Warner Memorial Park Master Plan Draft

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan 2019

DRAFT: October 16, 2019

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WARNER MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PL AN Prepared by: Manhattan Parks and Recreation

DRAFT Issued: October 16, 2019

Acknowledgments City Commission Mike Dodson, Mayor Usha Reddi, Mayor Pro-tem Wynn Butler Jerred McKee Linda Morse

Parks & Recrea on Advisory Board Ed Klimek, Chair Mark Bachamp, Vice-chair Darell Edie Dave Schafer Sue Maes Marcia Rozell David Colburn Jurdene Coleman (term expired) Elaine Johannes (term expired)

City of Manha an Sta Eddie Eastes, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recrea on Wya Thompson, PLA, ASLA, CPSI, Assistant Director - co-author Alfonso Leyva, Assoc. ASLA, CPSI, Park Planner - lead author August Titus, Intern Park Planner - concept graphics Spencer Sanders, Intern Park Planner - concept graphics Manha an Parks and Recrea on sta led this master plan study. This plan would not be possible without input from hundreds of Manha an residents who par cipated in this planning process. Thank you for engaging with us online, at Warner Memorial Park, and around the community.

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: Introduc on CHAPTER 2: History

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CHAPTER 3: Exis ng Features, Condi ons, and Uses

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CHAPTER 4: Concept Development

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CHAPTER 5: Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

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CHAPTER 6: Conclusion

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Appendices

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Warner Memorial Park is an 89-acre natural area park in the southwest quadrant of the City. The parkland is owned by the City of Manha an.

80 acres was acquired through land dona ons and purchase in 1957. The park was dedicated and opened in 1959. The park is largely undeveloped and in a natural state. Exis ng park ameni es include mowed pathways and natural surface trails, including the historic Military Trail, and two park shelters. A 9-hole disc golf course was constructed in 2010.

Memorial Park be managed to allow only minimal development to maintain the open character of the Park and recommended a new vehicular access point from Shuss Road, addi on of two restrooms, parking and picnic shelter improvements, management of invasive red cedars, and improved signage. SigniďŹ cant recommenda ons from this plan that have not been accomplished include construc on of permanent restrooms and reloca on of the west parking lot.

Since the City acquired Warner Memorial Park, several master plans (1966, 1978, 1987, 1992, 2002) have recommended changes or addi onal ameni es be added to the Park. The most recent 10-year master plan was prepared by City of Manha an sta in 2002. This planning process involved community input and mul ple work sessions with the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board. The Plan recommended that Warner

In 2015, a cursory review of the Park was completed as part of the Parks and Recrea on Strategic Facility Improvement Plan (SFIP). The SFIP concurred with the 2002 master plan that the Park should remain primarily a natural area and recommended an updated Park master plan be prepared to further inves gate passive recrea on opportuni es.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

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Warner Memorial Park Situated in the southwestern part of Manha an, Warner Memorial Park is surrounded by residen al and commercial development, yet offers one of the largest expanses of undeveloped open space in the community. Naturalized wooded areas, open space, and select na ve prairie grass areas are the primary a ributes of this Park. With the excep on of two covered shelters and some road improvements, this Park has been le mostly undeveloped. Exis ng features include open prairie, hiking trails, a cross-country course used by the school district, and a 9-hole disc golf course. The gravel parking lots and shelters do not have ligh ng. This was inten onal to deter use of the Park a er

Figure 1: Exis ng condi ons at Warner Memorial Park.

dusk. A stormwater reten on pond is located on the northwest corner of Warner Memorial Park.

Vehicular access to the Park is limited through the main gate off of Warner Park Road and the disc golf parking lot off Shuss Road. The gravel parking lot off of Warner Park Road can accommodate 15-20 vehicles, while the gravel parking lot off of Shuss Road can fit approximately 10-12 vehicles. In certain circumstances, special arrangements are made for larger groups through the Manha an Parks and Recrea on Department. Walk-in access is also possible from three neighborhood trails: Cherry Hills, EJ Frick, and Miller Ranch.

