Ark City local news summary
Week of October 26 2025
Commission approves $326,500 splash pad for Wilson Park
City to seek $628,000 grant for new playground equipment
City moves forward with plans for new fire station
Minutes amended to note confrontation after meeting
Commission to study overhaul of county road system
Community Based Services exceeds state success rate goal
Commission approves $326,500 splash pad for Wilson Park
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – The city commission unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to fund and install a new community splash pad in Wilson Park, with a total project cost not to exceed $326,500. The commission authorized a $306,500 quote from Power Play, LLC, with the remaining costs covered by in-kind contributions from the city’s Public Works and Environmental Services departments for installation and infrastructure work. The approximately 3,600-square-foot facility will be located near Birch Street between First and Second streets and is targeted to open by summer 2026. Funding will come from the Capital Improvement Plan.
City to seek $628,000 grant for new playground equipment
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – Separately, the commission approved applying for a Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant to fund new, inclusive playground equipment at Wilson Park. The total project is estimated at $785,910, with a grant request of $628,728 and a local match to be covered by budgeted funds and conditional donor support from a local foundation, contingent on the CDBG award. Officials said separating the playground from the splash pad creates a stronger, more focused grant application. A required public hearing is set for noon on Oct. 27 at City Hall.
City moves forward with plans for new fire station
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – The city reported a recent pre-bid meeting for its planned fire station project, with bids expected in November and a recommendation to follow. Building a new facility is anticipated to be more cost-effective and less disruptive than rehabbing the aging station; the city is also exploring federal loans and grants through U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
Minutes amended to note confrontation after meeting
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. – Commissioners approved amendments to the Oct. 7 meeting minutes to note that a citizen confronted an elected official after adjournment. The amended minutes will also reflect that similar conduct in the future will be treated as a threat and may prompt police action.
Commission to study overhaul of county road system
WINFIELD, Kan. — The Cowley County Commission took the first step Tuesday toward a potential overhaul of how roads are managed, directing staff to seek proposals for a study on a County Unit System. County Administrator Lucas Goff said hiring an independent firm to assess logistics and costs would give commissioners the data needed to decide whether the county should assume responsibility for all public roads. Commissioners said they want more information before considering a formal resolution.
Community Based Services exceeds state success rate goal
WINFIELD, Kan. — The county’s Community Based Services program achieved a 79 percent success rate in fiscal year 2025, surpassing the Kansas Department of Corrections’ 75 percent recommended benchmark, Director Brennan Hadley reported while presenting the fiscal year 2026 case plan. Community Based Services is the county’s KDOC-funded community corrections program that provides supervision, case management and evidence-based classes to justice-involved residents as an alternative to incarceration or placement. KDOC’s success rate reflects the share of clients who complete supervision without a revocation for a new offense or major violation during the period measured. The FY 2026 case plan functions as the program’s annual grant application and blueprint, setting staffing, programming and performance targets for the year. The commission approved the plan 2–0 with one commissioner absent.
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