The Blue River Parkway (BRP or BuRP) is one of the oldest trail systems in Kansas City and contains anything from easy/smooth trail to some of the most difficult technical sections in the city. The trails straddle the Blue River and sections are commonly referred to as the East side (of the river) trails and West side trails.
The East side has approximately 15 miles of trail with easy trails along the river, trails with increasing difficulty once you cross Blue River Rd. and move up the bluff between Blue Ridge Blvd and Martha Truman Rd, and an intermediate loop North of Red Bridge Rd just East of Alex George Lake. River Trails are very smooth and flowy. Basement Trail is easy on the South end but has some advanced sections as you move north.
BoHoCa Trail is an intermediate difficulty trail. Highline and Wagon Trails are the most difficult trails at BRP with technical climbs and large rock obstacles. Bridger and Badger trails (closed to equestrians) form an intermediate to technical 3 mile loop.
The East side trails are best accessed from the Tennis Court, Brown Athletic, or Alex George trail heads.
The West side has a total of approximately 4 miles of trail which is mostly flat railroad bed with amazing bluff views over the Blue River. These trails are not as well maintained and get overgrown in the summer. Feel free to explore these trails but be prepared for fallen limbs and overgrown bushes.
The East side trails offer a much better single track experience.
The West side trails are accessed from the 118th and Lydia trailhead.
Red Bridge Love Locks
One of the most notable features on the trail is the Old Red Bridge Love Locks (LOCATION: Between Holmes and Blue River Road on Red Bridge Road, KCMO). Celebrate your commitment by “locking your love” to the Old Red Bridge in Minor Park. The placing of love locks is a custom whereby couples affix a padlock to a bridge, fence, gate or similar fixture so pronouncing their unbreakable and everlasting love.
The Old Red Bridge is adjacent to the new bridge located on Red Bridge Road between Holmes and Blue River Road in south Kansas City. The bridge is also a popular wedding location.
Hours: The bridge is open during regular park hours, 5 a.m.-Midnight/seven days a week.
Key Drop Box: After you lock your love, help keep the Blue River clean by tossing your key into special boxes attached to the bridge. Your donated keys will be used by the organization Monarchs on the Move to create a sculpture of the iconic Monarch Butterfly that travels through Kansas City on its amazing multi-generational migration.
Purchase a Lock (visitors must bring their own locks; locks are not available to purchase at the bridge)
Visit www.lock-itz.com to purchase a custom lock with a portion of proceeds supporting KC Parks. Include “I LOVE KC Parks!” in the notes section when ordering.
Visit MakeLoveLocks.com
Lovelocks are also available for purchase at the Minor Park Golf Course Pro Shop.
View Images/VideoView more images of the Old Red Bridge Love Locks in our Facebook Photo Album or click on GALLERY on the top right. Watch a video about the Old Red Bridge Love Locks.
History of the Old Red BridgeIn 1859, the first red bridge was built by Colonel George N. Todd, a 50-year old Scottish stonemason. The 100-foot span covered wooden bridge on stone piers was located just downstream from today’s bridges at the actual trail crossing. It was painted red, hence the origin of “Red Bridge.”
The original bridge was torn down in 1892 and a steel bridge, called a “tin” bridge, also painted red replaced it. The 1859 bridge was dismantled and the wood recycled into barns by local farmers.
A third and current Old Red Bridge replaced the 1892 “tin” bridge and was dedicated by Harry S. Truman (when he was a judge) in 1932 during the Great Depression. The bridge is made of concrete, steel and red granite. It was built by Jackson County; Richard Wakefield was the architect.
When the new Red Bridge was opened, the Old Red Bridge was re-purposed as the Love Locks Bridge. More than 5,000 locks have been placed on the bridge since opening in February of 2013.
