Date: April 24, 2007
CONTACT: Larry Hoetmer, Park & Recreation Department
: LHoetmer@wichita.gov
: (316) 268-4179

WICHITA – The series of public meetings across the region continue next week for the Arkansas River Corridor Access Plan (ARCAP). The second meeting hosted in Wichita is on Tuesday, April 24 from 7 – 9 PM at Linwood Park Recreation Center at 1901 S. Kansas. There will also be a meeting in Hutchinson on Monday, April 23 and in Oxford on Wednesday, April 25. The first meeting had some discoveries, including:
• Canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and fishing were identified as compatible recreational uses
for this public waterway. 
• Attendees expressed both support and concern about enhancing access to the river. 
• A technical workshop held in late March focused on providing access to the river through public
owned property; types of accesses and their associated site amenities, river water levels and
floatability; and how to provide recreational use through the Wichita section of the river.
• The final Master Plan will guide future location and development of public access sites in a way
that protects the natural amenities and character provided by the Arkansas River while minimizing user/landowner conflicts.
The Arkansas River Coalition, several municipalities, counties, and various user groups, are developing this Master Plan for recreational use of a 100-mile reach of the Arkansas River from Oxford, KS to the Reno/Rice County Line. The Master Plan will provide a blueprint for developing access points at desired intervals in a way that protects the natural amenities and character provided by the Arkansas River while maximizing cost-effectiveness of limited funding resources. Residents are encouraged to be part of planning to discuss possible recreational use on the Arkansas River such as canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and fishing.
Detailed plan information can be viewed at the City of Wichita website at www.wichita.gov or by clicking here: www.visioneeringwichita.com/arkriveraccess. For more information about the plan or the meeting, contact Larry Hoetmer, Park & Recreation Department at 316.268.4179.