Parks

LOVEWELL STATE PARK FIREWORKS DISPLAY CANCELLED

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:06:06 GMT

Limited personal fireworks to be allowed, depending on weather
WEBBER -- The fireworks display normally scheduled for the July 4th holiday weekend at Lovewell State Park has been cancelled. Tentative plans are to allow individual legal fireworks in the Pioneer Playground Area only on July 3 and 4 from dusk to 11 p.m.

Dry conditions will affect whether or not the fireworks will be allowed. Notices will be posted at the Pioneer Playground Area, with fireworks announcements. A vehicle permit is required. Daily permits are $4.20, annual permit $24.70. Phone the state park office at 785-753-4971 or email lovewellsp@wp.state.ks.us for more information.
-30-

FALL RIVER STATE PARK ADDS NEW CABIN

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:08:18 GMT

State park now offers two cabins as low as $65 per night
FALL RIVER STATE PARK -- Fall River State Park staff have announced the completion of a new cabin in the park, Heron's Cove Cabin, which is now ready to reserve. The cabin comes with bathroom/shower, microwave, refrigerator, four-burner cook stove with oven, full bed, Murphy twin bed, futon, table and chairs, air conditioning and heating, outside hydrant, shelter, picnic table, fire ring with grill, service for eight set with silverware and glasses, toaster, coffee pot, and other limited cookware.

This new cabin complements the park's Cedar Crest Cabin, and both may be reserved year-round by phoning 620-637-2213 or online at www.kdwp.state.ks.us. (Click "State Parks/Locations With Cabins/Fall River.") Overnight fees are $65 April 1 through Sept. 30, Sunday through Thursday, or $85 per night on Friday and Saturday. Reduced rates are available Oct. 1-March 31. Weekly rates are also available.

These and other cabins throughout the Kansas state park system were funded by the Kansas Wildscape Foundation and built by inmates at Kansas correctional facilities in Hutchinson, Ellsworth, and Norton. For more information, phone Wildscape's executive director, Charlie Black, at 316-841-8877 or email charlieblack@sunflower.com.
-30-

Mark Fenton and Dr. Richard Jackson Featured in Annual Built Environment and the Outdoors Summit, Oct. 1-3, in Topeka

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:20:39 GMT

TOPEKA, KS. – Dr. Richard Jackson and Mark Fenton, two nationally recognized experts on creative methods for making communities healthier and more livable, will headline the third annual Built Environment and the Outdoors Summit, scheduled for Oct. 1-3 at the Capitol-Plaza Hotel in Topeka.

The summit is designed for community health and trail system advocates, city or state government leaders or planners, or anyone interesting in learning techniques and philosophies to enhance healthy lifestyles through community development, outdoor activity and nutrition.

In addition, the summit will identify resources and address how to take action to affect environmental policy in the state and in communities to promote physical activity for a healthy Kansas.

Fenton is host of the former PBS television series America’s Walking, a consultant to the University of North Carolina’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center and an instructor in the walkable community workshop series of the Washington DC-based National Center for Bicycling and Walking. He’s also a contributing editor to Health and Heart Healthy Living magazines and has written numerous books related to healthy activities.

He’s become a vocal pedestrian advocate and recognized authority on public health issues and the need for community, environmental, and public-policy initiatives to encourage more walking and bicycling.

Dr. Jackson is an internationally recognized environmental health expert who in recent years has focused on the links between urban sprawl and human health. He is Professor and Chair of Environmental Health at the UCLA School of Public Health.

He’s also co-author of the much-acclaimed book Urban Sprawl and Public Health. In his book, Dr. Jackson makes the case that methods for building cities and neighborhoods are the source of many chronic diseases by contributing to obesity, inactivity and depression.

There will be a variety of breakout sessions the first two days of the event which focus on (1) people/partnerships, (2) resources and (3) policy. On Saturday, the summit will feature a trail design and building workshop at Kaw River State Park in Topeka.

Registration is available through one of three package prices: $35 for one day, $60 for two days or $80 for all three days. A registration form and full schedule of sessions is available at www.krpa.org or by contacting the Kansas Recreation and Park Association office (785-235-6533).

The summit is planned and hosted by a variety of state and non-profit health organizations, including the Kansas Health Foundation, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Department on Aging, Parks and Recreation of Topeka, Kansas Trails Council and Kansas State University.

NEW CABINS TO BE DEDICATED AT MILFORD STATE PARK

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:01:03 GMT

Kansas Wildscape Foundation raises funds for inmate-built cabins

On June 12, the Kansas Wildscape Foundation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host a cabin dedication ceremony for two new Wildscape-funded rental cabins at Milford State Park, near Junction City. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m., following Wildscape's golf portion of the 2009 Governor's Golf & Fishing Classic. KDWP Secretary Mike Hayden, Milford State Park manager Tony Reitz, and other area community and business leaders will be present.

