--Joseph Lee

L.W. Clapp, Wichita mayor 1917-1919.

The Wichita Park System has come a long way since it was established in the 1920's by L.W. Clapp. Clapp's vision of Wichita incorporated a vital urban community with adequate public parks and open spaces to provide every Wichita citizen with the opportunity to enjoy nature without traveling far from home.

Today our park system is composed of 117 parks, as well as a number of public open spaces that total over 4,300 acres of land. A system of greenways, or recreation corridors consisting of small parcels of open space land, are planned to ultimately connect many of the City's major parks and provide additional hiking and biking opportunities to citizens. The Wichita Park Department act as stewards for this land, as well as for our riparian and urban forest system, by maintaining the landscape of over 6,773 acres of city-owned property.

People riding the train at Watson Park.

The Wichita Park System offers recreation opportunities to its citizens that range from both organized and individual activities at 10 community Recreation Centers, 11 swimming pools, 52 softball and baseball fields, and also offers recreation through its hiking, biking and fitness trails.

Parks and natural areas designated as "Wichita Wild Habitat Areas" make up nearly 30% of total park acres, and offer citizens an opportunity to experience wildlife and plants in a natural setting. Wichita Wild naturalists provide nature programs in many of these areas to educate the public about plants and animals native to our area. In addition, the Great Plains Nature Center, a joint venture between the United States Department of the Interior; Fish and Wildlife Service; Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; and the City of Wichita, Department of Park and Recreation provides an education facility for the public to learn more about natural resources, especially the wildlife and habitats of the great plains region.

"Prairie Flowers" sculpture at Botanica, the Wichita Gardens.

Botanica, the Wichita Gardens, provides the community with 9 ½ acres of landscaped gardens that appeal to a broad range of horticultural tastes. Visitors can stroll through a formal rose garden, linger to watch butterflies attracted to the flowers in the gated Butterfly Garden, or enjoy the graceful fountain in the Shakespearean Garden.

All facets of recreation, whether passive or active, can be found in our Wichita parks and add beauty and enrichment to the lives of all its citizens. Park Department employees take pride in working to provide Wichita with the best park system possible.