Editor’s note: This story is part of a series examining the 10-year Parks and Recreation master plan approved by the City Commission. The plan is based on survey results from residents about what they want to see in Eudora and includes renovations to existing parks, new parks and other initiatives to better recreation in town. 

A community survey to give input on Parks and Rec found these five areas are most important to residents: recreation and athletics, neighborhood/community open spaces for social interactions and play, community safety, youth development and community character.

The survey was filled out by 168 residents spanning a 55-year age range. The city also hosted two open house events to hear resident opinions. An advisory committee also met seven times to help share opinions.

About 90% of respondents said quality parks, paved trails, recreation facilities and programs are somewhat or very important to them. The same percentage also said parks, trails and recreation facilities and programs are somewhat or very important to the identity of Eudora.

About 65% said parks, trails, recreation facilities and programs in Eudora reflect the identity of the city somewhat or minimally.

According to the survey, the most visited park in the last year was CPA Park, followed by Bluejacket and Lucy Kaegi. Around 80% of respondents visited CPA in the last year.

Residents also selected up to four items that are most important to their households. The top answers were restrooms at existing parks, sidewalks, paved multipurpose trails, outdoor swimming pools and a dog park. Over 30% of residents answered they are interested in restrooms at the parks.

Almost 50% of people selected that development of an indoor pool/aquatics center was important to their household. Over 30% said they would like to see the parks and recreation facilities renovated and improved to meet resident needs. Around the same percentage said they would like to develop new greenways, trails, high quality bicycle facilities and shaded sidewalks.

Results from the survey show that people care about the parks, and anyone willing to share their thoughts is appreciated, Parks and Rec Director Sally Pennington said. Pennington and Assistant Director Jimmy Kegin are always open to having meetings with residents to hear their opinions and share parks projects planned for coming years.

“That’s what I hope this survey does, too, shows what we do, what we can do and what everybody wants to do, but how do we get there together?” Pennington said.

The steering committee was made up of various residents, city staff and other local stakeholders.

City Commissioner Alex Curnes was part of the committee and said the process helped weigh opinions of all the different groups that use all the amenities, like seniors, families and kids.
An indoor pool was a major interest in the last 10-year plan, so it was interesting to see people’s continued interest in seeing that come to town, Curnes said.

It helped him see that it needs to be something the city is working toward, but currently there is no land to make that possible, he said.

Curnes said it was also interesting to see some residents share that they felt the parks were great in their current forms and didn’t need much as far as renovations are concerned.

Although some have different thoughts on what should be prioritized, ultimately the plan focuses on growing services while also benefiting the community while they are not in use, he said.

For example, the ballfields at the West Sports Complex are also connected to the soccer field and the elementary school, he said. He said the city has to look at ways to move forward while affecting a lot of different groups at the same time.

There is only one community room right now and it is constantly rented out for different purposes. Sometimes it can be crowded for birthday parties or Senior Foundation activities, he said.

“How do we look, again, towards the future and develop spaces that are community spaces but are also things that can be used at other times when they’re not being used for sports or recreation, things like that?” he said.

These projects also couple with economic development initiatives. With nicer ballfields or sports complexes, people will likely want to spend time downtown or shop local businesses, he said. Increasing the sales tax revenue will also help fund other city needs, he said.

Jonathan Hauck with JEO Consulting said the development of the goals included in the master plan were developed after information was presented to the stakeholder group and city staff. With the feedback from the community, the group was able to narrow down and solidify the overarching themes and come out with comprehensive goals.

Overall, Hauck said the survey showed people were interested in increased accessibility within the parks. Trails and sidewalk connections to the parks themselves, navigating through the parks and having an inclusive park option for those with disabilities were some of the accessibility concerns referenced in the feedback, he said.

A significant number of people who provided feedback were not aware of all the parks within the area, he said.

The plan served in helping to inform the community on things they already had but weren’t aware of, he said.

The plan was a way to calculate the funding the department needs to continue to maintain what they have now, and then see how much could begin being added on top for additional amenities, he said. Also making sure there is money to fund new staff members that may be necessary for additional amenities was a major discussion, he said.

Carlene Hurtig, a Senior Foundation of Eudora board member, served on the advisory committee.

Hurtig moved to Eudora almost two years ago, and said the process opened her eyes to how many parks Eudora has. She said she would like to see something quickly developed behind the middle school. Water Tower Park, as it is named in the plan, does have eventual plans for renovation with a new playground, gazebo, seating and a possible fitness area or sports courts. Hurtig said with the new housing in that area, it seems like a good project for kids who are coming and going from school and moving to that neighborhood.

She said she also agrees the Main Street parks should be a priority, like the Wakarusa Boat Ramp. With events and businesses downtown, it makes sense to spruce up CPA Park, she said.

Any development that keeps the children involved is a priority, Hurtig said. It’s impressive what Eudora already has and the way parks are kept up with, she said.

Overall, Hurtig said it’s a priority to make sure everything is handicap accessible, not only for older adults, but with children, too, she said.

It’s important for people to know it’s just a plan with ideas, Curnes said. It’s not necessarily going to all start happening immediately, he said. It’s a way for the commission to focus on projects, but some of them may be far out if land has not been acquired.