“Building Community, Connection, & Wellness
Year ending December 31, 2025
OUR MISSION
“Creating recreational opportunities by providing innovative programs, cultivating spaces, and fostering partnerships that strengthen our community. ”
OUR BOARD
The Baldwin City Recreation Commission Board provides leadership, oversight, and long-term vision for our organization. Their commitment to transparency, strategic growth, and community involvement ensures that our programs and facilities reflect the needs and values of Baldwin City residents. The Board’s guidance played a central role in finalizing our Strategic Plan update and supporting the continued expansion of opportunities across all areas of recreation
Chad Dick
Brenna
Lesley Nellor
Katrina Temple
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR
To the Baldwin City Community,
It is my pleasure to present the Baldwin City Recreation Commission’s Annual Report, highlighting a year defined by growth, momentum, and strengthened community connections. With 2025 marking our first full year in the newly renovated Community Center, we have been energized by the possibilities this space has opened for programs, partnerships, and engagement.
This year brought several major milestones for our organization. We welcomed new staff, introduced new events and programs, and we completed and unveiled a fully updated Strategic Plan a plan which now guides our priorities, decision-making, and long-term vision. Implementation of this plan began immediately in June, and we have already seen positive progress.
Our events and programs continue to grow in both quality and participation. In July, we set a new attendance record at our Independence Day celebration 10,200 people a tremendous reflection of the support and pride of our community Whether in youth leagues, fitness classes, senior activities, special events, or family programs, Baldwin City residents continue to show up, get involved, and help create a thriving and inclusive recreation culture
The following report provides a detailed look at our year: the work of our Board, updates on facilities, highlights across our programs and services, recognition of our sponsors, and a clear view “by the numbers” of participation, revenues, and expenditures. We are proud to share how your support is translated into meaningful impact throughout the community.
Thank you for your involvement, your feedback, and your continued trust in the Baldwin City Recreation Commission. Together, we are building a healthier, more connected, and more vibrant Baldwin City one program, one partnership, and one moment at a time.
With appreciation,
Matt McClure DIRECTOR
FACILITIES
Our facilities continue to serve as the foundation of recreational life in Baldwin City. With 2025 marking our first full year in the renovated Community Center, we have expanded program offerings and seen daily usage increase substantially. The Sports Complex and Sullivan Square remain vital hubs for leagues, events, and community gatherings. The Municipal Pool continues to provide summertime recreation for families and youth. Ongoing facility improvements, maintenance, and strategic planning support our mission to provide safe, accessible, and high-quality spaces for all.
COMMUNITY CENTER
The Community Center serves as the headquarters for BCRC and hosts a wide variety of activities: open recreation, after-school time (“Play Your Way”), walking laps, pickleball, volleyball, senior programming, and general rentals
The gym is equipped for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball and features a retractable batting cage; the facility also offers a golf/soccer simulator, game room (with gaming console), and a meeting room used for small group gatherings or private rentals
The full first year in the renovated building allowed for expanded programming and rentals not only for BCRC, but for other local businesses and organizations
MUNICIPAL POOL
The pool remains a community summer hub, providing swim lessons, lap swim, public swim, water aerobics, and special event rentals as well as a home base for our local swim team, the Baldwin City Barracudas
Water slide, diving board, zero-depth entry, 25-meter lap lanes, and shaded/concession areas make this a family-favorite recreation option
The pool was updated with a new basin surface and new floor surface in the pool house prior to the 2025 season, improving both staff and customer experience
SPORTS COMPLEX SULLIVAN SQUARE
The Sports Complex continue to support youth and adult sports leagues, tournaments, and community events (around sports, festivals, concerts, etc.)
The Complex saw roughly 37,500 people visit for games and/or tournaments between August ‘24-August ‘25
Sullivan Square hosts community‑wide outdoor events and gatherings, including concerts, celebrations, cornhole tournaments, farmer’s markets, and more
The Square features in several BCRC events, including Smoke on the Bricks, Thunder on the Bricks, Sundays at Six, Customer Appreciation, and our Summer Camp Talent Show
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Our programs span generations, interests, and activity levels — reflecting the diverse needs of the Baldwin City community.
SPORTS (YOUTH & ADULT)
Youth sports benefited greatly this year under the new supervision of Recreation Supervisor Matthew Garber, who j our team in April of 2025. We expanded our offerings, hosting 2 golf simulator tournaments alongside the Master’s and The Open and fielding our first Female Flag Football team.
To date, we offer 37 youth sports and adult leagues and partner with Baker University, USD 348, and the Baldwin Golf Association to provide further options to engage residents of all ages.
26 TRIPS/EVENTS 932 PARTICIPATIONS
58 HOLIDAY BRUNCH ATTENDEES
Our senior programs remain a cornerstone of inclusive recreation. In 2025 we continued offering regular activities including twice-weekly Cards, monthly social gatherings like Coffee and Donuts at the Community Center and “Pitch & Snacks” nights at the local library. Our 50+ Program participated in approximately 23 trips and events; favorites included trips to New Theatre, Lunch Bunch outings, and Beginner Pickleball. Our annual Holiday Brunch was our largest yet, with nearly 60 attendees.
FITNESS & OPEN GYM
The Community Center provides fitness opportunities yearround, including Open Rec time (basketball, pickleball, volleyball), walking hours, golf/soccer simulator usage, and more.
We provide monthly fitness classes throughout the year as well as seasonal Water Aerobics and Lap Swim at the Pool and Dog Days at Liston Stadium.
YOUTH SERVICES & ENRICHMENT
From free after-school open recreation (“Play Your Way”) and preschool Maple Buds to paid childcare services throughout the school year and summer, BCRC is committed to providing children safe, structured, and fun opportunities during out-ofschool time.
