McPherson City Digest

City prepares for spring, seeks seasonal employees

As spring planning comes to life across McPherson, the city is actively hiring for seasonal and other open positions to support the community's public spaces and day-to-day services. With trees budding and parks filling up, city teams are focusing on preparing public areas for increased use and moving forward with planned projects. Residents interested in joining the municipal workforce can view current job opportunities on the city’s website.

Deadline approaches for 2026 McPherson Veterans Banners project

Registrations are due April 27 for the 2026 McPherson Veterans Banners project, which places commemorative banners in Memorial Park and along U.S. Highway 56 through McPherson. For $150, each banner is displayed from Memorial Day through Veterans Day for three years, after which the purchaser may keep it. The self-funded program, coordinated by Park Department Supervisor Lauren Przymus and American Legion Post No. 24, also requires renewals this year for banners originally purchased in 2023, with all proceeds benefiting the American Legion.

Crews replace Lakeside Park fencing as spring mowing begins

The McPherson Park Department recently replaced deteriorating fence timbers along Euclid Street bordering the bridge and parking area in Lakeside Park. Alongside the structural updates, unseasonably warm temperatures prompted maintenance crews to begin their first round of park mowing in mid-March.

City cemetery constructs cover for topsoil bunker

McPherson Cemetery Sexton Jeff Rife and staff recently collaborated with Galva-based Shacks and Sheds to build a protective cover for the cemetery shop's topsoil bunker. The new structure allows trucks to back in easily while preserving high-quality soil used to cover burial plots from year-round weather elements, ultimately reducing waste.

Turkey Creek Golf Course completes irrigation and clubhouse updates

A new retaining wall and pump house restorations have finalized a major irrigation project at Turkey Creek Golf Course, stabilizing an area threatened by years of structural erosion. The upgrade includes new piping into the pond and screening to keep the pumps clean, while the course's clubhouse also received interior upgrades with new light fixtures installed throughout the facility.

Park Department builds cold frame shelter to extend growing season

Construction began in March on a new cold frame shelter situated just outside the McPherson Park Department’s greenhouse. The structure will extend the growing season and provide storage for plants before they are transplanted into public spaces, including local parks and the McPherson County Courthouse grounds.

Park Department secures $9,000 grant for recycled park equipment

The McPherson Park Department will purchase new recycled rubber tables and benches after receiving up to $9,000 in matching funds from Keep it Clean Kansas. The grant award will aid the city in sustainably upgrading and maintaining its public facilities.

Homebuyer cash assistance funds exhausted for 2026

The City of McPherson has already expended its $50,000 allocation for the 2026 Homebuyer Cash Assistant Program due to high demand. By mid-February, 10 qualified home buyers had successfully applied for and received $5,000 each to assist with purchasing homes within the city.

Fire department to host $5 pancake feed April 11

The McPherson Fireman’s Benefit will host its annual all-you-can-eat pancake feed from 9 a.m. to noon on April 11. The community event costs $5 per person and will take place at Fire Station 2, located at 1705 N. Main St.

City adopts updated floodplain management regulations

The City of McPherson adopted new floodplain management regulations Feb. 17 to reduce flood risks to people, property and infrastructure while ensuring continued eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program. The updated rules mandate stricter oversight of development in flood-prone areas, requiring mandatory floodplain development permits and adherence to elevation or flood-proofing standards.

Meadowlark Trail completion to be celebrated with April 25 ribbon cutting

The Central Kansas Conservancy will celebrate the completion of the 12.5-mile Meadowlark Trail, connecting McPherson to Lindsborg along the former Union Pacific Railroad bed, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. April 25. The event will take place off Quivira Road north of McPherson at a newly installed replacement bridge that was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original structure in August 2017.

Animal shelter reminds residents of city leash laws

With warmer weather bringing more residents outdoors, the McPherson Animal Shelter is reminding pet owners to adhere to City Ordinance Sec. 10-46, which requires all dogs to be contained or under control. Dogs must be secured on their owner's property by a fence, tether or supervised leash, and must remain leashed in all public parks with the exception of the fully fenced McPherson Dog Park.

Live music returns to downtown Plaza on Wednesday afternoons

The McPherson PLF team has announced the May musical lineup for Wednesday lunchtime performances at the newly shaded downtown Plaza. The scheduled performers include Jaydon Evans on May 6, Deluge on May 13, Kashi on May 20 and Deflecting Ghosts on May 27.

Turkey Creek Golf Course announces April tournament schedule

Turkey Creek Golf Course is kicking off its busy spring season, starting with the senior league at 9 a.m. April 2 and the McPherson High School Invitational on April 10. Public events include the Turkey Creek Masters with a 9 a.m. shotgun start on April 11 and the first Turkey Creek Couples Night on April 24, while the course also prepares to host the Class 1A State Championships later this year.

McPherson joins 14-county South Central Kansas emergency alert system

The City of McPherson is expanding its Everbridge emergency notification system by joining the South Central Kansas regional network, allowing residents across 14 counties to receive critical alerts and community news. Users can customize their preferences to receive emergency notifications via home phones, mobile devices, business phones, emails or text messages.

City resolves 17 citizen requests through online portal in February

City staff responded to 17 citizen requests during February using McPherson's request management system, which allows residents to report issues ranging from broken playground equipment to faulty streetlights. The system, accessible via the city's online portal or the SeeClickFix app, directly routes concerns to capable staff members who can address the issues and provide status updates.

City commissioners and department heads begin 2027 budget preparations

Initial preparations for the City of McPherson's 2027 budget will begin during the Spring Retreat on April 7, immediately following the City Commission meeting and study session. The retreat, held at Kansas Municipal Utilities at 2090 E. Avenue A, will provide an opportunity for department heads and city commissioners to discuss departmental plans and align them with the city's strategic vision.

Challenger Park pollinator garden nears completion

Infrastructure is nearly complete for a new pollinator garden located near the pickleball courts at Challenger Park. City Horticulturalist Mariah Hudson is preparing the grounds for planting alongside a newly poured outer sidewalk and a butterfly-shaped crushed aggregate walking path framed by stone.

Northview Sidewalk project finishes latest phase with grant funding

The latest phase of the Northview Sidewalk Project concluded in late March, adding a 10-foot pathway from Veranda west to the U.S. Highway 81 Bypass that connects to the Meadowlark Trail. Funded by a Kansas Department of Transportation Alternatives Grant, the project also incorporated south-side drainage upgrades and a new 5-foot sidewalk from Grimes Street to Main Street, which received funding assistance from Disability Supports of the Great Plains.

West First Street set to fully reopen following patchwork sealing

The western portion of First Street is scheduled to fully open this week as city crews finalize repairs on the roadway. Workers are currently applying seals to the patchwork paving that was completed last fall and earlier this year.

Source: City of McPherson Newsletter

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