McAdams Park

1329 E 13th St N, 67214 | 57.46 acres

Parcels of for this park were acquired in 1901, 1941, 1946 and 1980. This is a wooded park located near the downtown area, formerly referred to as McKinley Park, and renamed in 1966 to honor Emerson McAdams, a former city policeman who served 27 years as director of McKinley Park.

Facilities at the park were enhanced in 1968 in conjunction with construction of the canal route. Land and Water Conservation Funds, provided by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks and the National Park Service, have been used to develop this park.

The City's first artifical turf baseball diamond was constructed in 2016, and a new restroom/concession stand constructed in 2017.

Picnic Amenities

Assembly Area | Charcoal Grills | Drinking Fountains | Open Shelter | Picnic Tables | Restroom Facilities

Rent an Outdoor Open Shelter

Recreation

Baseball/Softball Diamonds | Basketball/Multi-use Courts | Canal Hike and Bike Trails | Children's Playground | Concession Stand | Football Field | Recreation Center | Swimming Pool | Tennis Courts | Tetherball Courts | Volleyball Courts

Rent a Baseball/Softball DiamondRent a Football FieldRent a Recreation CenterRent a Swimming Pool

League 42

League 42, named in honor of the great Jackie Robinson, is a youth baseball league, comprised primarily of inner-city players, ages 5-14, many of whom have not had the opportunity to play baseball before.

McAdams Park is home to the League and where they practice and play games. Registration for the league is $30 per family, not per player - making the world of baseball affordable for all who wish to play. That fee provides each player with full uniform (jersey, pants, belt and hat), a baseball glove and additional playing equipment such as catcher's gear, bats and balls.

Additionally, registered League 42 players are invited to clinics led by some of Wichita's greatest baseball experts throughout the off-season and off-field activities such as movie days, bowling days, a trip to Kansas City Royals Game and the Negro League Museum for our Dodger and Champions Division Players (ages 11-12 and 13-14).

In April 2021, League 42 installed a life-sized Jackie Robinson statue, sculpted by John Parsons, at McAdams Park to honor the player. In 1947, Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, signaling an end to segregation in the League. In 1962, he was admitted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 Information@League42Wichita.org Visit League 42 website  

​Carl G. Brewer Renovation

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Park name change?
No. The name of the Park will remain McAdams Park. The renovated Carl G. Brewer Community Center will highlight Emerson McAdams and his contributions to the park. While the park is named McAdams, several facilities in the park are named after community standouts, including the Antoine Carr basketball courts, the Barry Sanders football field, and the McAfee swimming pool.

Why is the center being renamed?
The renaming comes as the city is planning a redesign of the recreation center — funded partially by a no-interest loan from a local bank — because the facility no longer fits the needs of the community and has aged out of its functionality.

When did the recreation center name change?
The board of park commissioners approved renaming the recreation center to honor Brewer during a meeting on Aug. 9. The City Council voted to change the name of the recreation center in September of 2021 to honor the legacy of former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer. A formal rededication took place in November of 2021.

When was the recreation center built and why is it being redeveloped?
The recreation center at McAdams Park was constructed in 1958. The building is functionally challenged and not adequate for programming needs of the Department of Park & Recreation or the needs of the community. The building lacks the infrastructure for technology, which impacts the programming available in the facility.

About Carl Brewer
Carl Brewer (March 8, 1957 – June 12, 2020) was an American politician who served as the 100th mayor of Wichita, Kansas, and was the city's first elected black mayor. He was elected to the mayoralty in 2007 and reelected in 2011.

What will future improvements to the center include?
Improvements are expected to focus on providing technology and education services, additional options for health and fitness, other community programming, and a variety of education classes offered through the Department of Park & Recreation.

​​ View Presentation