Big Blue Battlefield Walking Tour Impacted by Extension of the Blue River Trail

The City of Kansas City is extending the Blue River Trail system (although this website has not yet been updated to reflect the etensions of the trail) north from Swope Park. There is a newly completed portion of this hiking/biking trail runs through the Big Blue Battlefield Park between the Blue River and Hardesty Avenue.  This section is a 12 foot wide concrete-paved trail is easily accessed from Hardesty Avenue about 0.2 miles north of 63rd Street.

The Blue River Trail impacts our Big Blue Battlefield Walking Tour by providing an alternate way to get to some of the tour stops. Here's a brief description of the alternate route.

The extension of the Blue River Trail north from Swope Park now provides an easier way to get to the spot where Dee’s Battalion crossed the Big Blue River and the east bank where Byram’s Ford crossed the Big Blue River. By taking this alternate route you will visit three tour stops in a different order-- Byram’s Ford, East Bank, followed by Byram’s Ford Road, East, and followed by Dee’s Battalion River Crossing.

The section of the Blue River Trail crossing the Historic Byram’s Ford Road has been completed. The trail in this area is a concrete paved hiking and biking path on the east side of the Blue River. The trail pops out onto Hardesty Avenue about 0.2 miles north of 63rd Street. From there it’s about a 150 yard walk down to the point [Waypoint = 39.017675, -94.521361] on the Blue River Trail where you should be able to see the Byram’s Ford sign located on the west bank of the Blue River. This is also the location where the Historic Byram’s Ford Road crosses the Blue River Trail. Just north of the trail is a ravine and just north of the ravine is the path followed by the historic road. Plans are underway to install interpretive signs at this location in 2017.

If you continue walking north on the trail another 450 yards or so you reach the point where Dee’s Battalion crossed the Big Blue River. You should be able to tell you have reached the spot because the trail passes over the big culvert that was installed when Hardesty Avenue was built. This culvert was placed in the ravine followed by Dee’s Battalion to reach the river. You are also very close to the river and to Hardesty Avenue. Plans are underway to install an interpretive sign at this location in 2017.
 

Last changed: Jul 22 2016 at 11:25 AM