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: [email protected]
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 [email protected].
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.
Riverfront Park on the north end of Fort Scott near the Marmaton River, is a work in progress.
As grants have been received, the Riverfront Park Authority Board has put in place many amenities that the public can enjoy: a tree-lined walking trail and lighting for that trail, a pavilion with electricity, several resting areas and a boardwalk, with views overlooking the river.
A recent flood wrecked the boardwalk overlook, so it was disassembled and moved to the south, across the river on higher ground.
“The flood put it on the edge of the riverbank, almost in the river,” Jerry Witt, a member of the Riverfront Park Authority said.
Johnny Walker Construction did the work of moving the boardwalk, he said. The timber for the original project was donated by Evergy Electric and was reused.
The Fort Scott Fire Department washed and cleaned it after it was reconstructed, about two months ago, Witt said.
“It’s shaded in a beautiful spot,” Witt said.
On the horizon for the Riverfront Park Authority is an 8-foot wide asphalt trail that will lead to the boardwalk overlook.
In a circle garden spot on the River Loop Road, from which one can now see the boardwalk, the Bourbon County Garden Club has planted a colorful garden.
“I want to thank them for their work,” Witt said.
This club also plants and maintains the plants in downtown Fort Scott.
“The fire department has been watering the flower bed this summer and we thank them, as well,” Witt said.
There has been added traffic to the River Loop Park because of the murals painted in the Hwy. 69 underpass that segments the park, he said.
The murals were painted by local artist Stephen Toal.
The Riverfront Park Authority Board is preparing the write a grant to finish the walking trails on the River Loop Road, Witt said.
The board has also had the engineering done and also permits completed to build a walking bridge across the river, he said.
“We just need the funding to secure that,” Witt said.
The board applied for a grant a few years ago to bring a historic Bourbon County bridge to the park for public use.
“We received a $750,000 grant to move it, but all bids came in over $1,000,000, so we gave the grant back,” Witt said.
The idea to remake Riverfront Park began in 2005 and a group of citizens was commissioned by then-Governor Sibelius in 2007.
The board is comprised of Witt, Bob Love, Danny Magee, Arnold Schofield, Jeff Sweetser, and Allen Warren. Ex-officio members are Dean Mann, Betty Boyko, Penny Barnes, and Kate Sweetser.
The signs that will designate the bike route of the new Prairie Pathways Bike Trail coming to Bourbon County. Submitted photo.
Representatives from a neighboring county spoke to the Fort Scott City Commission recently about a proposed bicycle trail in Bourbon County.
John Leahy, Thrive Allen County Bike and Trails Coordinator and John Castellaw the Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for Thrive
covered a brief history of how the Prairie Pathways plan (approved by Bourbon County, Allen County, and Crawford County) was the first rural active transportation plan in Kansas.
The men then detailed the entirety of the route along old Highway 54 from Fort Scott to Iola, to the city commission, Leahy said.
“We needed to appear before the (FS)city council because we were seeking final approval of the signs for the Prairie Pathways within Fort Scott city limits,” he said.
“The route has been set in all three counties,” Jody Hoener, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team CEO said.
“Bourbon County will have approximately 23 miles of the total 43 miles from Fort Scott to Iola,” Leahy said.
“We are working on gaining permission through each of the cities (in Bourbon County),” Hoener said. “We have obtained permission for signs from the City of Fort Scott. They will also be presenting to the City of Uniontown and to Bronson City Council to gain permission for sign placement.
“Eric Bailey with Bourbon County’s Public Work will be helping us with installing (sign) posts,” she said. ” Right now they are working hard on getting as many miles as asphalt down as possible. They will help us with installation as soon as they can.”
“Allen County, Bourbon County, and Crawford County (ABC) are actively working to improve the bicycling and walking environment to improve access to opportunities for physical activity, enhance the quality of life, and encourage economic growth”, according to information provided by Leahy . “Each community recognizes that active transportation – biking and walking for transportation, as well as outdoor recreation – impacts our lives in several important ways. Research, such as the cost-benefit analysis The Potential Trail Benefits for Bourbon County, Kansas, (Robb, 2017) has shown trails to do more than add to community’s appeal as a place to live, such as:
● Increased sales for existing businesses
● Opportunities for new business
● Increased value and speed of sale of nearby properties
● Reduced medical costs from healthy activities
● Business location and relocation decisions
● Healthcare insurance decisions
● Addresses rural transportation issues
● Low or no-cost recreational opportunity
● Attracts and retains a skilled and unskilled workforce
● It helps lower transportation costs, both for individuals and for communities as a whole;
● Provides attractions for visitors”
The ABC plan’s name was recently changed to Prairie Pathways, he said.