Why Update the Warner Memorial Park Master Plan?

The last master plan for Warner Memorial Park was adopted in 2002. At that me, a Ten-Year Plan was developed which detailed a maintenance strategy for the Park. The Parks and Recrea on Strategic Facility Improvement Plan (SFIP 2015) recommended upda ng the master plan for the Park. Soon a er, the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board (PRAB) recommended City Staff update the master plan for Warner Memorial Park. City Commission goals iden fied the development and implementa on of a Warner Memorial Park Master Plan as a priority in 2018/2019.

From 2009 through 2016, PRAB mee ng minutes record Warner Memorial Park as a topic 18 mes. Of those 18 occasions, 11 men on disc golf. On September 14, 2009, PRAB approved the 9-hole course.

According to DGcoursereview.com, the current disc golf course is ranked 13th in the Na on as a 9-hole course. In December 2012, the PRAB was in favor of adding another 9-holes to the exi ng course. They saw the expansion of the disc golf as an asset to Warner Memorial Park.

The Director of Parks & Rec at the me, Curt Loupe, stated that Warner Memorial Park needed a master plan before moving forward on the expansion.

In August of 2016, during the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) discussions for 2017, City Staff recommended professional services to develop a Warner Memorial Park Master Plan. The City Commission approved the CIP project to be funded with surplus Economic Development Funds totaling $45,000. An addi onal $15,000 was allocated from EcoDevo for implementa on of the plan’s priority improvements.

Periodically, through 2016 and 2017, Manha an residents approached the City Commission in the Public Comments por on of the mee ngs to express their interest in expanding the disc golf course at Warner Memorial Park.

On October 18, 2016, the City Commission tabled a consent agenda item to adver se a Request for Qualifica ons for Professional Services to develop a Warner Memorial Park Master Plan. Commissioners cited the cost to hire a consultant and expressed concerns about using Economic Development funds, as proposed in the 2017 Capital Improvement Program. At this me, a majority of Commissioners expressed their support to expand the disc golf course. The City Commission directed staff to reach out to Kansas State University for possible joint ventures in preparing a Warner Memorial Park Master Plan.

Figure 2: Exis ng disc golf basket and surrounding landscape.

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CHAPTER 2: HISTORY This chapter provides a brief history of Warner Memorial Park. This informa on is sourced from City Commission minutes, Park Board minutes, newspaper ar cles from The Manha an Mercury and The Manha an Republic, le ers, previous park master plans, and other related documents.

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Park Acquisi on and Planning: 1957-1959 The City of Manha an acquired 80 acres of land in 1957, which was dedicated as Warner Memorial Park. The parkland was acquired through a combina on dona on/purchase from Kern and Bessie Warner. In May of 1957, the City Commission accepted “approximately forty acres of ground as a gi to the City for park purposes” from Kern and Bessie Warner. Warner also offered a second tract of 40 acres for sale if the community could raise funds in 60 days. A public campaign to raise funds began at the end of May. The public contributed funds for the City to purchase the land and surpassed the amount needed by July.

The Park Board announced that Warner intended to donate 10 acres of the 40 up for sale in memory of Meda Warner, his first wife, and that Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Shuss would donate 3 acres for new entrances to the Park. By September, the public fundraising was completed and the City Commission approved Warner Memorial Park as the official park name.

The land contract s pulated that if a total of $1,500 per year for three years was spent by the City on park development, improvement and maintenance of Warner Memorial Park, the Warners agreed to contribute another $1,000 in cash for further improvement and maintenance of the Park.

Planning the new park began immediately. At a Park Board mee ng in October of 1957, City Manager Wesche reported that the plan was for the area to be a natural park for unorganized play – as natural and rus c as possible - and that the plan was to keep roads to a minimum. Mr. Wesche suggested historical markers for the Leavenworth-Fort Riley trail, which goes through the Park.

