(MANHATTAN, Kan. – July 12, 2022) — The City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 18 to gain feedback on the future of parks and recreation programming.
The meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan Fire Department headquarters, 2000 Denison Ave., will be a facilitated public forum. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend and participate.
The public forum will involve a brief, high-level overview from City staff on the Parks and Recreation Department programming and budget, followed by facilitated conversations aiming to seek community feedback and understanding while also acknowledging existing conditions.
“We are certainly experiencing significant challenges with program delivery due to workforce shortages and funding,” said City Manager Ron Fehr. “Our goal is to meet with the public, and seek opportunities and partnerships, in order to begin to find common ground on how to move forward in a sustainable way, while still contributing the high quality of life we desire.”
The forum is expected to last until no later than 8:30 p.m. Full details of this event can be found on the City’s website here. An agenda for the meeting will be posted on the City website by Friday, July 15.
Parks and Recreation Overview
At the July 11 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, City staff provided a comprehensive overview of the Parks and Recreation Department, including details on programs, budget, staffing, and future approaches.
Below are links to the meeting materials presented to the Board and a recording of the meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view these materials and watch the meeting prior to the July 18 public forum: