Trails & Green Spaces

Nature Areas and Trails

Guided group tours are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. to introduce visitors to the world of nature. They can be arranged by calling Park Naturalist Tom Hammer at 291-2663. Nature tours through the Warren Nature area (east of Felker Park ball diamonds) are being offered for the physically challenged person. This will be a riding tour limited to 10 non-walkers at a time with a tractor pulling a low trailer that wheelchairs can roll onto and park benches may be placed for the 10 riders. Participants will visit wetlands habitat, native grass areas, stream-side settings and woodlands along the Shunga Creek. The tour is also offered as a walking tour. Call 291-2663 to schedule. Tours start at the east end of the Felker parking lot.

Shunga Trail is a concrete bicycle/pedestrian path beginning at Crestview Park (near SW 27th and SW Fairlawn) and continues to the east near SE 10th & SE Branner. The trail is being constructed in phases and will eventually stretch across Topeka. Bicycle riders, skateboarders and in-line skaters are reminded that walkers have the right-of-way and are asked to ride under control at all times.

Brookfield Park is a concrete pedestrian path beginning at SW 23rd and SW Kingsrow and extends 0.3 miles.

Freedom Valley is a concrete pedestrian path beginning at SE 14th and SE Locust and extends 0.75 miles.

Landon Trail is a gravel trail being converted to concrete in sections. Southeast 17th to SE 45th Street have been completed. The trail is converted from abandoned railroad track right-of-way that runs from SE 17th to SE Sanneman Drive, extending 4.75+ miles.

Warren Nature Area at SW 25th and SW Gage (East of Felker Park) has approximately 3 miles of trails. A wetland area shows how nature cleans runoff water and keeps silt from entering large streams. This area is the top spot in the Topeka park system for viewing birds and insects. There are many offshoot trails available and additional walks ranging from 1 - 2 miles can be taken.

Dornwood Nature Trail at SE 25th and SE Highland is a 2-mile woodland hiking trail that has evolved from prairie to hardwood forest. This is a popular field trip for school classes studying plants, soil or wildlife. Guided tours can be arranged through Park Naturalist, Tom Hammer, at 291-2663.

Orville Rice Nature Trail winds along Shunga Creek from SW Gage Boulevard to Shunga Glen Park. The mowed grass trail is very popular for bird watching, as well as viewing aquatic wildlife. Wear your boots, this is really a nature trail!

Soldier Creek Trail is located in North Topeka. This 1.8-mile concrete bicycle/pedestrian trail runs from NE Garfield Park to NE Lyman Road.

Clarion Woods is Topeka's newest nature area at SW 37th and SW Fairlawn. It features a fishing pond and a half-mile trail through a red cedar forest. The site includes a barrier free fishing dock.

Lake Shawnee Walking/Biking Trail
Lake Shawnee recently completed their walking/biking path that now completely encircles the entire lake. The trail is a little over 7 miles of wide concrete path that meanders around beautiful Lake Shawnee. There are markers on the path that denote each quarter mile.

For more information, call 785.267.1156 or visit parks.snco.us

City of Topeka and Shawnee

County Trails Map
The Trails Map is available at any Parks and Recreation community center or by calling 368-3838.