Figure 3: Exis ng signage at southwest entrance.

Figure 4: History of Warner Memorial Park.

In November of 1957, L. R. Quinlan, Professor of Landscape Architecture at K-State had 14 students assist him in planning for the new Park. The students' work was presented in January of 1958 and a Park Board subcommi ee was created to find “one basic plan.” More than 100 people a ended a mee ng in February of 1958 held to discuss park and recrea on developments in the area, including an opportunity to view Warner Memorial Park plan concepts prepared by Quinlan’s students. In May of 1958, 1.35 acres were donated from Warner and 0.9 acres from Miller to be put towards a road leading to the Park from the south.

Figure 5: Biographical history of Ken, Meda and Bessie Warner.

Construc on of roads and basic park ameni es began in 1958. Kern Warner was appointed to the Park Board in January of 1959. A field archery range at Warner Memorial Park was completed by members of the Manha an Archery Society in July of 1959.

Park Opens: 1959

Figure 6: 1957 Warner Memorial Park survey boundary.

Figure 7: 1966 Warner Memorial Park Master Plan.

In August of 1959, a dedica on ceremony was held for Warner Memorial Park. The City Manager reported that the master plan for the development of Warner Memorial Park provided the following: 2 shelter houses, 11 concrete tables, 11 fireplaces, 11 waste receptacles, 4 restrooms – 2 each site, 2 wells, and 2 lookouts – observa on points.

The archery range was sanc oned by the Na onal Field Archery Associa on in August as well.

In September, Manha an garden clubs (Women’s Club) started working on a proposal to further develop Warner Memorial Park. The Women’s Club presented their proposal at the November Park Board mee ng and suggested pu ng funds towards comple ng roads, sinking two wells, landscaping, building shelters, restrooms, fireplaces, a bridge, an observa on tower, playground and a baseball diamond. Throughout 1959, a new shelter house, eight new concrete picnic tables, and two new restrooms in the Scout Area were constructed. Part of the road system along with three parking areas were constructed with the 891 Engineering Ba alion of the Na onal Guard providing the trucks and men to haul the crushed rock surfacing material.

Park Development and Use: 1960-1969

Figure 8: 1978 Warner Memorial Park Master Plan.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Throughout the 1960s, Warner Memorial Park was used extensively as a picnic ground. Ar cles appeared rou nely in the Manha an Mercury throughout the year documen ng various clubs, families, or groups who held a picnic at the park. In January of 1960, a mo on by the Park Board was carried to officially designate a ‘picnic ball diamond.’ In June, City Manager Wesche reported that the contract to spend $1,500 annually on Park improvements for three years had been fulfilled. A total of $7,856 was spent the first two years and $3,700 in 1960. The Sertoma Club had matched the City's $1,500 annually for the three years, just as they had done at Sunset Park.

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In 1963, the Mercury printed a series of ar cles about hos ng a good picnic, and adver sements extolled the virtues of Warner Memorial Park as a fine picnic area. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts frequented the Park o en as well. In May of 1963, a proposal to blacktop the roads in the Park was deemed too big of an undertaking for the Sertoma Club.

Construc on of new homes began along the south and north sides of the park. The Comprehensive Outdoor Recrea on Plan made in June of 1966 included a Capital Improvement Plan for the Park that planned to install water mains, construct 3 toilet facili es, addi onal picnic facili es, surface parking lots and roads with asphal c concrete overlay for a total of $51,000 to be spent on Park improvements. By the late1960s, public a en on was turned toward CiCo Park and development of new athle c facili es there.

Park Development and Use: 1970-1979 During the 1970s, Warner Memorial Park was viewed with renewed interest as a site for recrea on including cross country. Numerous proposals were made for addi onal recrea on ameni es to serve a growing popula on as new home construc on con nued in areas around Warner Memorial Park. The Girl Scouts con nued to use the Park for ac vi es throughout the decade. Public no ces for picnics were less frequent during this period than in previous years.

