Kansas City’s trails system is an embarrassment to its residents.

The city has a small number of pathways for bicycles and walkers. They amount to just 30 miles in a geographically large city of 450,000. By comparison, Johnson County has 200 miles for a population of 525,000.

Most of Kansas City’s trails aren’t connected to each other.

And despite high public interest in trails, City Hall over the last decade has not built or even planned a more extensive system.

Now a task force of citizens and city officials has taken important steps toward improving the situation.

The draft of a new report — titled “Trails KC! Plan, a comprehensive trails system for Kansas City, Missouri” — clearly acknowledges the city’s shortcomings.

“Without an adopted trails plan, the city has little guidance and cohesiveness in identifying trail corridors, which has created major impediments to the development of a successful trail system,” the report says.

No wonder a 2008 city survey showed two-thirds of Kansas Citians aren’t satisfied with their walking and biking options.

But the new trail plan does more than just criticize the current state of affairs. It proposes eventually adding 200 miles of trails. The positive suggestions include:

 Create solid design and construction standards for signs and building materials for a larger system.

 Implement a five-year plan of high-priority projects that would emphasize connecting the trails.

 Put someone at City Hall in charge of expanding the system.

 Pursue a long list of possible local, state and federal funding sources.

A key recommendation calls for building or lengthening trails along the city’s naturally beautiful corridors, including Line Creek, Shoal Creek and the Blue River. The report also emphasizes the need to connect to Missouri’s popular Katy Trail.

Kansas Citians eager for better trails include people of all ages who walk, run, bike or use in-line skates.

A larger system of pathways would help improve people’s health, preserve greenways and enhance the city’s image.

A final Trails KC! Plan is likely to include many positive changes that should be embraced by the City Council. Kansas Citians deserve a far better system of trails than they have now.