top of page
Bike 2.jpg.png

News

quilt blocks 1.jpg
IMG_3427.JPG
Trail's Barn Quilts
By Sarah Kessinger  October 3, 2019

The Blue River Rail Trail has colorful wildflowers and birds and now a series of barn quilt panels that add more bright hues to the hiking and biking path.

Local artist Renee Hoffman has painted several multi-colored barn quilt panels, and her husband, Mark Hoffman, also an artist, has posted them on some mile markers and bridges along the trail.

Renee and her family spend a lot of time on the trail. Mark is board president for the trail development organization, Marshall County Connection.

“I spend quite a bit of time on the BRRT, it’s like my second home,” Renee said. “So, I thought I’d like to decorate it a little bit and it seemed like barn quilts would be a logical choice. They add a pop of color.”

Renee’s ideas mostly come from Pinterest, a social media application that offers do-it-yourself project ideas.

Renee has created a total 34 barn quilts so far. They range in size from 6x6 inches to 4x4 feet.

“I’ve given them mostly to family and friends and the trail.”

She’s done brightly painted quilt panels for both of the trail’s covered bridges.

Renee, who works at Citizens State Bank, studied art for two years at Emporia State University and two years at Kansas State University, where she received a bachelor of fine arts degree in metalsmithing.

“I like color and pattern so this lends to enjoying barn quilts,” she said.

The painting project pairs well with her family’s love of cycling.

“Mark and I started mountain biking when we were first married. Then once our kids were old enough, they also enjoyed biking. The BRRT has always been a favorite.”

They’ve also done single-track bike riding around Fancy Creek in Riley County and on various trails in Colorado. They later progressed to road riding such as Biking Across Kansas for several years.

“And now we are participating in gravel events, some races and some non-competitive rides. Alcove Spring is also a great place to spend time with family hiking, running or riding on numerous trails.”

bike rack 1_edited.jpg
Bike Racks Coming Soon to Marysville

The Marysville City Council has approved placement of bike racks at three locations in Marysville. They will be placed near the Pony Express statue, along the 7th street corridor and at the tent camping area in the city park. The racks have arrived and should be installed by spring.

chief standing bear trail.jpg
Chief Standing Bear Trail

Our neighbor to the north, the Chief Standing Bear Trail, was featured in the October 2017 Rails to Trails magazine. There's even a nod to our own Blue River Rail Trail!

IMG_2909.JPEG
Abandoned Railroad Lines Becomes Recreational Paths

Peter Greenberg (CBS Morning News) May 2015

Our very own Blue River Rail Trail was mentioned in a segment by Peter Greenberg on the CBS Morning News today!

grand-opening-12-300x201.jpg
100 gather for trail's ribbon-cutting celebration

By Sarah Kessinger  May 12, 2010  Updated Oct 29, 2015

Marshall County Connection board member Randy Brown, Marysville, took a large set of scissors and snipped the ribbon held by Marysville Chamber of Commerce members at the trailhead of the Blue River Rail Trail Saturday as adults and children applauded.

About 100 people gathered for a barbecue lunch to celebrate the grand opening of the first two miles of the picturesque rail trail, built on a former Union Pacific railbed along the Big Blue River.

Many had already participated in the inaugural run/walk that drew more than 80 participants from downtown Marysville up Seventh and Eighth streets onto the trail.

Bike 2.jpg.png
location icon.png
facebook icon.png

OneMarysville Trailhead

617 Broadway

Marysville, Kansas 66508

785.562.3101

Blue River Rail Trail

1129 Juniper Rd

Marysville, KS  66508

Kansas-Map-4-300x180.jpg
bottom of page