Park Development and Use: 1980-1989 In the early 1980s, news clippings about Warner Memorial Park focused on cross country events, homes for sale around the Park, and development of Cherry Hills Estates. In 1987, a Landscape Architecture student prepared a master plan. She conducted a survey with Park neighbors and suggested construc on of a nature center, nature trail, restrooms, playground, cross country trails, and Boy Scout camp area.

The old restrooms were demolished and le in the ravine. Later in the decade, growing concerns about crime in the Park led to changes.

Park Development and Use: 1990-1999 The 1990s saw the Park closed to vehicular traffic and a significant community discussion about access and use of the parkland ensued.

Parks and Recrea on hosted numerous public mee ngs and discussions with the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board and the City Commission.

Kern Warner’s grandson, Bill Warner, and Don Parrish, a friend of Kern’s, advocated for what they believed what Kern Warner would have wanted for the Park: to be used by the greater Manha an community.

A group of neighborhood residents, concerned about a history of par es and illegal ac vity in the Park, wanted to limit access to prevent those kind of ac vi es from occurring again. In the summer of 1996, Jason Meier, Park Planner Intern, prepared “Warner Memorial Park Master Plan” concept drawings. In September of 1996, the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board discussed short and long range goals for the Park. Long range goals included improving the shelters, controlling erosion on the roadways and parking lots, reclaiming the Park boundaries, and developing a plan for Park uses for the community. Short term goals included removing damaged concrete picnic tables, fire pits, old posts, and trees. In December 1996, 5.03 acres were annexed into the Park during development of Miller Ranch subdivision. During construc on, a reten on pond was created to handle stormwater runoff.

Park Development and Use: 2000-Present The 2000s saw con nued interest in Warner Memorial Park with prepara on of a new 10-Year Plan, development of the Old Military Trail, and addi on of a 9-hole disc golf course. The City also worked with adjacent land owners to remove a variety of private structures and other property from the Park. Interest in expanding the disc golf course to 18-holes started in 2012. In the spring of 2018, Landscape Architecture students from the LAR320 studio at Kansas State University created master plan concepts for the Park and presented their visions for the park at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in April.

Figure 9: Old Military Trail and Boy Scout Trail intersec on.

Figure 10: Old Military Trail memorial markers.

Figure 11: Old Military Trail entrance o of Shuss Road.

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CHAPTER 3: EXISTING FEATURES, CONDITIONS, AND USES This chapter of the master plan provides a brief overview of the exis ng features, condi ons, and current uses of Warner Memorial Park.

Understanding these three items at the Park was an important step in developing design concepts. The Park is used by the community for hiking, walking, and trail running; wildlife and bird watching; disc golf; and other passive recrea on opportuni es.

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Exis ng Features and Condi ons Warner Memorial Park contains a similar aesthe c seen throughout the Flint Hills of Kansas. A majority of the Park is vegetated with a mixture of na ve open prairie, which is typically hayed annually in July or August, and surrounded at the periphery with wooded areas. Specific areas of the Park are regularly mowed prairie to accommodate trails, cross country, and disc golf.

Features include: •

Two gravel parking lots which can accommodate 20-25 total vehicles.

The gravel lots appear to weather well and do not require maintenance very o en.

•

Vehicular access is restricted by a gate at the southwest parking lot.

The community can check-out a key at the Parks & Rec office to open the gate and enter the Park.

•

Two exis ng shelters can be found in the Park, one in the center of the Park and another near the 9-hole disc golf course. According to reserva on records, the shelters have not been reserved in the last three years. The shell of a third shelter can be found on the northern part of the Park.

•

Numerous trails can be found within Warner Memorial Park, both rogue and official trails. Erosion can be an issue, par cularly on steep slopes and areas adjacent to the roadway.

Figure 12: Remnants of an old shelter on the north side of the Park.

Figure 13: Southwest entrance of Warner Memorial Park.

Figure 14: Shelters and benches on the east side of the Park.

