Dogwood Trailblazers


Sponsoring American Volkssporting Association (AVA)Walks
Joplin Missouri Area

One Time Walks - Fall '09

Flyer - Click on the dogwood image on the left to have your own copy of the information below.  If you can print a duplex copy, then the material will fold to make a three part flyer. If not, just print normally.

The Autumn Event will be two walks on Saturday, October 24, 2009.  The morning walk will be in Oswego, Kansas with lunch following about midday and the afternoon walk will be in Columbus, Kansas.

Morning Walk
OSWEGO, KANSAS: Oswego is a city of approximately 2,000 residents situated along the Neosho River in the eastern part of Labette County, Kansas. It was named after Oswego, New York by the many early settlers from that area. It was proclaimed a city by the governor in 1880.

COURSE: The 5K and 10K walks are rated 1+ because of a few slight hills. They start and end at Riverside Park (located on a high bluff overlooking the Neosho River) and winds through much of the residential part of town as well as the downtown area. The 10K trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers because of a section of gravel road. Dogs must be leashed at all times. The walk qualifies for the following special programs: Firehouses, Historic Churches, Native American Culture, Courthouses, Museums, Authors and Literary Landmarks, Riverwalk America.

START / FINISH: The course start / finish point is at Riverside Park in Oswego. Walkers may start anytime between 8 am and 10 am and must finish by 12:30 PM. The event will be held rain or shine. Rest rooms and water are available at the start / finish point.

DIRECTIONS: Exit I-44 at Exit 1 and head west approximately six miles on Hwy 166 / 400 toward Baxter Springs, Kansas. Turn right on US 400 for approximately 3 miles. Turn right on Historic Route 66 / Hwy 400 / Hwy 69. Continue nine miles passing through Crestline, and turn left onto Hwy 160. Follow Hwy 160 through Columbus, Kansas (7.5 miles) and continue another 15 miles to Oswego. Almost immediately upon entering Oswego on Hwy 160, turn right (north) on Union St. Follow Union St. six blocks to North St. Right (east) on North St. one block to Oregon. Left on Oregon entering Riverside Park for registration and the walk start point.

REFRESHMENTS: Lunch will be provided at the Riverside Park start / finish point between 11 am and 1 pm.

Afternoon Walk
COLUMBUS, KANSAS: Columbus is the second largest city and county seat of Cherokee County, Kansas. It sprang up around the junction of the St. Louis and San Francisco and the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas railroads and was a regional center of agricultural trade. It was named after the city of Columbus, Ohio by one of the city’s founders who hailed from that city.

COURSE: The 5K and 10K walks are rated a 1. They are over flat terrain and on city streets and sidewalks. They wind through residential areas, the downtown area, and at one point the outskirts of town bordering farm land. Dogs must be leashed at all times. The walk qualifies for the following special programs: Authors and Literary Landmarks, Courthouses, Firehouses, Historic Churches, Museums.

START / FINISH: The start / finish point is at the City Park located approximately 1/2 mile west of US 69 on Country Road between Delaware and Kansas streets. Walkers may start anytime between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm and must be finished by 4:30 pm. Restrooms and water are available at the start / finish point. The event will be held rain or shine.

DIRECTIONS: Exit I-44 at Exit 1 and head west approximately six miles on Hwy 166 / 400 toward Baxter Springs, Kansas. Turn right on US 400 for approximately 3 miles. Turn right on Historic Route 66 / Hwy 400 / Hwy 69. Continue nine miles passing through Crestline, and then turn left onto Hwy 160. Follow Hwy 160 for 7.5 miles to Columbus, Kansas. Almost immediately upon entering Columbus turn left onto Hwy 69 and travel south through town approximately 1/2 mile to County Road (immediately prior to Pizza Hut). Right on Country Road approximately 1/4 mile to Kansas St., right on Kansas St. one block to Grimes. Registration will be at the pavilion located near the corner of Kansas St. and Grimes in the Columbus City Park.

CONTACT: For more information contact Dan Houser, ph. (417) 649-6404, e-mail: wdhouser@mchsi.com, or Paul Swaim, ph. (417) 624-0133, e-mail: swaim@cableone.net.