The City of Hays Parks Department is pleased to announce that the installation of new playground equipment at Massey Park is complete and open to the public.
Located at 17th and Allen, the upgraded playscape replaces structures originally installed in 2002 that had reached the end of their operational lifespan.
The new equipment features two large slides, an enclosed rope climb tunnel, and several agility components designed to encourage active play.
A separate play piece has been included specifically for younger children to ensure the park serves families with kids of all ages.
The project is part of the Parks Department’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safety and quality across Hays’ public spaces.
The previous equipment at Massey Park had served the community for over two decades but had begun to deteriorate, with replacement parts no longer available.
Identifying and addressing these safety needs is a key component of the department's year-round maintenance operations.
Jeff Boyle, director of the Parks Department, emphasized that keeping the city’s primary recreational spaces current is a priority for the department.
"We take the management of our parks to heart," Boyle said. "Massey is one of our four master plan parks, serving a specific quadrant of our town. We believe these main parks should have nice, safe playground equipment in them for the community to use."
“Watching the younger kids tackle the new play pieces and really enjoy themselves is a great reward for the whole department," he said.
The update to Massey Park aligns with the city's broader strategy to support its four major quadrant parks, which also include Seven Hills, Aubel-Bickle, and Sunrise.
"For us, it’s about ensuring these master plan parks remain a destination for the neighborhood,” Boyle said. “There is nothing better than seeing the kids excited about their local park again. We think the community deserves nice facilities like this."
The project was awarded to Aspire 2 Play of Kansas City, staying within the city’s budgeted funds for park improvements.
"We’ve already seen the new equipment getting a lot of use,” Boyle said. “With school out on Monday and the nice weather we had, the park was full of families. It’s exactly what we want to see in one of our main quadrant parks."
For more information on Hays parks and upcoming projects, please visit HaysUSA.com.
