The Jim P. Martinez Sunflower Trail follows the bank of the Arkansas River and Cow Creek in Hutchinson, Kansas. The trail provides useful connections to residential and commercial areas, as well as parks and recreation facilities.
At the paved trail’s southern end, the sprawling Carey Park offers a playground, picnic area, golf course, swimming pool, baseball diamonds and basketball courts, among other amenities. In the north, the smaller (but still substantial) Rice Park features many of the same recreational amenities, as well as tennis courts and accessible restroom facilities.
Parking for the Jim P. Martinez Sunflower Trail is available in Rice Park, which can be accessed from both Swarens Street and Hendricks Street. Farther south, park at Carey Park off Carey Park Boulevard.
Wish they would take care of the bike trail. The expansion strips are too large of a gap. My husbands spokes on his wheels broke off, because of how bumpy it is! He had to replace his wheels which are not cheap. And his bike was brand new!! I love the trail, I just wish they would fix the gaps, so we do not ruin our bikes. Will not ride, until they are fixed. We drive to Wichita to ride on the trails there.
This trail is very long but worth it
Winds along a river bed from one park to another. Several optional alternatives along the way, do some of them north, then the others south. As has been mentioned, pretty wide "expansion strips" every 50 feet or so on long sections of the trail making for bumpy ride, no worse than most city streets. Easy to pop over to Main St in Hutchinson for every downtown store/restaurant experience in a town this size.
Fantastic ride, sure it is a bit worn but the plus side is no Vehicular traffic. several miles long it also winds through Carey park and connects to So. Hutchinsons bike trails.
The scenery seen from the trail is pleasant enough. However, the asphalt surface has many, many wide cracks across it --- from one end of the trail to the other. These can considerably lessen the enjoyment of riding this trail, particularly if your bike has small wheels. My folding bike has 20" wheels, so the wide cracks were quite noticeable and are the reason for rating this as only two stars.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!