“In respect to a timeline, Thrive is working with both Allen County Public Works as well as the City of Iola Public Works Department,” he said. “We are trying to coordinate both so the signs are installed along a similar time frame after the…(Allen County Public Works)asphalt season.”
” Funding for the planning stage is from the Sunflower Foundation,” Hoener said. “We have grant dollars from Blue Cross Blue Cross Pathways to Healthy Kansas for signage and posts.”
John Castellaw the Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for Thrive Allen County spoke to the Fort Scott City Commission about the bike trail. Submitted photo.Jody Hoener with John Leahy and John Castellaw at a recent Fort Scott City Commission meeting. Submitted photos.
“Funding for the planning stage is from the Sunflower Foundation,” Hoener said. “We have grant dollars from Blue Cross Blue Cross Pathways to Healthy Kansas for signage and posts.”
ABC Trails has been renamed Prairie Pathways. Hoener provided the cost benefits poster.
April until 30th ~ Poetry Contest hosted by Hedgehog.INK Bookstore. Click here to learn more about submission rules and deadlines.
4/9 – The Boiler Room Brewhaus Friday Nights Karaoke!
4/9-15 – Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes Now showing Godzilla VS. Kong, Firl who believes in Miracles and Voyagers. Click here to view showtimes.
4/9 – FSCC Women’s Intercollegiate Golf Tournament Round One! Begins at 1 pm Tee Time at Woodland Hills Golf Course.
4/9-10 – Livestock Sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
4/9-11 – Kansas Rocks Recreation Park Camp-N-Crawl 3-Day Event click here for details.
4/9-10 – Timken 2-Day Job Fair April 9th 1-5pm, April 10th 10am-3pm
4/9-10 – “Fort Games” 2-Day Event at Smallville Athletics
4/10 – Ward-Kraft Job Fair 9am-noon, 2221 Main St., under the white tent.
4/10 – Care to Share Rummage Sale Buck Run Community Center, open spots for more sales, call 620-224-8070 (donations accepted as well for the Sharing Bucket)
4/10 – Communities in Schools 25 Drive Event drive-thru donation event to benefit local youth, 9:30am-12:30pm, FSMS, click here for more details.
4/10 – FSCC Women’s Intercollegiate Golf Tournament Round Two! Begins at 9am Tee Time at Woodland Hills Gold Course.
4/10 – Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Meeting City Hall, 10am.
4/12 – Spring Cleanup at Woodland Hills Golf Course Volunteers welcome, 5:30pm, to pick up any trash, limbs, sticks, etc.
4/13 – Downtown Quarterly Meet & Greet hosted by the Chamber at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St., 8:30-9:30am, anyone with an interest in happenings Downtown welcome.
4/15 – Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Christian Heights School 1101 S. Barbee, 8am.
4/15-16 – Peerless Products Job Fair 2 Days, 2 Locations ~ April 15th @ Peerless in Nevada MO from 10am-2pm, April 16th @ Peerless in Fort Scott from 10am-2pm
4/16 – Downtown Spring Clean Event 3-6pm, Community volunteers welcome, contact Bailey Lyons, Chamber Downtown Division Chair, if interested in volunteering or you have project ideas, 620-224-7795.
4/16 – Kick-off of the Friday Night Concerts in the Park 7pm, Heritage Park Pavilion @ 1st & Main, bring a lawn chair.
4/16 – David Loving Live to the Stage @ Boiler Room Brewhaus 7-pm, click here for more info.
4/17 – Elks Golf Tournament Fundraiser for Community Fireworks 11am tee-off, 3-person scramble.
4/17 – EKTEC Rodeo 11am, Uniontown.
4/17 – Cruise for the Kids hosted by Walmart 12-3pm, click here for more info.
4/17-18 – Hollister Shooting Range open 1st & 3rd weekends Saturday 1-4pm, Sunday noon-5pm.
4/17 – Paint & Sip Party @ Boiler Room Brewhaus 6pm, click here for more info.
Swimming lessons at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center on July 10, 2018.
The Bourbon County Coalition is gearing up with its’ annual family swim pass program, according to Billie Jo Drake, president.
“The goal of the family swim pass program is to provide access to the Fort Scott Aquatic Center for qualifying low-income families,” she said. “The application process includes proof of income.”
Application forms are now available at The Beacon and Buck Run Community Center; completed forms must be returned to Buck Run by April 30.
Funding for this program is provided by The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Board, Key Charitable Trust, SEK Community Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, the City of Fort Scott, and generous individuals.
The duration of the approved passes will be for the 2021 swimming season.
3/19 & – Karaoke Friday Nights at The Boiler Room Brewhaus! Experience or beginners, it does not matter! Let’s have some fun with music & drinks! Click here for their FB page.
