Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly Map_103731_sc.jpg)
The Rock Creek Trail links Country Club Park and Rotary Park on the west side of Independence. It offers nice views of the tree-lined creek that it follows and crosses several times. Between the parks, the trail is crushed stone; inside each park, the trail is paved. On the north end of the trail, Rotary Park offers picnic areas, restrooms, a playground, and a sprayground in the summer.
Parking is available on the north end of the trail at Rotary Park (10615 E. 24th Street) and the south end at Country Club Park (2930 S. Norton Avenue).
I was so excited to see we had a bike trail so close to our house. Unfortunately, the gravel is so course that I almost wiped out several times while traveling on my cargo bike with two small children in tow. The trail would be much better with chat like the Little Blue Trail.
This trail has deteriorated more since my last review, for 3 years I’ve been promised that the trail will be graded and overplayed with the next budget, for 2 years this hasn’t happened, so I’m pretty sure nothing will happen again this year. At this point this trail is very unsafe due to the neglect of city of independence, while building new trails they have done little or no maintenance on a major portion of this trail. Rock Creek Trail has become an embarrassment to Independence
Trail is at this point is unsafe. I’ve been told by mayor wier that trail will be paved soon and cleaned up
The paved 1/4 mile trail at Rotary Park is smooth, has only a few other walkers and has the benefit of close parking, water fountains, picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, large open grassy area for free play and spray parks for water play (spray grounds are closed on Mondays for maintenance). This is a great place to walk with kids - you can see them from every part of the trail and there is enough variety to keep multiple children's interest while you walk/run. There is also a creek just off of the park if you enjoy exploring and letting your kids play there.
The paved trails at Country Club park are very similar - same 1/4 mile smooth trail, intermittent shade to walk in. Country Club park/trail has more shade with large Oak trees and a nice breeze usually moving across the North part of the trail. The play area is perfect for younger children; the small steps and little slides are easy to navigate. Older children get bored very quickly on this playground unless you bring activities, but the large grassy area and basketball court are perfect for sports. Children can also explore the creek or bring a blanket for a picnic. There are no restrooms, no water fountains, no picnic tables at this park/trail, but the pretty view, quiet and shade are a nice place to walk.
*As with most parks in Independence, the majority of people/walkers are very nice and friendly, however parks are also popular for people who are vagrant and sometimes for those buying/selling drugs. I have never had a problem at these trails but practicing usual precautions is wise as at any park/trail.
Extremely short trail, only maintained to the most basic levels.
_218127_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
