By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
At a recent meeting, the Hays Kiwanis presented the ARC Park project with $5,000 and heard an update from ARC of the Central Plains Board President Sarah Meitner.
She informed the group of changes to plans for the park, located at 33rd and Hillcrest, and the current fundraising status.
“We continue to be overwhelmed by the generous support in the community for our project,” Meitner said. “We are hopeful that we can hit our goal soon until then we are going to keep plugging away and raising money and coming up with a really awesome park.”
Meitner estimated another $80,000 had been pledged as in-kind donations with over 500 donors giving to the project.
“We thank Kiwanis so much for their generous $5,000 donation,” she said. “Today, we officially passed the half-million mark in our cash in hand — and that is in large part due to the support of all of the civic groups in town.”
The total cost of the project is currently estimated at $2 million and includes playground equipment, a splash pad, wrap-around parking and a baseball field – all designed around accessibility.
Showing the latest design to the group, Meitner said it will provide a multi-generational play space while enhanced recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.
It will also create a safe picnic space, something she said a lot of people traveling through Hays ask about.
The baseball field will also be a regional draw, giving Special Olympic athletes a place to practice.
“We know there are 5,400 roughly … Special Olympic athletes in central and western Kansas,” Meitner said. “We’re really hoping that this field won't just serve our athletes here, other than the Buffalos, our local team, but perhaps be a meeting spot for the teams."
As an example, she suggested a team from Colby may play against a team from Great Bend on the field.
Adding the wrap-around parking will also make the park easier to access for those with disabilities.
“We believe that will be key to the accessibility of the park,” Meitner said.
Plans for the core feature of the park, the playground, continue to evolve as well.
Added additional equipment – a we go round, a hammock swing and other accessibility friendly equipment are in the current plans.
“Lots of fun stuff for the kids to do,” Meitner said.
Plans for equipment are still in flux as it doesn’t affect the opening of the park.
As the project evolves the size of the park has increased as well, growing by about 3,000 square feet to a total footprint of 15,000 square feet.
Meitner said they are hoping to begin construction next April, if the weather is cooperative and grants continue to come in, starting with the baseball field.
For more about the park, or to donate, visit the ARC Park webpage by clicking here.
During the meeting the club also inducted several new members as they continue to grow in Hays.