Third Street Park is just east of Hwy. 69 past the railroad overpass on the south side of the street. This is a view from Wilson Street looking up the hill.
This Saturday residents of the east side of Fort Scott are invited to give input on what they would like to improve at the park on east Third Street.
The park is a city block that is sided by Third Street on the north, Hill Street on the east, Fourth Street on the south and Wilson Street on the west. It is a tree shaded area, one half of which is on a hill, one half is a ball diamond.
“This is the second public forum for the East Side Creative Placemaking project called Stronger Together: Building Up Our Communities,” Rachel Carpenter, Program Director for Healthy Bourbon County Action Team said. “At our last public forum we were able to pick out common themes that will build up our community. Some of the themes were access to food, more events on the east side and park improvements.”
The event is to focus on park improvements.
“We received the Patterson Family Foundation Grant of $560,000 and there is $70,000 for this project,” Carpenter said. ” We want east side residents to be engaged in the decision making.”
The timeline for construction to be done at Third Street Park is October 2023, she said..
The basketball court is in the foreground and some of the play equipment and pavilion is seen in the background.
“At this public forum we will engage the east side residents and ask what improvements they would like to see at Third Street Park,” she said. “Some examples would be upgrading playground equipment or fixing up the basketball court.”
The southwest corner of the park can be seen at Wilson and 4th Street.
“It is really up to them what on what we should prioritize,” Carpenter said.
The southeast corner of the park is seen at Hill and Fourth Street.
The event will be tomorrow Saturday May 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Third Street Park.
“We will be serving breakfast burritos and giving away a cooler and $40 gas vouchers to 5 Corners Convenience Store!,” she said.
From in the middle of the park, looking down on the ball diamond at Third Street Park.
In 2021, Fort Scott newcomer Diane Striler brought up the topic of starting a ladies golf league with Lindsay Madison, the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
A few weeks ago the idea moved forward with local interest shown.
It was then that Fort Scott Parks Director Doug Guns approached Madison about starting a league, saying that recently several woman had inquired about a women’s league.
Woodland Hills Golf Course is owned by the City of Fort Scott.
“Lindsay introduced me to Doug and I started planning, ” Striler said.
She will be coordinating a new ladies golf league in Fort Scott.
“The League will be called the Par Tee Girls,” she said. “Our sign up will be May 18th at Woodland Hills Golf Course at 5:30 p.m.
That night we will pay our $40 league fee, take a picture for our website, get paired up with a partner (if you don’t already have someone to join with) and meet the other women of the league.”
The league will begin on May 25 and play each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. through August 10.
“On the last night, we will have our banquet with a best ball scramble, a catered dinner and a lot of fun! ” Stiler said.
“My main goal for coordinating the league is to bring together women off all ages and skill levels to play a great game,” she said. “I have told many women over the years that if you would like to play golf, you need to set the time aside to play on a regular basis so you have a chance to improve your game. The league is very casual, and a great opportunity to learn. Our only opponents are really ourselves.”
There is an opportunity to join a competitive group for those interested in challenging themselves more, she added.
“The nice aspect of the league is that women of all skill levels can play together,” she said. “I only ask that you play ready golf to keep the pace going.”
Striler is coordinating some lessons for those women that are learning or who would like to brush up on their game.
To contact Striler, phone 248-568-7790
“Joining a women’s league is a great opportunity to meet a lot great women, develop your game and friendships, and have a lot of fun in the meantime,” she said. “I hope the women of Fort Scott and surrounding areas will join us!”
Striler coordinated a similar ladies league in the Kansas City area for 18 years, starting the league when her youngest daughter was 4 years old. She started it looking for an excuse to meet with friends on a regular basis.
Here are the Par Tee Girls Information and Rules, provided by Striler:
“*Everyone has a partner.
*We will play from the red tees.
*Please play ready golf – hit when you can if another golfer is not ready.
*Take only 6 strokes before green. If you are not on the green by the 6th shot,
(5th on par 3s) pick up your ball and move to the green so you can count your putts.
*We will have one game each night. The winner receives half the putt money. The rest
will go toward the banquet.
*Turn in one scorecard with all 4 players on it. (I do not record everyone’s weekly score,
so if you want to keep track, you can fill out an extra card to keep)
*When scoring, write down your total score for the hole, and then the number of putts you have for the hole.
Do the same for your total score
This way you can calculate what you need to add to the kitty.
