MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutch Rec is continuing to build on more than a decade of neighborhood-focused community development with the launch of a new Neighborhood Ambassador Program aimed at increasing resident involvement and leadership across the city.
Denise Gilliland, Hutch Rec’s director of community initiatives, said the program is designed to strengthen connections between neighbors while empowering residents to take a more active role in shaping their communities.
“As the Director of Community Initiatives, I oversee our Healthy Neighborhoods work, as well as arts and culture programming like Third Thursday and community events,” Gilliland said during a recent interview on the BW Morning Show.
The Healthy Neighborhood Initiative began in 2015, when local stakeholders focused efforts on revitalizing the southwest Bricktown area. Since then, the program has expanded to seven neighborhoods across Hutchinson, each working with residents to identify priorities and implement improvements.
“This is very resident-driven work,” Gilliland said. “Our goal is to create neighborhoods where people want to live — where they feel connected and invested.”
Over the past decade, the initiative has supported a range of projects, from park improvements and public art installations to neighborhood events and advocacy efforts. Gilliland said one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is seeing residents develop leadership skills and confidence in advocating for their neighborhoods.
To build on that momentum, Hutch Rec is introducing the Neighborhood Ambassador Program, which will provide new entry points for residents to get involved.
Two informational sessions are scheduled to introduce the program:
- Thursday, April 9, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 11, from 10:30 a.m. to noon
Both sessions will be held at Hutch Rec, and childcare will be available upon request. Pre-registration is encouraged through the Hutch Rec website.
Gilliland said the sessions will cover the basics of the initiative, along with practical tools to help residents connect with neighbors and organize community activities.
“Participants will learn how to host neighborhood gatherings, like ‘donuts on the driveway’ or ‘pancakes in the park,’ and how to lead effective meetings,” she said. “We want to give people the tools and confidence to step into leadership roles.”
Currently, the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative includes seven areas: Farmington Park, Midtown, College Grove, Grace Arbor, Creekside, Founders and Southwest Bricktown.
Each neighborhood has seen unique improvements. For example, Farmington Park residents successfully advocated for park upgrades and a walking trail, while Grace Arbor is working toward developing a new park space. Creekside recently added interactive sidewalk art, and southwest Bricktown continues to host well-known community events.
Gilliland noted that while the program has strong participation from core volunteers, it remains relatively unknown to many residents.
“I think it’s kind of a hidden secret,” she said. “We have great neighborhood leaders, but we need more on-ramps for people to get involved. That’s what this ambassador program is about.”
In addition to leadership development, Hutch Rec also partners with the City of Hutchinson on initiatives like the Block by Block program, which offers financial incentives for home improvement projects.
Through that program, residents in targeted areas can be reimbursed for up to 50% of eligible curb appeal improvements, up to $1,500, when they complete projects alongside neighbors.
Gilliland said the goal is to spark visible investment that encourages others to follow suit.
“We know investment grows,” she said. “When one neighbor makes improvements, it inspires others to do the same.”
Looking ahead, Hutch Rec plans to focus on strengthening the current neighborhoods before expanding the initiative further.
Residents interested in getting involved or learning more can attend one of the upcoming information sessions, contact Hutch Rec directly, or reach out to Gilliland by phone or email.
“We want people to feel empowered to make changes in their neighborhoods,” Gilliland said. “This is about building stronger, more connected communities across Hutchinson.”