We’ve been hearing a lot about Manhattan Parks and Recreation’s Strategic Facility Improvement Plan, and intergovernmental leaders got a close look at the plan and feasibility study during their meeting Monday. Parks and Recreation Director Eddie Eastes shared with the group his hopes of a true community effort.
The word opportunity was repeated several times during the discussion, and Eastes told KMAN following the meeting he’s feeling good momentum on the project. Eastes hopes to have the community fully engaged, with community input in the next four to six weeks.
There has been talk off using the city’s current sales tax toward improvements, with the community’s blessing. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers outlined that as an opportunity during the meeting, saying if the city lets the current sales tax roll, it will generate a substantial amount of funds that could be used toward projects.
And while our grandparents used to brag about walking to school so many miles and back– most children apparently don’t do that any more. That’s something Manhattan officials hope to change, through Safe Routes to School. City Infrastructure Analyst Jared Tremblay addressed a large intergovernmental group gathering Monday about the status of the process, and told the group that in 1969 48 percent of students walked to school with a five percent obesity rate but only 13 percent today walk to school with a 17 percent obesity rate.
Tremblay adds a number of problem areas were identified when it comes to sidewalks and current routes to schools in Manhattan. Lee Elementary was cited as one of the more troublesome schools for routes with the proximity of Anderson and Sunset. Casement Road also was selected as an area that needs sidewalk work. Tremblay also talked about possible projects and Lincoln Drive and Gros Street, College Heights and Lee, and the area near Wreath and the Manhattan Area Technical College.
Just last week a proposal was submitted and the city hopes to find out whether funding will be available by April. Tremblay will be a guest on KMAN’s “In Focus” next Monday.
The intergovernmental group includes representatives not only from the city, but also USD 383, Riley County, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Kanas State University, and Fort Riley.
