Plans moving slowly, but surely, for Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park plans are moving along, albeit slowly.

The park, located at the confluence of the Marmaton River and Mill Creek, will eventually be a northern gateway to Fort Scott, when all goes according to plan. The master plan includes walking/biking trails and picnic areas "respecting and enhancing the natural and historic treasures of the area," according to the master plan project brochure.

The Fort Scott Riverfront Authority is charged with the oversight of the multi-year project.

They are seeking approval for the park from many layers of government and it's been slower than anticipated.

"It's not moving as fast as we hoped it would. It's frustrating," Dean Mann, chairman of the group, said.

"We are working with 10 to 12 entities; it's a slow process," Jerry Witt, group member, said in a later interview.

Phase One of the project is the main loop trail and the River Loop Road. The walking trail is a riverfront trail, plus loop trails and connections to area attractions for both pedestrians and bicyclists. The road is both for vehicles and walking. These are funded and they are waiting on several permits.

Mann said that "the hope is to do the River Loop Road by the end of the year. The funds are awarded; we are waiting for permits."

Mature walnut, oak and catalpa trees are located throughout the park and a couple of pavilions are in the plans for the area.

"We've got applications for a pavilion at the confluence of the river and a pavilion in the middle of the first loop," Mann said.

The number of entities involved in the project are some of the reasons for the length of time the project is taking: Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas State Historical Preservation Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with the property negotiations for areas in the proposed park. These dealings are all taking time.

One of those properties is owned by Westar Energy. "The long range plan is to get the Westar property," but "negotiations are not active at this time," Mann said.

On the agenda for the March meeting is an update on the request for the flood mitigation funds to purchase some properties in the proposed park area. Those HUD funds would allow the group to "purchase some properties in the marked area," Mann said.

"Three properties we've identified, who'd like to be paid. Some people donated some property. Some didn't feel in a position to donate but would be willing to sell."

There is one good bit of news.

"The skink habitat is south, not in the park area per se," Mann said. The lizard is on the endangered species list, he told the group.

Also on the agenda for the next meeting is to ensure "there is no deadline on the spending of money we've been given," considering the amount of time the project is taking, Mann said.

The next meeting of the Fort Scott Riverfront Authority is 5:15 p.m. March 18 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at FSCC.

The fifth annual Riverfront Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, at the park.