Salina Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Summary
Week of July 16, 2026
City hires contractors for extensive storm cleanup, tracks costs for FEMA
June windstorm downs 39 large trees at Gypsum Hill Cemetery
Windstorm destroys Kenwood Cove Aquatic Center rock climbing wall
Oakdale Park sculpture damaged in storm undergoes repairs
Jerry Ivey Memorial Park splash pad fully opens after sod installation
Matson Field to receive sunken dugouts and new scoreboard
Parks department sees near-record summer activity registrations
Successful hosting secures return of NAIA and KCAC baseball tournaments
City hires contractors for extensive storm cleanup, tracks costs for FEMA
SALINA, Kan. — Following severe straight-line winds on June 8, the Salina Parks and Recreation Department hired external contractors to clear massive tree debris from city parks, staff reported at the July 15 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting. Crews focused on complex hazard removals at Thomas, Sunset, Oakdale and Country Club parks, as well as Gypsum Hill Cemetery. Officials are currently compiling data on staff time and cleanup expenses to submit for potential Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement. [LIBEL REVIEW FLAG: Removed the staff characterization that the storm's winds were "equivalent to an EF2 tornado." This specific rating could not be verified by National Weather Service data and could pose a credibility and libel risk if the city is inadvertently inflating damage severity to support a FEMA reimbursement claim.]
June windstorm downs 39 large trees at Gypsum Hill Cemetery
SALINA, Kan. — The June 8 windstorm felled 39 large trees across the 47-acre Gypsum Hill Cemetery, requiring specialized contractor removal to safely navigate heavy machinery between headstones. Parks staff are currently soliciting quotes for stump removal to complete the cemetery's recovery process, while city forestry crews expect to spend the foreseeable future clearing hanging branches from trees throughout Salina.
Windstorm destroys Kenwood Cove Aquatic Center rock climbing wall
SALINA, Kan. — Severe weather in early June destroyed the rock climbing wall situated in the lap pool at Kenwood Cove Aquatic Center. Parks and recreation staff completely removed the damaged structure immediately after the storm, ensuring the water park was safe to reopen the following day without any further delays for summer patrons.
Oakdale Park sculpture damaged in storm undergoes repairs
SALINA, Kan. — A newly installed piece of public art at Oakdale Park is currently undergoing repairs after being heavily damaged during the June 8 windstorm. Parks staff had installed several pieces for SculptureTour Salina in May, and the original artist is currently working to restore the damaged sculpture before returning it to its display location near the water treatment plant on Fourth Street. [FLAG FOR REVIEW: The specific sculpture name and artist could not be independently verified through public records. Follow up with Parks and Recreation or SculptureTour Salina for these details before publication.]
Jerry Ivey Memorial Park splash pad fully opens after sod installation
SALINA, Kan. — The new splash pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park is fully operational after protective fencing was recently removed to allow newly laid Bermuda grass sod to establish. The splash pad experienced a brief closure earlier this summer due to children tracking mud into the mechanical systems, but the project is now considered complete. Facilities maintenance is currently developing a winterization plan to protect the structure during the off-season.
Matson Field to receive sunken dugouts and new scoreboard
SALINA, Kan. — Following the demolition of its old concrete block dugouts, Matson Field will receive new sunken dugouts equipped with fabricated structural steel and an integrated sump pump drainage system. The city is also awaiting the delivery of a new scoreboard to replace the field's previous 40-year-old equipment, which had originally been relocated from Dean Evans Stadium before replacement parts became obsolete.
Parks department sees near-record summer activity registrations
SALINA, Kan. — Salina Parks and Recreation is experiencing one of its busiest summer seasons in 20 years, with the Salina Fieldhouse summer camp filling its 90-child roster in just three and a half hours. Athletics also saw massive participation, with staff reporting 87 baseball and softball league teams and 22 summer soccer teams, putting the city on track to match or exceed its best-ever year for tournament and special event revenue. [FLAG FOR REVIEW: Verified the 90-child camp limit, but could not independently verify the exact count of 87 baseball/softball and 22 soccer teams; attributed directly to staff.]
Successful hosting secures return of NAIA and KCAC baseball tournaments
SALINA, Kan. — After successfully hosting the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics baseball opening round and Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference tournaments in May, Salina will welcome the events back next year. Board members noted that visiting teams praised the city's updated facilities, specifically highlighting the competitive advantage of having dual side-by-side stadiums in the Berkley Family Recreational Area [1].
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