MANHATTAN — Volunteers are being actively sought for a wide range of activities happening this spring and summer with the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department.
Those efforts are ramping up in anticipation of National Volunteer week happening April 7-13. Flint Hills Discovery Center Volunteer Coordinator Jurina Watts says for special events, they’ll typically use 60 to 70 volunteers, but with only 25 to 30 volunteering on a recurring basis, the need for more volunteers always exists, especially for one major event coming up next month.
Other FHDC events coming up are ribbon cuttings for the prairie garden terrace and trail at 2 p.m. Friday. A junior camp leader program is also coming with a mandatory orientation happening at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Each year more than 700 volunteers lend their time to help a wide range of activities and events in the city. On KMAN’s In Focus Monday, Recreation Superintendent Ryan McKee highlighted some of the upcoming events including the second annual Youth Outdoor Adventure Challenge coming up April 14.
McKee says they also staff volunteers for the department’s annual Easter Family Fun Day happening later this month.
The Little Apple Pedal is happening May 5 and volunteer opportunities are available for that as well. Applications and more information can be found at mhkprd.com.
In addition to volunteer opportunities, three information gathering sessions are planned over the next few weeks to get feedback on the city’s miles of trails.
Community Relations Officer Melissa Kirkwood says last summer the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department started Trail Talks to try to gather community feedback on what they want in their trail systems.
Kirkwood says the plan is to prioritize plans for the future as the department works to improve accessibility to Manhattan’s trails.
In addition to the April 18 meeting, two additional meetings are planned April 25 at Anthony Middle School and May 2 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. All three meetings begin at 5:30 p.m.
Copies of the department’s summer activity guide can also be picked up at their office or by visiting the Parks & Rec website.
