CITY OF NEWTON
Newton has been awarded $507,934 in Community Development Block Grant funding for improvements to Themian Park.
The grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce will help fund new basketball courts, pickleball courts, a restroom, open shelter and lighting.
As part of the required local match, the City of Newton will pay for the extension of water and sewer lines and the concrete pad for the restroom. The Newton Recreation Commission has pledged $100,000 for the pickleball courts, and the Railer Foundation has committed another $100,000. The total project cost is estimated at $892,980.
The Newton City Commission will consider the grant contract at its Oct. 27 meeting.
Themian Park, located at Seventh and Poplar in downtown Newton, has historical significance as the city’s first park, established in 1875. Originally known as West Park, it was renamed in 1899 after the Themian Club, the city’s first women’s civic group that once took responsibility for its upkeep.
The park is owned by the City and leased to the school district for student use during PE and recess. The Rec Commission provides maintenance and hosts youth sports activities in the park.
In 2025, the Railer Foundation, a volunteer group of youth sports parents, introduced a plan for improvements and additions to the park, funded primarily by private fundraising and grants. Planned future phases of improvements will include baseball/wiffleball fields and an urban soccer field. The City and the Railer Foundation continue to pursue other grants to fund future phases.
CDBG funding is designed to assist rural communities with projects that improve community services and quality of life and primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents. This is Newton’s first CDBG award since the 2021 COVID funding for local businesses and the 2001 renovation of Lincoln School into apartments.