$2 million donation secures naming rights for memorial hillside project

Board recommends proposed plaza name following $1.5 million pledge

Foundation pledges $1.6 million for Founders Park trail connection

Downtown shade structure to be named 'City Lights Pavilion'

Eagle Scout project to install city's first park communication board

Jerry Ivey Memorial Park splash pad on track for spring target date

Baseball facility upgrades to include elevated viewing platforms

Salina Fieldhouse hosts record tournaments despite staff shortages

$2 million donation secures naming rights for memorial hillside project

SALINA, Kan. - A planned natural hillside and trail system at Lakewood Park will be named after Roy and Donice Applequist, following the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's approval of a $2 million donation from the couple. The project, part of the Smoky Hill River Renewal, will utilize silt dredged from the riverway to create the new elevation. The hillside will feature natural trails, a scenic overlook and native plantings to replace the current trails that will be submerged when the lake's water level is restored.

Board recommends proposed plaza name following $1.5 million pledge

SALINA, Kan. - The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously recommended naming a new downtown gathering space Kubota Plaza following a proposed $1.5 million donation tied to a Kubota-related Salina manufacturing operation. The future plaza, located east of the railroad tracks, is a key component of the Smoky Hill River Renewal project. The donation, which awaits final approval from the company's corporate leadership in Japan, would help fund a pedestrian-friendly event space featuring Art Deco aesthetics.

Foundation pledges $1.6 million for Founders Park trail connection

SALINA, Kan. - The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended naming a future trail connecting downtown to the Smoky Hill River in recognition of a $1.6 million gift from the Earl Bane Foundation. The gift would fund construction of the trail without city or federal grant money. The path, located at Founders Park, would run behind the Salina Community Theatre, creating a pedestrian link between downtown and the riverway.

Downtown shade structure to be named 'City Lights Pavilion'

SALINA, Kan. - A new shade structure planned for the parking lot at Santa Fe Avenue and Ash Street will be named the City Lights Pavilion. The structure is intended to provide shade for outdoor concerts, Salina Downtown Inc. events and the farmers market, while also supporting public use of the space. Salina Downtown Executive Director Leslie Bishop said the pavilion is expected to include permanent lighting and other features designed to enhance the downtown gathering area.

Eagle Scout project to install city's first park communication board

SALINA, Kan. - The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved a project by a local Eagle Scout candidate to install a nonverbal communication board at the Bill Burke Park playground. The sign will feature symbols and pictures to help nonverbal children or those with communication difficulties express their needs, such as wanting to use the swings or the restroom. The board would be the first of its kind in the city's parks, setting a precedent for future inclusive playground designs.

Jerry Ivey Memorial Park splash pad on track for spring target date

SALINA, Kan. - Construction planning for a new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park is advancing, with the city reporting that completion is expected by mid-April 2026 depending on weather, aligning with the typical May 1 seasonal opening target. The project is intended to replace the prior facility with updated equipment and modern water-treatment controls.

Baseball facility upgrades to include elevated viewing platforms

SALINA, Kan. - Ongoing renovations at the Berkley Family Recreation Area will introduce an elevated seating platform designed to allow spectators to watch two games simultaneously. City staff said older dugouts have been demolished and some original components will be reused on newly engineered structures. In partnership with Salina Baseball Enterprises, the city is also installing a new public address system ahead of major summer tournaments.

Salina Fieldhouse hosts record tournaments despite staff shortages

SALINA, Kan. - The Salina Fieldhouse reported a highly successful spring season, hosting several major events including large multi-team tournaments and championship competitions. Recreation staff said these high-volume events were managed successfully even with the department operating with two vacant full-time positions.

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