Childcare: Before/After School Programs & Summer Camp
60 Child Capacity | Full With Waitlist
Located at the Intermediate Center, our Before/After School and Summer Camp Programs blend fun and education with a safe, supportive environment for students K-5 grade. th Offerings range from supplementary care during the school year to full-time childcare for 10 weeks during the summer. In all youth service programs, our staff engages with the children through a variety of activities that foster fitness, creativity, health, and STEM as well as social and emotional learning.
Parents Night Out
Offered free of charge, thanks to the 2024 Be Well Grant 35 Participants Maple Buds Free preschool indoor playground time @ Community Center 349 Check-Ins
Adopt
-
A-Child
Provided Christmas gifts to families in need in our community 62 Children
Connection. Consistency. Compassion.
Our special events continue to grow, fostering community spirit and drawing large crowds. In addition to setting a new record attendance at Independence Day, we broke records at Thunder on the Bricks Class Car Show (attendance), Smoke on the Bricks (attendance, number of teams, and states represented), and Breakfast with Santa (attendance). We added a new Special Event, Tacos and Tequila, in partnership with the Baldwin Education Foundation and were proud to host the Kansas City Orchestra’s Mobile Music Box during our summer concert series, Sundays at Six. Our Special Events reflect our commitment to build community, connection, and wellness in every season of the year.
2025 AT A GLANCE
SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Our work is made stronger through the support of our sponsors and community partners. Their contributions help sustain programs, enhance events, improve facilities, and expand what is possible for our staff and participants. We are grateful for their investment in recreation and in the well‑being of Baldwin City. Partnerships with local businesses, civic groups, and organizations are essential to our success, and we proudly recognize the important role they play in serving our community.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
3G Self Storage
Ad Astra Alpacas
Ajuua #2
Amplify Life Center (formerly
Rodrock Chiropractic)
Around To It Home Repair
Arrowhead Hardware
Ausherman Farms
Baldwin City Beer Company
Baldwin City Dental
Baldwin City Distillery
Baldwin City Made/Great Plains Promotions
Baldwin City Market
Baldwin City Municipal
Government
Baldwin Feed Co
Baldwin Lions Club
Baldwin State Bank
Bert Nash Center
Brubaker’s Construction
BTSK Excavating
Cody Anno State Farm
Companion Animal Hospital
El Patron
Emily Ferguson, Realtor (Pay
No Rent Realty)
Four County Monuments
Fully Promoted
Gambino’s
Hayden Outdoors Real Estate
Heritage Tractor
Hilltop Animal Health
Hometown Construction
Homestead Kitchen & Bakery
Integrity Midwest Insurance
Julie Krische American Family
Insurance
Kanmoco
Kansas State Bank
Keller Williams – Casey
Simoneau
Kelly Neufeld Farm Bureau
Kelsey’s Auto Detailing
Kim Hower & Associates
American Family
LMNT
Loyd Builders
Maley & Sons Construction
Mid-America Bank
Mountrax
NAPA
One Choice Heating and Air
Palmyra Masonic Lodge
Price Chopper
Prime Motorsports
Reece Nichols
Rice Precision Manufacturing
Scheels
Scott Temperature
SGP Lawn & Landscape
Southern Star Central Gas
Pipeline
The Dentists in Lawrence
The Town Galleria
Tim Versch
Wooden Spoke
GENERAL FUND REVENUES
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
STRATEGIC PLAN
BCRC underwent a Strategic Plan Update in 2025. Building upon the previous Strategic Plan from 2019, this plan is intended to guide BCRC for the next several years as we grow, ensuring that we make informed decisions in line with our core vision and mission statements. As part of this update, BCRC underwent a benchmark comparison with other local recreation commissions; staff, community, and board focus groups; and a demographic and recreation trends analysis in order to identify the goals below for Programming, Finances, and Operations and Management.
UPDATED BCRC MISSION STATEMENT
“Creating recreational opportunities by providing innovative programs, cultivating spaces, and fostering partnerships that strengthen our community
. ”
Programming
Expand programming to include a comprehensive range of new and enhanced activities in the areas of Fitness, Health, and Wellness; Community Special Events; Youth and Teen Services, Sports, and Outdoor Adventure
Finances
Expand BCRC's financial management practices and tools to ensure efficient resource allocation, enhance cost recovery, and support the expansion of recreational programming and facilities
Operations and Management
Expand the organizational capacity of BCRC
Pursue sustainable and innovative facility solutions
Cultivate organizational stability and effective management
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Susie Martin was awarded the 2025 KRPA Distinguished Volunteer Award at the annual KRPA Conference and Trade Show. Susie contributes over 150 volunteer hours annually to BCRC, bringing unmatched energy, enthusiasm, and a heart for service to each event.
BCRC won KRPA’s 7 annual Social Media Photo Contest with a snapshot from the hot dog eating contest at our 2024 annual Independence Day Celebration The winning photo graced the cover of 2025's KRPA Today th
Facilities Supervisor Jay King celebrated 10 years with BCRC in August 2025. Jay oversees all facilities, equipment, and setup/teardown for BCRC’s many activities, events, and programs, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Director Matt McClure was elected President of Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA) This three-year term features one year as incoming President and Conference planning chair, one year as active President, and one year as outgoing President.
BCRC was awarded Best Community Event at the Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet for our annual Independence Day Celebration. These awards are nominated by community members, with winners decided by a committee.
Assistant Director Trevor Smith earned his Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification, This places him in an elite group of professionals committed to advancing the Park and Recreation field
TESTIMONIALS
