139th & Prospect Ave KCMO 64146
Winter Prairie Walk:
Jerry Smith Park Trail
Trail Length: 1.4 miles
Estimated Walk Time: 60-90 minutes
Free Event Hosted by The Resilient Activist (Donations are welcome!)
Ages 12+
Highlights for the walk: The trail loops through 360 acres of native Missouri tallgrass prairie. The winter prairie can be both bleak and beautiful. It’s subject to biting wind and bright, warm sun, often at the same time. It forces us to be open to easily overlooked beauty in imperfect conditions. With a warm beverage and good company, a winter prairie walk is fun, invigorating, and maybe a little muddy—but you won’t have to worry about ticks or mosquitos!
What to Wear & Recommended Accessories
This is an easy trail with few moderate inclines but some parts can be muddy and we may encounter ice or snow depending on the weather.
Wear warm shoes, preferably water-resistant, with good tread. Wool or warm socks, warm layers, gloves/mittens, and a good winter coat and hat are essential. Waterproof pants over warm pants are a wonderful addition to keep you dry.
The trail is on a hill with no tree cover, so we recommend wearing sunscreen and sunglasses. A warm beverage in an insulated travel mug is a nice addition. Cameras/smartphones are welcome and stopping for photos is encouraged.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.”– Billy Connolly, Scottish Comedian
Why nature-connection is important
We *are* nature but our culture and lifestyle can separate from our connection with our environment. Re-establishing our sense of awareness and belonging in nature by breaking down barriers and spending more time outdoors helps each of us in different ways. It can reduce anxiety and depression, improve physical health, inspire creativity, improve clarity of thought, facilitate problem-solving, and help us gain perspective. In a society where loneliness is an epidemic, rediscovering our sense of belonging within nature can help us feel a little less adrift and provide comfort when relationships with others fall short.
About Trail Leader, April Graham
“I grew up as a free-range child raised in equal parts by nature and science-loving parents, a labrador retriever, and two cats. Adventuring was encouraged in all weather and some of our best memories were made in rain, sleet, and snow. I volunteered as a kid with my parents at the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty, MO, and worked there briefly in high school and college. My career has been divided between hospitality management for the first part and executive education, student experience, and engagement at the UMKC Bloch School of Management for the past nine years. I enjoy rambling walks outside, gardening, photography, meteor showers, audiobooks, and watching K-dramas on Netflix. “