City Commissioners approve splash pad for Wilson Park

The City Commission has approved two major improvement projects for Wilson Park, advancing the City’s long-term goal of enhancing recreational spaces and family-friendly amenities in the community’s central park.

At its meeting on October 21, 2025, City Commissioners authorized a quote from Power Play, LLC for $306,500, with additional in-kind contributions from Public Works and Environmental Services, for a total project cost not to exceed $326,500, for the installation of a new community splash pad. Funding will be made available for the splash pad through the city’s Capital Improvement Plan.

City departments will provide in-kind work such as site preparation, plumbing connections, and landscaping to help keep costs down and ensure a high-quality finished project. The splash pad will be located near Birch Street between 1st and 2nd Streets — a site chosen for its accessibility and proximity to existing water lines and park infrastructure, allowing the project to tie into current utilities efficiently.

The approximately 3,600-square-foot splash pad will feature multiple interactive water play zones designed for all ages, including a gentle toddler area, a high-energy section with spray cannons and dumping buckets, and shaded seating areas for families. The space will be ADA-accessible and include benches and picnic tables to encourage longer family visits.

In addition to the splash pad, the city is also pursuing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Kansas Department of Commerce to help fund a major playground upgrade at Wilson Park. The estimated project cost is $785,910, with a grant request of $628,728. The playground plan includes new inclusive equipment, improved surfacing, and expanded play areas to accommodate children of all abilities.

As part of the grant process, a public hearing will be held at noon on October 27, 2025, in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 118 W. Central Ave. The hearing will provide residents an opportunity to comment on the proposed playground improvements and offer additional project suggestions before the city’s application is submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce.

City Manager Randy Frazer said these projects have been a long time coming for the community.

“This has been a part of the Wilson Park Master Plan for more than a decade,” Frazer said. “To finally see the pieces falling into place is exciting—not just for the city, but for every family who’s made memories here and for the generations still to come.”