub for boating enthusiasts, where modern leisure meets the natural world. A highlight of your adventure is the remarkable encounter with Woodhenge, an ancient solar calendar dating back to 700-1000 AD. This mystical site, meticulously replicated, will transport you back in time, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich history of this unique area.
The kayak tour is designed for all levels of paddlers, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. It promises a perfect fusion of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and the serenity of the lake. Join us for an unforgettable journey through Smithville Lake, where every stroke of your paddle reveals a new layer of wonder and history.
Trip # 2. Rain Drop Walk
When a drop of rain falls on the Lenexa civic campus, it begins a long and busy journey to the heart of the City Center Watershed. Across the watershed, the City of Lenexa uses traditional stormwater treatment methods paired with natural solutions to clean and carry this rainfall to its destination. Lenexa’s Raindrop Walk is a walking tour that takes you on the journey of a raindrop. From the Lenexa Rec Center’s main entrance to a bridge over the creek that carries water to Shawnee Mission Lake, you will venture across six stops throughout the 0.55 mile walk (1.1 miles round trip). At each sign, you’ll learn what challenges we face in protecting our water supply, how Lenexa treats rain runoff and ways you can help improve water quality at home — many of which you can receive reimbursement for through our Cost Share Program.
This Tour will take approximately 1.5 hours and is a 20 minute bus ride from the Intercontinental Hotel.
Trip # 3. Kansas City Bike Tour
8-10 mile bike guided ride starting and ending at the hotel. The route will take you south to Loose Park then east to the Ward Parkway which we will follow to Brush Creek to visit a number of KC parks and conservation areas. The route will include a visit to the Nelson Atkins museum front yard for photos and a snack before we return to the hotel.
This ride will be easy to moderate on difficulty scale and will be approximately 2 hours.
Analog bike rental $40 per person
EBike rental – $60 per person
Bike rental includes helmet and safety lights on each bike.
Trip # 4. Kiss the Ground Movie
Join Us for a movie afternoon and discussion to follow (popcorn included!)
Kiss the Ground,” a feature-length movie which focuses on regenerative agriculture as a solution to ecosystem, health and climate problems.
Kiss the Ground – Understanding Ag
Trip # 5. Kansas City Levees Program Tour
The $529M KC Levees program is one of the largest, most complex, Civil Works project that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Kansas City District has delivered. The program will improve the reliability and resiliency of 17 miles of levees and floodwalls located along the Kansas River in the Kansas City metropolitan area. This collaborative effort between the USACE and three non-federal partners – the Kaw Valley Drainage District of Wyandotte County, Kansas; the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas; and the City of Kansas City, Missouri – will reduce the risk of flooding by approximately 200% for 30,000 people, over $10B of investments, and a nationally critical warehousing, distribution, and railroad hub.
This field trip will be led by Scott Messing, USACE and highlight USACE’s mission to reduce flood risk along our Nation’s waterways, showcase pump station, levee, and floodwall improvements along the Kansas River, provide a tour of the new Rock Island Bridge development, and provide insight into techniques utilized to ensure successful delivery of this critical project to the community.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.