Parks and Recreation Director Tim Morett asked the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 10 to authorize submission of a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Recreational Trails 80/20 grant for the Tin Man Circle trail.

Morett described the project as a roughly one-mile trail around Tin Man Circle that would provide access points to Reynolds Lodge and the recreational building used for summer camps. He said the project is estimated at $725,786.25 and that — under the KDWP 80/20 formula — the county’s local share would be just over $145,000 to be paid from the Building Maintenance Fund. “It is an 8020 split,” Morett said, and asked the board for permission to solicit bids for the project.

Commissioners raised questions about informal parking near the playground and disc-golf area and whether the design should include additional parking stalls. Morett said grading in some sections will need further review and that staff want to avoid a scenario where people drive over future trail areas to park. He emphasized that the county typically fills weekend tournaments and that they expect the trail to be widely used.

Commissioner Mayes moved to authorize the grant application and solicit bids; Commissioner Kevin Cook seconded and the motion passed 2 to 0.

Next steps: Parks staff will solicit bids and will return to the board with bid results and additional project details. The county’s local-match commitment and any required construction modifications (grading, parking stalls) will be part of subsequent actions.