I biked from the Plaza to Arrowhead. Here's what I saw.
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No kickstand on this speed machine. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
A lesser-known trail system can get you from the Plaza out to the Truman Sports Complex, and the city wants fans to use it.
The big picture: I biked its length to see firsthand what it's like — and if Brush Creek is as stinky as people say.
Driving the news: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas took to social media last week and encouraged riding to Arrowhead, called Kansas City Stadium for the World Cup.
- He acknowledged local skepticism in another post this week and suggested scheduling a group ride.
I started the route at the Plaza streetcar and bus hub, since you can take bikes on both.
- Signs along the Brush Creek Trail point the way to the stadium and count down the miles (and kilometers, for international visitors).
- A bridge over the creek connects to Colorado Avenue and then to the Blue River Trail, which leads to a bike rack station at Stadium Drive.
- The mayor's office tells Axios a shuttle service will be available at the bike drop during World Cup matches.
By the numbers: The 6.5-mile route took me about half an hour, biking at roughly 13 mph.
- More leisurely cyclists can expect 45 minutes to an hour.
The vibe: The Brush Creek Greenway takes you along the water, under bridges and past urban wetlands.
- I saw blue and green herons, turtles, fish and a groundhog — plus dozens of freshly planted trees.
Yes, but: Some areas were laden with trash and debris. Unfortunately, it didn't smell great in those areas and others.
- Sections of the Blue River Trail were muddy with standing water and hard to bike through.
What they're saying: "With the storms recently, some smelly stuff from the bottom may have been kicked up," Parks and Recreation spokesperson Toni Zibert tells Axios.
- "Parks has a dedicated maintenance team that attends directly to Brush Creek and the Greenway on a daily weekday schedule," plus a group of volunteers, she says.
- A push to improve the water quality and park cleanliness has gained traction in recent years, she adds, and problems can be reported to 311 or the Parks Department.
Between the lines: Dutch fans are in town for the World Cup this week, and they're known for walking to the stadium. Police have discouraged doing so from downtown, and the city is planning a march starting at the Power and Light District on Thursday.
- The Netherlands is also famous for its cycling culture.
- "Every Kansas Citian and our guests have the right to commute to the stadium via any lawful method," Lucas tells Axios.
Travis' thought bubble: Despite some issues, I was pleasantly surprised with the trail's overall beauty, including wildflowers, landscaping, wildlife and bridge architecture.
- With some more resources, this path could be a KC jewel.
If you go: Things get pretty remote out east, so take some water, charge your phone and follow the trail signs.