(MANHATTAN, Kan. – October 11, 2023) — The City of Manhattan is delighted to announce the dedication of a brand-new public park, Stonehaven Park, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 14.
This momentous occasion, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the park, which will be located at 3751 Amherst Ave.
Stonehaven Park, sitting on land generously donated by Bayer Construction, promises to be a haven of tranquility and recreational enjoyment for residents of all ages. The centerpiece of the park is a picturesque fishing pond, which offers a serene escape for anglers and nature enthusiasts alike.
The dedication ceremony will be a celebration of community and the enduring legacy of the Bayer Family. The ceremony will be presided over by Mayor Mark Hatesohl, who will speak at the event.
Additional speakers will be Director of Parks and Recreation Aaron Stewart and Kelly Briggs, president of Bayer Construction.
A highlight of the ceremony will be the unveiling and activation of a beautiful memorial fountain within the park’s fishing pond. This fountain not only will add to the park’s aesthetics, but also will serve as a touching tribute to the Bayer Family’s legacy.
Also set to be unveiled is a stone park sign installed by Bayer Construction, followed by a photo with the family. After the formal ceremony, the event will conclude with free hot dogs and drinks for attendees.
The public also will be invited to walk the trail around the pond, which will officially open to fishing at the conclusion of the event, and view StoryWalk signs with QR codes that bring up videos detailing the Bayer Family’s legacy and the history of the property they purchased back in the 1910s.
“This promises to be a delightful opportunity for neighbors and friends to come together, enjoy some food, and create lasting memories at our newest park,” said Casey Smithson, parks superintendent for the City who helped to oversee development of the new amenity.
“We invite all residents of Manhattan to join us Saturday, October 14 for this memorable occasion at Stonehaven Park. Your presence will be a testament to the spirit of unity and gratitude that defines our city.”
About Stonehaven Park
With Phase One of Stonehaven Park’s development complete, it will offer a 2.5-acre, natural spring-fed fishing pond with a fountain and two floating fishing docks, with one being ADA compliant, as well as neighborhood access points, seating stones and picnic tables, a walking trail, story stone interpretive sites, and a functional and educational stormwater quality detention basin.
In the future, additional amenities are planned within the park’s master plan that may include a small parking lot, shelter house(s), restrooms, a playground, and additional pedestrian trail opportunities.
The full loop trail around the pond is approximately four-tenths of a mile long.
The Bayer Family Pond, like Dishman Lake, is a participant in the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP), offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. (Visit this page for more information and fishing rules.)
A stormwater quality dry detention basin, located upstream of the pond, will serve as an educational site on stormwater management Best Management Practices and offer viewing opportunities for many plant, bird, and insect species that will frequent the periodically wet location. Best Management Practices, or BMPs, are devices and actions that improve or prevent the pollution of urban runoff and stormwater.