Fort Scott Cinema Showtimes 3/19 thru 3/25 Now Raya and the Last Dragon, Tom & Jerry, Chaos Walking. Click here to view showtimes.
3/18 & 3/19- Livestock sale at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, both Friday & Saturday, click here for their FB page.
3/19- Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, drive-thru only, order on arrival, or preorder by texting or calling Dale Cation at 620-224-8382, 5-6:30 pm, Kennedy Gym, min. $5 suggested donation per dinner. Last Friday
State your selection when ordering:
1 – Catfish, French fries, and coleslaw
2 – Catfish, cod, French fries, and coleslaw
3 – Cod, French fries, and coleslaw
3/19 thru 3/21- SPRING FLING! LOLLIPOP HOP & SHOP + SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST!
Participating stores Downtown and around Fort Scott! Calling all artists of all ages! Come between March 19th & 21st in the Downtown Historic District or in front of another participating store & post to the Chamber Facebook Page “Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce” to be included in judging with using #fortscottshopart. Prizes for Novice & advanced Divisions, to be determined by judges! Shop Hop and get you a Lollipop from participating retailers (Poster displayed in Window) Clickhere to view the full details or visit our website at www.fortscott.com.
Participating Retailers: Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Hedgehog.INK! bookstore, Laree + Co, Iron Star Antique & Such, The Rainbow Unicorn Boutique, Star Emporium General Store, Treasure Hunt Flea Market
3/20 – Paint in the Park ~ Creative Signs comes to Gunn Park in Fort Scott for Paint Class. $25 (16 x 20) 1 am – 4 pm. 1010 Park Ave. Click hereto view FB Page.
3/20- Pickleball from 8-10 am at Memorial Hall, open to anyone wanting to play! Always check the FB Group page herefor any location changes or cancelations. Tuesdays 6-8pm, Thursdays 6-8pm & Saturdays 8-10am.
3/20 & 3/21 – Old Fort Sharp Shooters Club Hollister Shooting Range Open every 1st & 3rd weekend of each month1 to 5 pm. Visit their Facebook Page to learn more about the club and prices. Open to the Public. Click hereto view FB
3/20- Pickleball from 8-10 am at Memorial Hall, open to anyone wanting to play! Always check the FB Group page herefor any location changes or cancelations. Tuesdays 6-8pm, Thursdays 6-8pm & Saturdays 8-10am.
3/22 – SHARY’S PUB & GRUB OPEN INTERVIEWS! 16 N. National Ave. All Positions! Wait Staff, Bartenders, and Kitchen Staff Monday 2 – 4 pm.
3/23 – 3/25 KANSAS WORKS VIRTUAL JOB FAIR 3 Day Event. Register on-line.
3/24 FSCC Basketball @ Home vs. Labette Community College 7 pm to 9:30 pm
3/25- Chamber Coffee hosted by Chamber Nevada Regional Medical Center being held at Common Ground Coffee Co., Landing Room. 8 am 12 E. Wall. St. Please join us to welcome the New Chamber Members and meet a couple of their Staff Members and learn about the services they offer.
3/26 ~ FSCC Aggie Days
3/27 ~ Care to Share Garage Sale 8 am-Noon
3/27 ~ Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Gunn Park
10 am by the Kiwanis Club
3/27 ~ Spring Pop Up Event featuring Perry’s
Pork Rinds & Blue Spoon | Tractor Supply
from 10:30 am until 4 pm
3/27 ~ FSCC Basketball @ Home vs. Hesston
College 4 pm to 6:30 pm
3/27 ~ Bourbon County HPA Spring Program
TheComanche a Living History 6:30 -9:30 PM
at the Old Congregational Church
3/27 ~ Kansas Rocks Riding a Night of Fun
7 am until Midnight
3/22 thru 4/2- Art is Ageless Exhibit Fort Scott Presbyterian Village showing!
Seniors of the Fort Scott Community 65 + submitted art to be on display. Artists compete in nine categories, including painting, drawing, photography, quilting, and sculpture, and maybe designated as amateur or professional. Questions on viewing call 620.223.5550 and talk to Megan Brillhart. Located at 2401 S. Horton
HEY, LOCAL BUSINESSES! WE HAVE ROOM FOR TWO MORE TITLE SPONSORS!
Some of you may not be interested in a booth set up for the event but we are adding a banner wall for our title sponsors for the duration of the event.
This will have your logo and any information you want on a 11×17 poster for all our athletes (over 100) and spectators 200-300
(many from out of town) to see.
The cut-off is this Friday 03/19/20 as we are rolling fast into the event. Please get with Lindsey Watts or Katie Hueston for any questions or to get on our sponsor list to make this event happen!!