*If you hit a ball out of bounds or into the water, drop a ball near where it went out, and take a one stroke penalty.
*Free lift – If your ball lands on a man-made pathway, sprinkler, etc., bring the ball out two club lengths back away from the hole.
*Keep up with the pace of play. You should be able to complete a hole in less than 15 minutes. That way the tee times don’t get backed up.
*Most of all, relax, play with new people and have fun !!!”
About Striler
Diane Striler. Submitted photo.
Diane Colgan Striler is a realtor for Front Door Realty in Fort Scott.
She grew up in the Kansas City area and discovered Fort Scott around eight years ago when husband, Dean, and she were looking for a lake house. Friends had recently purchased a home at Lake Fort Scott and suggested that they come look.
The community has been very welcoming, she said, and the couple “fell in love with Fort Scott.”
Striler’s original plan was to fix up some houses and sell them because of a need for housing in the community. She enjoys working with hand tools, has a background in sales and a marketing degree.
She decided to get a real estate license.
After visiting with Jared Leek, owner of Front Door Realty, things fell into place.
“I started working as a realtor with Front Door Real Estate and we (she and Dean) purchased the Ren-nett Studio Building at 6 N. Main,” she said. She now has a Kansas and Missouri license.
She works to get unoccupied homes back on the market, she said.
“It ends up being a win win situation for everyone: back taxes get paid, the past owner is relieved of the burden and a new person finds a home,” she said.
Fort Scott Pioneers Kiwanis Club will host a prayer walk for the National Day of Prayer on May 5 at Riverfront Park on North National Avenue near the Marmaton River.
The tall deciduous trees give shade to walkers on the Belltown Trail in Riverfront Park.
“It worked so well last year during (the) COVID-19 (Pandemic),” said Marlene Braker, treasurer for the group. “When COVID hit we couldn’t host the annual breakfast event (which is held) at Fort Scott Community Collge.”
This year when they began planning the event, there were still COVID constraints, so they decided to do the prayer walk again, which allows for small groups in the open air.
The walk will take place between 4:30 – 6 p.m. The public is invited to stroll the loop and stop at each of four designated reflection points to pray.
“It’s a nice level path, with benches to sit and pray,” Braker said.
Unless there are storm warnings out, the event will take place, she said.
Parking near the trailhead is limited but overflow parking is available at Twister Trailers across the street.
2022 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER THEME
Graphic taken from the National Day of Prayer website.
The theme for the 2022 National Day of Prayer is a call to praise in prayer:
‘EXALT THE LORD, WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US’ based on Colossians 2:6-7 NASB
“This theme is set against the backdrop of an inspiring painting created exclusively for the National Day of Prayer by renowned Christian artist, Ron DiCianni. The image illustrates God’s people joining His angels in EXALTING Him as we pray, because He is God Almighty. We have bold access to His throne and passionate confidence as we pray – because HE HAS ESTABLISHED US in this nation and is working in the heavenlies to accomplish all that He has purposed – as we PRAY FOR AMERICA!, according to the National Day of Prayer website.
On May 5th, Americans from all walks of life will unite to lift up our country in prayer for the National Day of Prayer. Our nation has endured tragedy and pain, but we know prayer has carried us through these days and the hand of God will move us into a brighterfuture”.
About Pioneer Kiwanis
The Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis is a service organization helping the children of Bourbon County
The group meets on Thursdays at noon at the First United Methodist Church,Third Street and National Avenue, in fellowship hall.
The current officers and board of directors are as follows:
Elizabeth Schafer, President
Diane Spencer, Immediate Past President
Millie Karleskint, President Elect
Kelley Collins, Secretary
Marlene Braker, Treasurer
Cheryl Basore, Director
Vickie Chaplin, Director
Nancy Hart, Director
Gayle Sackett, Director
Judy Wallis, Director
Other members include:
Marlene Arndt
Dee Ann Davis
Sally Eckles
Tammy Helm
Bernita Hill
Carol Clyde Gallagher
Aileen Pollock
Gina Staudinger
Sylvia Trujillo
“In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill into law establishing a National Day of Prayer, ” Collins said. “It is a day set aside for prayer and meditation and recognizes the role of religion in our country.”
“The Kiwanis Pioneers have held a public activity on the National Day of Prayer for over 25 years.,” Collins said.
Recently in honor of a Joyce True, a friendship swing was installed at Gunn Park by the group.
