Clarification: The original version of this story called Tuesday's meeting a special meeting. City staff later emailed to say it is a study session. Comments by Bagwell, though related to skateboarding, were about some smaller projects that might also be possible in addition to the Fun Valley site.
By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 in the City Council Chambers for a study session. The meeting is to discuss the future use of the former Fun Valley waterslide site. This came forward as part of a larger discussion at last Tuesday's meeting prompted by council member Sara Bagwell.
"That is something that definitely came out through our master plan project process is, we're kind of missing the kids that are too old to play on a playground, but not old enough to go out and drive and do their own thing," said Director of Parks and Facilities Justin Combs. "Really, the recommendation was to look into those adventure-type sports. The opportunity I see for that in the near future is the Fun Valley waterslide site."
Bagwell said such a thing doesn't have to be big to be effective. She believes there can even be something small at some of the city's other parks, like Brookside Park.
"When I was a kid, people would just make, like a box, you know, that they would drag around with them," Bagwell said. "That way they could go on to the box, off of the box, have a rail, and it would be amazed at just something so small that's just there. Then, that way, they're not, I know we don't have it too bad here about going on parking lots and damaging commercial business areas, but I have several skateboarders around my neighborhood."
The waterslide site is the only item on the Tuesday agenda, though Combs expressed support for the smaller park ideas, as well.