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Preserve Pawnee Prairie as Horse & Hiking Trails

373 Comments

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Dennis Wayne Rymon
7 years ago

Although this should be maintained as an equestrian park as it was originally intended, if bicyclists are to be allowed access, there should be a better enforcement plan than the reporting of violators to the local police. There is no such thing as a bomb proof horse and a serious accident, or accidents are sure to occur.

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Dori Barnard
8 years ago

Keep this park open for horseback riding and hikers.

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Debra M Hoskins
8 years ago

I would LOVE to have even just one park wherein it is safe to hike or ride horse without having to watch out for bicyclists.

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Donna peery
9 years ago

Pawnee prairie park is one of a kind where you can enjoy nature on foot or horses for once make a decision for what is right. There are so many other park for bikers of every kind only one like this park. The fact that it was so all underhanded and not discussed with those most effected tells you all you need to know.

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Diane Pahl
9 years ago

Not in favor of opening to bike traffic. Keep it natural and allow horseback trails.

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Linda Dixon
9 years ago

The park, Pawnee Prairie, needs to be preserved for equestrian and hikers only. No bicyclists should be allowed on the trails in the park n

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Cindy Alexander
9 years ago

Not safe for horse riders

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Michael Foulk
9 years ago

Do not develop our nature park!

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Melissa Haddad
9 years ago

Bicycles and horses don't mix! I have a very reliable horse, and I guarantee he would spook at a bike that came up on us. I can't believe that this has even come to this point. Someone is going to get hurt, and the city WILL be sued. There are already plenty of trails for cyclists. Arguing there are none out west and people have to drive? Guess whet, horseback riders have to drive to Pawnee Prairie. There are no trails right outside OUR back doors. Is the city prepared to accommodate riders by building new trails for us??? I'm guessing not.

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Bobbi King
9 years ago

Keep this lovely park the way it is please!

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Becky Smith
9 years ago

It's not just the Wichita residents who enjoy this park. And those of us from out of town spend money when we come to town to ride.

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Mary mays
9 years ago

Let the horses have priority on this. Plenty of other places to bike

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Karla Dolatta
9 years ago

Horses and Hikers Only!! Equestrians have very few places to ride and have kept the trails upkeep for a long time. It's size has already been cut down, don't allow bicyclists and increase potential hazzards of riding. Adults and kids alike ride at the park. Do not want to see injuries or worse. Allow horse enthusiast the same respect and space to ride as bicyclists already have miles of areas to ride without taking over the horse trails too!!

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Valarie Bowlby
9 years ago

Eventually there will be no nature. Only parks where some seemingly wild creatures still inhabit. Make sure Pawnee prairie stays a nature park and all parts of it are open to equestrians who encourage wildlife rather than discourage it.

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Lori Lohrenz
9 years ago

There's already the Air Capital singletrack bike trail right by Pawnee Prairie and West Kellogg...where else are there trails for horseback riding in Wichita?? There are now lots of various options for bikers that don't endanger hikers or horses. Respect those who developed, maintained, and promoted Pawnee Prairie for over 75 years! It is a quiet, twisty, wooded trail along the Cowskin Creek where I took my kids on their first nature hikes as toddlers. We walked quietly and slowly in order to not spook the deer and other wildlife that we often got to view quite close up. When I need a quiet, rural-feeling getaway I still head out to Pawnee Prairie trails. These were not developed with bikes in mind, and bikes are not appropriate in this setting. Bikes are more damaging to the trails, and the kids (and adults, who are just as rude if not more!) I've seen on bikes there do not stay on the trails, but go off-roading and disrespecting the nature of the the park. The variety of parks across Wichita is one of the city's strengths. We spent summers finding new parks to explore with our kids every week, but never found another like Pawnee Prairie with its horseback riders. It is an unmatched experience, and should remain so. While we are avid bike-riders, we understand that not every place is suited for bikes. Creating a safe access point for the neighborhood to the Air Cap trails could be a viable solution, and one I hope you will seriously consider.

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Tami Harris
9 years ago

www.facebook.com/kneehighandme

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Mona Drouhard
9 years ago

No. No. No!!

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Lori Lawrence
9 years ago

Bicycles are great but they do not need to occupy every square inch of parkland in Wichita. Keep them out of this park.

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LK Robinson
9 years ago Featured

Please keep bicycle out of Pawnee Prairie Park. It is enjoyed for hiking and I'm glad that all these years I was able to walk my dogs without bicycles whizzing by. And we enjoy seeing the horses, something that isn't possible at any other park in Wichita. Thank you.

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Linda Robinson
9 years ago

Keep bicycles out of Pawnee Prairie Park! Keep the park serine for horses. Bicycles stay in the city!