On Thursday the Fort Scott Pioneers Kiwanis Club presented a friendship swing at Gunn Park to the community. Marlene Braker and Judy Wallis are standing, and Vickie Chaplin and Dee Ann Davis are in the swing. Taken from the organization’s Facebook page.
The new swing provided for handicapped individuals by Fort Scott Kiwanis Club of the Pioneers as seen during construction in November 2021.
Thursday, April 28, the Fort Scott Chamber Coffee will be hosted by the Pioneer Kiwanis. The event attendees will meet at 8 am at Shelter #3 in Gunn Park.
The Pioneer Kiwanis are dedicating a Friendship Swing in honor of past member Joyce True. Funds have been collected for several years.
Members of her family have been invited.
A summary of the way funds were collected:
$435 – Memorial Donation from Joyce True family
$1200 – Fundraising
$400 – Kansas Kiwanis Foundation
$195 – Breakfast on the Bricks
$73 – Summer Bourbon County Fair Winnings from Members
Applications for a family pass at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center for the upcoming swimming season must be completed and returned to Buck Run Community Center by next Friday, April 29.
Applications are available at Buck Run and TheBeacon.
The USD 235 School District reopened Uniontown Fitness Center to the public. The fitness center is located on the southeast corner of the junior/senior high school, and has its’ own door with a key entry.
It re-opened to the public April 13.
The fitness center was closed to the public by the administration in November 2021, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
It also was closed from November 2021 through March 2022 for the junior high, high school, and Kids Club Wrestling season. They previously had used the fitness center as a practice room, Superintendent Bret Howard said. The room was the former library room.
The center is open before and after school.
“The fitness center is available to our physical education classes,” he said. “Our junior high and high school classes really don’t use it as they have the weight room. Our elementary PE classes used it on Friday’s before COVID. That hasn’t resumed post-Covid at this time.”
The Uniontown Fitness Center has a separate door to the district’s building, on the southeast side of the building.
Bret Howard, Superintendent of USD 235. Submitted. photo.
A keycard is sold to USD235 District residents for $10, a one time fee, unless the card is lost.
“For those of you who have a keycard, those should still work,” Howard said. “To obtain a key card to access the fitness center you will need to contact Mr. Vance Eden, Principal at West Bourbon Elementary School.”
For any additional questions, contact Eden at (620) 756-4335 or Howard at (620) 756-4302.
“You will be required to sign a sheet acknowledging you will agree to follow the rules and regulations for the Uniontown Fitness Center,” he said. “You will also need to pay a one-time fee of $10. Once you have done those two things, you will be given a keycard and may begin using the Uniontown Fitness Center.”
Hours of availability to the public: Monday – Friday from 5 to 7 AM and 5:30 to 9:30 PM. Saturday and Sunday from 6 AM to 7 PM.
The fitness center first opened in 2018 following the receiving of a grant.
U235 Students were trained how to use the equipment in this 2018 photo. Four students from each grade, 4th through 12th, were randomly selected to be student fitness ambassadors. They were given prior training in the weeks leading up to the official ribbon cutting.Submitted.
A state league mountain bike race will be in Fort Scott on April 23.
Kansas NICA is coming to Gunn Park Trails!
The primary goal of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is to get more kids on bikes, according to information from NICA. NICA provides opportunity for student athletes, 6th through the 12th grade, to compete in the growing sport of mountain biking, and develop the life-long skill of cycling.
Submitted photo from NICA.
Gunn Park will be closed April 23-24 to the Public
On April 24, Fort Scott’s wooded and hilly Gunn Park Trails will be one of the venues this year for the Kansas League of NICA. Setup will begin on Saturday, April 23, and Gunn Park will be closed for the weekend except to spectators, volunteers, and obviously participants.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking IS for flatlanders too.
Mountain biking is synonymous with off-road biking/trail-riding, as opposed to paved or gravel trails. As long as you have elevation, rocks and dirt, you can have a trail, according to information provided by Frank Halsey, who is the liaison between the race organizers and The City of Fort Scott.
Halsey is an avid mountain bike rider and hosts other local mountain bike races in Gunn Park during the year. He initiated the trails in the park and started the Gunn Park Trails organization several years ago.
He was contacted by Tina Kahn, Director for Kansas NICA, about eight weeks ago, for permission to host a mountain bike race on Gunn Park Trails. He approached the city commission about “this great opportunity to showcase our local trails as well as the awesome hospitality of Fort Scott,” Halsey said, and the city commission approved.
Submitted photo from NICA.