Figure 15: Exis ng trail erosion.

Warner Memorial Park: 1950s & 2018 Tree Coverage Comparison An aerial image from the 1950s was analyzed and the tree coverage was digitally extracted to scale (light green below). Visual inspec on of the 1950s image appears to show mostly hardwood vegeta on in the ravines. The extracted layer was imposed on an aerial image from 2018 for comparison.

The 2018 image was taken during the winter, when the hardwoods lose their leaves. This image clearly shows where the invasive eastern red cedar has taken over in the Park. If le unchecked, the red cedar popula on could expand in the prairie areas of Warner Memorial Park. Park crews currently mi gate the overgrowth of red cedars through haying prac ces and plan to con nue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Legend Park Boundary (2018) 1950s Tree Coverage Figure 16: 1950's and 2018 invasive tree coverage comparison.

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Trails Numerous trails currently exist inside Warner Memorial Park, in various capaci es. OďŹƒcial trails include the "8 Weeks Trail", "Scouts Trail", and the "Old Military Trail". During the warmer months, the cross country route is mowed once a month. Rogue trails have been developed by many individuals over the years, including many "fall line" trails. These trails are suscep ble to erosion. There are also a number of well-worn natural foot paths on the east side of the Park as a result of the exis ng 9-hole disc golf course. Park maintenance crews have implemented a fall herbicide treatment to combat the invasive honeysuckle to keep desired pathways cleared.

Figure 18: EJ Frick trailhead.

Figure 19: Exis ng condi ons along Boy Scout Trail.

Figure 17: Steps facing south on the Old Military Trail.

Figure 20: Exis ng condi ons along 8 Weeks Trail.

Warner Park Usage Study In September of 2017, the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organiza on (FHMPO) and the City conducted trail counts in key loca ons throughout Warner Memorial Park. The counters were able to track how many people traveled through the Park and recorded day-to-day usage pa erns. The data collected is conveyed in the image below, showing the average users per day during the two week study.

Figure 21: Warner Memorial Park trail counts.

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Cross Country Course In the early 1970's, the K-State and Manha an High Cross Country teams began using Warner Memorial Park as a prac ce site. In September of 1975, Manha an High Cross Country hosted their ďŹ rst high school invita onal at the Park. The high school and middle school host 3 events a year. Prac ce occurs once or twice a week between June and October. Park maintenance crews mow the course once a month during the warmer months. The footprint of the course is approximately 34 acres on the west side of the Park and is 3.1 miles long. The course is also usable by the public as mowed walking paths.

Figure 23: Manha an High School Cross Country runners at the Park.

Figure 22: Manha an High School Cross Country route on the western half of Warner Memorial Park.

Figure 24: Manha an High School Cross Country meet at the Park.

Disc Golf In September of 2009, the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board (PRAB) recommended the construc on of a 9-hole disc golf course in the eastern meadow of Warner Memorial Park. The local disc golf club worked with Parks & Rec to raise funds and install baskets and tee pads. The 9-hole disc golf course is the only disc golf course within Manha an city limits. The Li le Apple Disc Golf Club holds weekly league play and various events from March through November at the Park. Park maintenance crews mow the eastern meadow every three to four weeks during the warmer months. The current footprint of the disc golf course is approximately 10 acres. According to dgcoursereview.com, the 9-hole disc golf course at Warner Memorial Park is ranked 13th in the na on.

Figure 26: Exis ng disc golf course fairway and basket at hole #1.

Figure 25: Exis ng disc golf course tee and fairway at hole #2.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Figure 27: Exis ng 9-hole disc golf course layout at the Park.

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CHAPTER 4: CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT The master plan process engaged Manha an residents throughout the community to assess their needs and desired improvements for the Park.

Sta u lized a community survey, a neighborhood focus group, a Kansas State University Landscape Architecture Studio, neighborhood mee ngs, advisory boards, and the City Commission to solicit ideas and feedback.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Using the informa on collected through the public engagement process and considering exis ng condi ons/uses, mul ple conceptual layouts for the Park were developed. The following chapter explores the concepts developed during the design phase.

