A greenway linkage is open land set aside for public use that is linear in form. It provides a connection between two or more geographical points, following natural areas (running adjacent to a stream or the base of a bluff) or those developed by man (running adjacent to a street or fence line).

• Northern Greenway Linkages Plan (.pdf file)
  • Northern Greenway Linkages Plan: Back (4.12 MB .pdf file)
• Southern Greenway Linkages Plan (1.25 MB .pdf file)
  • Southern Greenway Linkages Plan: Back (1.29 MB .pdf file)

These linkages are often used for the city's bike/pedestrian trails, buffers between differing types or intensities of land uses, as a means to conserve areas of natural or historic value, or as an enhancement to a community's parks and roadways.

The Greenway Linkages Plan and Guidelines were developed for use in guiding the development of an extensive system of linear open spaces, most of which will have bike/pedestrian trails, that link public parks and recreation facilities with schools and residences.

These documents can be used to determine the location and identify the type or types of linkages proposed in or around the area that you live.

Greenway Linkages Plan
The Greenway Linkages Plan is a map displaying the ultimate system of greenway linkages proposed in the area of the city south of 103rd Street. This plan is one of several maps that is included in the city’s Master Plan. It is updated annually and shows the types of linkages proposed and the various public and semipublic uses that are linked together.

Greenway Linkages Guidelines
The guidelines, which are only periodically reviewed, are in a separate document from the Master Plan. The guidelines describe five different types of greenway linkages that are proposed.

The City Council and Planning Commission use the Plan and Guidelines in their review of all site development proposals in this area of the city including platting of land, rezoning and special use permit applications.

The Plan and Guidelines are also used to plan for the timing of bike/pedestrian trail construction through the city's Capital Improvements Program (CIP), which is reviewed annually.

The Greenway Linkages Plan is developed through the cooperation of a three-way partnership between the city, landowners and developers. The affected landowners and developers along the proposed greenway linkage routes will sell or give land for a linkage to the city as depicted on the Greenway Linkages Plan. The city is committed to prepare the necessary general concept plan and the individual site plans, install the landscaping, build the bike/pedestrian trails and maintain the trails and landscape easements once they are completed.

Steps for acquiring, building and maintaining segments of the greenway linkages:

1. The area shown for a greenway linkage is identified and incorporated in the site planning for a preliminary plat for a subdivision, preliminary plan (for a school, church, temple, or public building), rezoning or special use permit proposal.
2. The land identified on a preliminary site plan is sold or given to the city of Overland Park at the time of final plat or final development plan approval.
3. The city prepares the individual or collective site(s) landscape plan.
4. The city builds all bike/pedestrian trails along the trail easements, and installs plant materials seed or sod turf as required on the site landscape plan.
5. Once the bike/pedestrian trail is built and the landscaping installed, the city maintains the trail and landscape easements.