“To host this type of event is an honor for our team of volunteers and tremendous opportunity for Fort Scott”, said Halsey. “The whole thing is very, very organized, and follows a 200-page rules and regulations book produced by the NICA. It’s kids, so they are ultra-careful about doing things safely and professionally”.
“It is quite the production,” he said. “Their infield/staging area is awesome with vendor and sponsor tents set up, everything fenced off, creating a pro-sport atmosphere. It’s all about the experience for the athletes.”
New Fort Scott Team Next Year?
“The nearest team is currently from the Pleasanton-Louisburg area, but I hope we can field a team next year,” Halsey said. “There are currently about 140 (Kansas) student athletes, making up eleven different teams from across the state.”
This is Clara Wikoff’s first Walk Kansas event as a Nutrition, Food, and Health Kansas State University Extension Agent.
This year K-State Southwind District, which includes Bourbon County, is hosting the annual walk-team event in conjunction with Wildcat District, she said.
“We hope you’ll join us at the Wild Wind Fun Walk/Run Walk Kansas Kick-off,” she said. “It will be at Chanute, which is more central to each district.”
“Anyone can participate and those 18 and younger, can for free,” Wikoff said.
Adult registration is $25 which includes the event entry, T-shirt and Walk Kansas registration. If one just wants to participate, the program is free, she said.
If already registered for Walk Kansas, then pay $15 for the event and T-shirt.
The kick-off fun run starts at 9 a.m. this Saturday, March 26, in the Neosho County Community College Student Union at 800 W. 14th in Chanute.
There will be a closed Walk Kansas Facebook support group page, she said. “To help people reach their goals. If a state of Kansas employee, you are eligible for Health Quest Credit.”
There will be a weekly newsletter, recipes, and a youth newsletter to all who participate, she said.
Walk Kansas is a team-based program that will help you and others lead a healthier life, according to a K-State press release.
Join this program and
Learn how eating a certain way can help protect brain function and reduce your risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Guess what? There’s an app for that! You’ll need to register online first, then you can use it to log minutes, chat with your team, and more! Please note that the app is for iOS systems. An app for Android systems is in the works, and you’ll see it here when it becomes available.
If you have questions about Walk Kansas, please call Clara Wicoff: 620-365-2242, or email: clarawicoff@ksu.edu
Join the Southwind Extension District for our Walk Kansas 2022 kickoff event! Walk Kansas is a team-based health initiative program that will inspire you to lead a healthier life by being more active. To celebrate the start of this year’s program, a fun 5K run and 3K or 1K walk is being held at Neosho County Community College on March 26th at 9 AM. The $25 adult registration fee includes event entry, a t-shirt, and the registration fee for Walk Kansas! Youth can attend the event for only $15, since their Walk Kansas registration is free. Early registration guarantees t-shirt size availability. We are so excited to kick off Walk Kansas with our friends in the Wildcat Extension District, who are cohosting this event! To register, visit www.bit.ly/Wildcatpay or call 620-331-2690. (Please note when you register that if you have already registered and paid for Walk Kansas and would like to participate in the kickoff event, the cost is just $15 for you.) So, tighten up those laces! We hope to see you there. Contact Clara Wicoff, Nutrition, Food and Health Agent, with questions at 620-365-2242 or clarawicoff@ksu.edu.
A similar splash pad to this image is being planned for Gunn Park. Submitted photo.
A small group of Fort Scott residents, most of whom have young children, have a vision for a splash pad in Gunn Park.
A splash pad is a water recreational play area, which in other cities, is often in a public area.
“A splash pad will benefit all ages,” Josh Jones, one of the organizers said. “It’s a great way for people of all ages to stay active during hot summer days.”
columbiasc.momcollective.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/splash-pad-2.jpg Taken from Facebook.
“A small group of us started this right before COVID (the disease pandemic) hit and it’s been on hold till recently,” he said.
The group is comprised of Kristin Bishop, Will Bishop, Seth Needham, Bailey Lyons, and Jones.
“The planned location for the splash pad will be right down from the caretaker’s house, on the east side of the road, as you start to exit Gunn Park, across from shelter house #1 (the big rock shelter house),” he said.
Fundraising will begin January 2022 and the plan is for the splash pad to be operational by summer 2023, Jones said.
“We have a couple of fundraisers lined up that we will announce in the next month or so,” he said.
Donations are being accepted at Lyons Realty Group, Bourbon County Cars, or Venmo at Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
