Manhattan City Digest

Steel and Pipe Supply Ballpark Grand Opening MANHATTAN, Kan. — The City of Manhattan will unveil the new Steel and Pipe Supply Ballpark at CiCo Park with a grand opening celebration on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 9 a.m.. Following an opportunity for the public to explore the complex and speak with staff, ceremonial remarks and the first pitch will take place at 9:15 a.m., with inaugural games scheduled for 10 a.m.. Attendees can enjoy free hot dogs, chips, and drinks while supplies last as the community kicks off a new era of local baseball and softball.

Spring Cleanup Week Returns in April MANHATTAN, Kan. — The city's annual Spring Cleanup Week will take place from April 6 to April 10, offering residents free curbside pickup for yard waste, brush, and tree limbs. City crews will pass through each neighborhood exactly once during the designated week, requiring residents to place eligible debris at the curb prior to their scheduled pickup day. A detailed map of pickup days and a list of accepted materials are available online at manhattanks.gov/springcleanup.

City Staff Complete Confined Space Safety Training MANHATTAN, Kan. — To reinforce workplace safety, all Utility Maintenance and eligible Parks and Public Works employees recently completed Permit-Required Confined Space training. The specialized program, finalized last week, ensures that municipal staff who enter confined environments possess the necessary knowledge and procedures to operate safely.

Supervisors Complete OSHA General Industry Training MANHATTAN, Kan. — A partnership between Manhattan city leadership and the Kansas Department of Labor that began in early 2025 has yielded extensive safety training for municipal workers. Over the past year, eight separate 10-hour classes have been conducted to train 100 city employees, while an additional 33 supervisors and lead employees completed comprehensive 30-hour OSHA General Industry classes to enhance community and workplace safety.

Advisory Board Vacancies Open for Applicants MANHATTAN, Kan. — The City of Manhattan is seeking engaged citizens to fill vacancies on numerous advisory boards and committees that assist the City Commission. Residents interested in serving can view information about each specific board and submit their applications by visiting manhattanks.gov/advisoryboards.

Sunset Zoo Prepares for Earth Day Celebration MANHATTAN, Kan. — Sunset Zoo will host its annual "Party for the Planet" event to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Presented by Kansas Gas Service, the event will feature interactive community booths, animal enrichment, education presentations, entertainment, face painting, and food trucks available for additional purchase. The celebration is free with paid zoo admission, and Friends of Sunset Zoo members will receive free entry.

Sunset Zoo Accepting Junior Zookeeper Applications MANHATTAN, Kan. — Teens aged 14 to 17 by June 2 who are passionate about animals have until March 31 to apply for Sunset Zoo's year-long Junior Zookeeper program. The volunteer initiative provides high school students with a behind-the-scenes look at zoo operations, offering hands-on experience working alongside zookeepers, educators, and grounds teams. Interested youth can find career preparation skills and application details online at sunsetzoo.com.

Sunset Zoo to Host 'Painting the Animals' Event MANHATTAN, Kan. — Animal lovers are invited to connect with local wildlife through a unique "Painting the Animals" experience at Sunset Zoo on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m.. The event costs $20 for non-members and $18 for FOSZ members, which includes zoo admission as well as all necessary art supplies and materials. Pre-registration is required due to limited availability, with more details accessible at SunsetZoo.com.

Flint Hills Discovery Center Hosts 'Make It! Build a Birdhouse' MANHATTAN, Kan. — Youth and adults can collaborate to build a take-home wooden birdhouse during the Flint Hills Discovery Center's "Make It!" workshop on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon. Designed as a partnered learning experience for one child and one adult, the workshop costs $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited, and required pre-registration can be completed online, by phone, or in person.

Camp Discover Offers Spring Activities for Young Students MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Flint Hills Discovery Center will host "Camp Discover" for students in kindergarten through second grade, featuring a "Storytime Celebration" on Friday, April 3, and a "Make & Take" art exploration day on Monday, April 20. Both day-long sessions run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and cost $30 for members or $35 for non-members. Pre-registration is required to secure a limited spot for these hands-on creative experiments.

Flint Hills Discovery Center Announces April Preschool Programs MANHATTAN, Kan. — Registration is open for two interactive preschool programs focusing on colors and shapes at the Flint Hills Discovery Center this April. "Preschool Together," designed for children ages 2.5 to 4 accompanied by an adult, runs Thursdays from April 9 to April 30, while "Preschoolers in the Flint Hills," for independent 3 to 5-year-olds, runs Tuesdays from April 7 to April 28. Both hour-long morning programs cost $50 for members and $60 for non-members, requiring pre-registration due to limited capacity.

Flint Hills Festival Set for Early May MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation will host the free Flint Hills Festival at Blue Earth Plaza on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The community event will feature live music, food trucks, children's activities, and additional entertainment.

Parks and Recreation Hiring Lifeguards MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan Parks and Recreation is actively seeking applicants to fill lifeguard positions for the upcoming summer season. Interested individuals can view job requirements and submit their applications by visiting mhkprd.com/jobs.

Prairie Exhibits Open Through May MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Flint Hills Discovery Center is currently showcasing the "Freedom 250 Grassland Mini-Golf" and "Stepping into the Prairie" exhibits. These interactive educational features will remain open to the public through May 10.

Source: MHK Insider Newsletter

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