Submitted photo

(KAIR)--Atchison's International Forest of Friendship is set to reopen to visitors Friday, March 20, the first day of spring, following a temporary closure for sidewalk replacement along the walking trail.

According to a release from Forest of Friendship Board member Diane Liebsch, the project was funded by a Kansas Department of Parks and Trails grant and also included resetting 1,600 honoree stones. Liebsch says visitors will see a new limestone table with child-friendly seating, along with a revived Memory Lane featuring a large round bench at the end of the lane.

Visitors are asked to remain on sidewalks while new grass is established. Liebsch says a new welcome sign, landscaping, and a renovated entrance kiosk will be completed in the coming weeks. Additional summer projects include planting new trees, repairing damaged stones, installing new honoree stones, and repairs to the road and parking areas.

Honoring aviation and space past and present, the Forest symbolizes world friendship through flight. The community is invited to celebrate the Forest’s 50th anniversary with a full day of festivities Saturday, September 12.

More information is available at ifof.org.