06/14/2026
MARSHALL COUNTY CONNECTION, INC-MARYSVILLE, KANSAS recently received a $25,000 grant from Sunflower Foundation through its Paving the Way – From Blazing Trails to Building Community grant and education program, which is supporting Kansas communities at various stages of public-access trail development with customized planning support, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities.
Marysville was one of 25 communities to receive one of Sunflower’s latest trail grants, and one of seven to be awarded a Trail Town grant, which supports communities interested in becoming Certified Kansas Trail Towns. The Trail Town model is a strategy that embraces trails as community development resources and economic drivers.
“The Sunflower Foundation has been a great support to the Blue River Rail Trail from its beginning and we are excited to be working with them again to become a certified Trail Town,” said trail board member Maureen Crist.
In addition to providing flexible grant funding, the program offers grantees a chance to participate in a robust virtual learning series geared toward their stage of trail development. National trail expert Michele Archie, principal from The Harbinger Consultancy, is leading the series, with technical assistance provided by Kansas Trails, Inc. (KTI), a statewide organization dedicated to helping communities of all sizes advance their trail efforts through coordination and technical assistance.
Completing the virtual series associated with the Trail Town grants and meeting certification benchmarks allows communities to become Certified Kansas Trail Towns. This is the first time this opportunity has been provided to Kansas communities.
“We’re incredibly excited to work alongside our Paving the Way communities, whether they are just beginning their trail journeys or taking the next step in implementing the Trail Town model,” said Sunflower Director of Healthy Communities Kelli Mark, who oversees the foundation’s trail program. “Through both funding and shared learning opportunities, we’re helping communities build the knowledge, connections, and momentum needed to create lasting impact.
