Residents can help shape the park’s improvements
City of Wichita officials are asking residents to finalize the master plan for improvements at O.J. Watson Park, which will begin in 2014. Wichita Park & Recreation has scheduled a community meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 in the community facility at O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd.
All ages are invited to choose from a variety of options to improve existing amenities and infrastructure and potentially add new features at O.J. Watson Park, which sits on 119 acres along the Arkansas River in south Wichita. The park includes a 40-acre lake for fishing and pedal boats and also offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as miniature golf, train rides, pony rides, volleyball, and picnicking.
"The goal is to have 100% direct cost recovery at the park,” said Park & Recreation Director Doug Kupper, meaning “revenues to the park will equal or exceed the cost of operating the park.”
O.J. Watson Park improvements are a focus of a master planning process, designed to develop a vision and action plan for the site. Citizen engagement regarding the investments and improvements is key to the park’s master plan. The park, which has employees and active programs, has high cost-recovery goals similar to municipal recreation centers and swimming pools.
