Manhattan Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Week of July 22, 2026
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to weigh in on proposed city sales tax increase
Board member questions 'straight line' design of Marlatt trail
Algae bloom halts vegetation treatment at Dishman Lake
Parks and Recreation expands day camp to cover school-year gaps
City to launch high school girls flag football league this fall
Surging pickleball popularity forces league to split over two nights
Ballpark concessions see significant revenue jump
'Great Gatsby' themed senior prom planned for fall
Outdoor video board proves successful draw for city events
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to weigh in on proposed city sales tax increase
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board plans to formally discuss and offer recommendations regarding a proposed citywide sales tax increase at its August meeting. During a quarterly update, board member Joe Knopp raised concerns about the Manhattan City Commission's ongoing discussions to potentially implement a 10-year, comprehensive sales tax that would replace the expiring 0.25 percent Quality of Life and 0.20 percent street maintenance taxes. He cautioned that rolling parks funding into a broader, long-term tax base could bypass the public's traditional capacity to vote directly on quality of life initiatives, potentially hindering future park improvements.
Board member questions 'straight line' design of Marlatt trail
MANHATTAN, Kan. — A planned pedestrian and bicycle trail along Marlatt Avenue faced questions during the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting for its design. Board member Joe Knopp urged staff to add rest areas, benches and shade trees to the trail, arguing the current straight-line design could be enhanced with more amenities. Staff noted the project, jointly funded with Riley County, is constrained by steep rights of way and stormwater requirements, though they successfully lowered the city's cost estimate from $1.3 million to $780,000. Staff agreed to explore adding amenities near the Browning Avenue connection outside of the main public works project.
Algae bloom halts vegetation treatment at Dishman Lake
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Efforts to treat vegetation at Dishman Lake have been temporarily paused due to a sudden and severe algae bloom. While diffusers were successfully installed in the lake between April and May to improve water quality, Parks and Recreation staff reported that treating the new algae overgrowth right now would likely cause a significant fish kill. The city is working with Kansas City-area contractor Stream, Lake and Wetland Solutions and the Tuttle Creek Lake Association to safely manage the lake's restoration and conduct manual removal when weather permits.
Parks and Recreation expands day camp to cover school-year gaps
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan parents will have a new child care option on days when Unified School District 383 schools are closed, as the Little Apple Day Camp expands its operations into the academic year. The program will operate out of the Douglass Community Recreation Center on nonfederal holidays and parent-teacher conference days to help fill gaps not entirely met by existing youth programs. Department staff are currently working through Kansas Department of Health and Environment licensure requirements to eventually expand the school-age program into additional facilities like the Eisenhower Recreation Center.
City to launch high school girls flag football league this fall
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Capitalizing on a rapidly growing national trend, Manhattan Parks and Recreation is introducing a high school girls and women's flag football league this fall. The new Sunday league comes after the Kansas State High School Activities Association officially sanctioned girls flag football as a sport in April 2026. Recreation coordinator Ramsey McCarter stated the city hopes to garner enough local and regional interest to eventually see the program morph into an official sport at Manhattan-area high schools.
Surging pickleball popularity forces league to split over two nights
MANHATTAN, Kan. — In response to continued rapid growth in the sport's popularity, Manhattan Parks and Recreation is splitting its adult pickleball league across two nights this fall. The league will now host games on both Monday and Wednesday evenings to accommodate a growing waitlist of teams and to free up more open court space for the general public. Participants will be divided between the two nights based on their specific skill divisions.
Ballpark concessions see significant revenue jump
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Improved inventory control and customer service upgrades have led to a significant increase in city concession stand revenues. During a quarterly report to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, staff announced that concessions earned $215,000 through the second quarter, marking a $95,000 increase over the same period the previous year. Department leadership credited the implementation of tap-to-pay technology and successful product testing — such as selling out of Uncrustables sandwiches during a recent youth baseball tournament — for the financial boost.
'Great Gatsby' themed senior prom planned for fall
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Local seniors will have the chance to attend a themed senior prom event this fall, courtesy of Manhattan Parks and Recreation's special populations programming. Billed as a "senior prom," the "Great Gatsby"-themed event is being organized in partnership with the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and local senior living facilities. The gala joins a busy fall schedule of lifelong recreation programs, which also includes a dinner theater trip to see "Legally Blonde" and excursions to the Kansas State Fair.
Outdoor video board proves successful draw for city events
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The large video board utilized for outdoor community events has been deemed a major success for Manhattan Parks and Recreation, drawing substantial crowds for movies and sporting events. The department reported that recent watch parties and "movies in the park" have averaged between 300 and 350 attendees per event. However, staff noted that weather remains a limiting factor, as a recent 2 p.m. watch party held in 100-degree heat at Blue Earth Plaza only drew about 30 people.
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