Maureen Crist, a member of the Blue River Rail Trail board, and architect Greg Yeager presented a detailed design study for the Blue River Rail Trail and the adjacent 7th Street corridor, saying the plan would stitch Pony Park and the Union Pacific Depot back into Marysville’s downtown.

“I am Maureen Crist, and I am on the board of the Blue River Rail Trail,” Crist said in opening remarks, outlining outreach the group had done with property owners, the youth advisory council and other local stakeholders. Architect Greg Yeager, who led the design work, said the study area was roughly 1,100 feet long and 70–80 feet wide and emphasized gateways, a pavilion matching the depot’s Spanish Colonial character, bioswales for stormwater, and public‑art opportunities to tell Marysville’s history.

Yeager told the council the design is being positioned to pursue outside funding. He asked for council endorsement to help with grant submissions and introductions to potential funders, including state resources. The presenters noted a near‑term milestone: documentation to position Marysville for invitation to apply to the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets program with a target internal date of February 1, 2026.

Council members pressed on maintenance, stormwater and realistic phasing. Yeager and the design team said the project would be built in layered phases and funding packages, and that stormwater mitigation (bioswales, sewer upgrades) would be central to later engineering. Council member discussion repeatedly returned to maintenance burdens and the city’s role in providing basic infrastructure while the volunteer committee pursues grants and private donations.

Councilman Jeff (last name on file in roll) moved that the city provide letters of support and other reasonable assistance, and Council approved the motion by voice vote.

The council’s formal endorsement directs staff to provide support and to coordinate public outreach and letters of support; the design team will continue community engagement and pursue grant and private funding opportunities. Presenters emphasized that the group was not asking the city for capital funds at this meeting, but for endorsement and assistance with grant applications and public relations work.