Milford cabin sponsors are Jim Braden, Clay Center, and Gary Junghans, Junction City. With the addition of these cabins, Wildscape has provided funding for 32 rental cabins on Kansas state parks and public lands, with plans for an additional 128 cabins to be in place over the next five years. Wildscape is privately funding more than $6 million for the cabins project.

Wildscape-funded cabins are built by inmates at Kansas correctional facilities in Hutchinson, Ellsworth, and Norton, and the inmates are trained in various work-related skills to help them successfully transition into public life. The program has been well received across the state, and the inmates are proud to work on these cabins and participate in providing more outdoor opportunities to all Kansans.

For more information, phone Wildscape's executive director, Charlie Black, at 316-841-8877 or email charlieblack@sunflower.com.

-30-

SUMMERTIME AND LIVIN' IS EASY AT KANSAS STATE PARKS

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:55:56 GMT

Hot weather finally hits Kansas, lures visitors to state parks

Warm summer weather swept across the Sunflower State over Memorial Day weekend, luring Kansans out of the house and onto the water to beat the heat and soak up the sun. As warm weather continues, so do park activities, with a host of special events on tap for the first month of summer. Some events are scheduled in conjunction with Free Park Entrance Days, some celebrate a special historical event or geological attribute of an individual park, and others are just for entertainment. Each park sets its own dates for these events.

June will include many free park entrance days, kids' fishing events, trail rides, and the ever-popular Country Stampede, featuring three days of live music at Tuttle Creek State Park. In addition, June 6-7 are Free Fishing Days statewide, and June 6 is National Trails Day. Other events will be featured, depending on the park. Many are educational and all make visiting Kansas state parks more fun. For more information on state park events, phone individual parks or visit the Event Calendar on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website.

Park goers are urged to phone the park they intend to visit before traveling. Contact information for all state parks offices may be found on the KDWP website.

The following is a list of state park events for June:

June 5-7 -- Rainbow Meadows equine rescue and retirement trail ride at Perry State Park;
June 5-7 -- Hunt 4 Hunger benefit fishing tournament at Eisenhower State Park;
June 6 -- Free Park Entrance Day at Elk City State Park;
June 6 -- Free Park Entrance Day at Cross Timbers State Park;
June 6 -- Free Park Entrance Day at Fall River State Park;
June 6-7 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Perry State Park;
June 6 -- Free Park Entrance Day and kids' fishing derby at Pomona State Park;
June 6-7 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Webster State Park;
June 6-7 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Glen Elder State Park;
June 6-7 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Scott State Park;
June 6 -- 5th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament at Glen Elder State Park;
June 6 -- National Trails Day, free trail entrance at Cross Timbers State Park;
June 6 -- National Trails Day, free trail entrance at Fall River State Park;
June 7 -- Kids fishing derby at Lovewell State Park;
June 11-17 -- Ironman Event at Clinton State Park (Boat Ramp #3 closed);
June 12-13 -- Kansas Wildscape Golf and Fishing Classic at Milford State Park and Rolling Meadows Golf Course;
June 12-14 -- Miami County Cancer Foundation trail ride at Hillsdale State Park;
June 12-14 -- Hell Creek Hoedown music festival and Free Park Entrance Days (June 13-14) at Wilson State Park;
June 13-14 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Cedar Bluff State Park;
June 13-14 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Eisenhower State Park;
June 13-14 -- Free Park Entrance Days at Wilson State Park;
June 13 -- National Get Outdoors Day at Pomona State Park;
June 13 -- Jackpot Buddy bass fishing tournament at Perry State Park;
June 13 -- Backlashers Bass Club fishing tournament at Hillsdale State Park;
June 13 -- OK Kids Day and Free Park Entrance Day at Wilson State Park;
June 14 -- Dick's bass tournament at Hillsdale State Park;
June 18-21 -- Eastern Kansas Arabian Horse Association trail ride at Hillsdale State Park;
June 20-21 -- South Central Kansas Trail Riders Association trail ride at Milford State Park;
June 20-21 -- Hooves of Heaven horseback trail ride at Cedar Bluff State Park;
June 20 -- VANGO fishing tournament fundraiser at Clinton State Park;
June 21 -- Free Park Entrance Day at Hillsdale State Park;
June 25-28 -- Country Stampede music festival at Tuttle Creek State Park;
June 26-27 -- MOTDRA 15- to 25-mile equestrian trail ride at Milford State Park; and
June 27 - Froggz Bass Club fishing tournament at Wilson State Park.

-30-