The Trolley Trail does not belong to you

By Mark Forsythe The Kansas City Post The Harry Wiggins Trolley Trail is by all accounts a wonderful amenity for Brookside and Waldo. Spanning the length from Brush Creek all the way down to 85th Street and turning East to Prospect, it is used by hundreds of walkers, runners, bicyclists, dog walkers and even commuters who walk to school or work. I have had the privilege of serving on the Country Club Right Of Way Advisory Committee (CCROW) since about 1992 Correction: 2002. Got my decades mixed up! The CCROW is a group of citizen volunteers representing various neighborhoods and business entities along the trail. We meet every few months and discuss various projects and issues having to do with the trail. Things like right-of-way leases, landscaping, signage and general care and maintenance all fall under the jurisdiction of the CCROW. This morning our two new councilmembers from the 4th District, Jan Marcason and Beth Gottstein attended so they were given a history of the Trolley Trail by legal counsel Jerry Riffel. I too learned some things, or re-learned some things. I'm starting to reach that age where I can't remember if I already knew it or forgot it! For instance, did you know the Trolley Trail actually served as a freight line in the 70's? I think I knew that but I can't remember! The meeting progressed and we covered issues like the extension of the trail down 85th Street, the Crestwood sewer improvement project and the eventual Brookside Interceptor sewer project which will all affect the trail. It was the general maintenance and suggestion part of the meeting where I really learned something. Apparently the Trolley Trail belongs to a couple of the "original" members and they alone will determine how the trail is used and whom will use it. This was all new information to me. I relayed comments to the group that I have received about the trail. Mainly that people wonder why the trail is made of crushed rock? It's dusty in the summer time, kicking up in the air with every passing individual coating people and property with rock dust. It washes out in sections after a heavy rain, leaving the trail impassable. Its light color and poor heat transfer properties prevent it from melting during the winter leaving the trail unusable for weeks at a time. Finally the loose surface is a hazard to bicyclists, both young and old. I tried to present my comments in a constructive tone. I realize the KCATA doesn't have a ton of money to put down a hard, more permanent surface all at once. I was just bringing a community viewpoint to the group. One self-proclaimed original member of the group proceeded to not only disagree with me, but attempt to dress me down (bad idea) in front of the group (really bad idea). That privilege is reserved for my wife, and the maybe the person that signs my paychecks. This person informed me that the trail is only for walkers and he "doesn't want bicyclists and their high speeds on his trail." "It is not a running trail and it is certainly not for bicyclists" was his main argument. "Kids on bikes are okay but as far as the gravel goes kids are going to wipe out (emphasis mine) and that's just the way it is." Nothing like tough love for the kids of Brookside and Waldo! The other long-time member was attempting to chime in with agreement and simultaneously mention the fact that he's an architect all in one breath which in itself was quite an impressive feat! When I interjected and stated that times change, neighborhoods change and people's usage of the Trolley Trail has changed his final red-faced retort was "Things don't change!" Perhaps in some people's minds the trail should be reserved for men in bowler hats and women with parasols and hoop skirts strolling along while watching children play with a hoop and stick. So I have learned something today. The Trolley Trail belongs to the original members of the CCROW who were there when I was still struggling with Algebra II. Bicyclists and their gosh-darned high speeds are not welcome, and perhaps the most important lesson of all. Things don't change. Glad I got that straight!