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Figure 28: Public engagement dates throughout the Warner Memorial Park Master Plan process.

2017 Warner Memorial Park Neighborhood Survey In February 2017, Parks and Recrea on Staff released a survey inquiring about the uses of Warner Memorial Park and what the community wants to see in the Park. Overall, the results showed that the Park is a place people go to experience nature. Eighty percent of those who responded stated that it was important or very important to maintain as na ve prairie. Trails and restrooms rated highest when asked about priority improvements. Playgrounds, Dog Park, and expanded Disc Golf were supported by those users, but were not a priority for most others. When the results were published, the disc golf community felt the survey was not properly distributed to encompass the greater community such as K-State and Ft. Riley, therefore, results were low in regards to priori zing the disc golf expansion.

concerns about communica on and priori za on of disc golf by the Parks & Rec Department. The mee ng discussed the possibility of a commitment to disc golf in the Park master plan and to help grow the sport in the community. As an exis ng Park use, disc golf would be given considera on in the planning process. A public process would ul mately determine the appropriate mix of uses and areas where different ac vi es could occur. The LADGC men oned assis ng Staff by engaging in stakeholder mee ngs, a ending public forums, and interac ng with student presenta ons. LADGC indicated their support for hiring a professional disc golf designer to create more buzz for the expansion of the course and ensure a safe, quality course layout.

LAR 320 Studio In October 2016, the City Commission requested City Administra on collaborate with Kansas State University in an effort to generate design concepts for Warner Memorial Park. On December 1, 2017, the City entered into an agreement with Kansas State University for development of Warner Memorial Park master plan concepts. The agreement indicated that students in LAR320, a 2nd-year landscape architecture studio, would prepare up to nine conceptual designs for the Park. To introduce the students to the project, City Staff facilitated a site visit to the Park on February 19, 2018. A stakeholder mee ng was held at City Hall on February 21, 2018, with representa ves from surrounding neighborhoods, high school and K-State Cross Country, the local disc golf club, and the Conven on and Visitor’s Bureau. Students presented their final conceptual design proposals at an open house public mee ng on April 14, 2018 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The student's work can be reviewed in detail at MHKRPD.com.

Li le Apple Disc Golf In November 2017, City Staff held a mee ng with representa ves from the Li le Apple Disc Golf Club (LADGC). The LADGC presented their

Figure 29: LAR320 studio site visit to the Park with City Staff.

A New Link: Kastasya Jackson & Eric Herbel

Coalesce: Paden Chesney & Rainie Madsen

Disc Golf Central: Madelyn Cole & James Ryan

Discover: Hannah Brown & Grant Pasowicz

Expedition: Seth Campbell & Haley Weinbergg

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Exploring Warner: Ashley Akers & Nick Ferrara

The Place to Play: Mikala Fitzgerald & Julia Kappelman

A Family Park: Samantha Myers & Lena Wells

Activate: August Titus & Jessie Carmichael

Figure 30: LAR320 student open house at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.

Figure 31: LAR320 students engaging the community about Warner Memorial Park.

"Aroma c Sumac" and "Blue Sage" With comple on of the student's concepts, City Staff developed two master plan concepts, "Aroma c Sumac" and "Blue Sage," based on student ideas and public feedback. The process included opportuni es for public input through City Advisory Board mee ngs and mul ple public engagements. The first neighborhood mee ng was at Warner Memorial Park on July 12, 2018 and the second was at the Flint Hills Discovery Center on July 19, 2018. City Staff mailed postcards to residents within 500 feet of the park, emailed various neighborhood groups/stakeholders, and adver sed on social media. Around 43 ci zens a ended the first mee ng and 29 on the second, consis ng of neighbors of the park and disc golf supporters.

The Aroma c Sumac Concept proposes improved trail connec ons, restrooms, nature educa on ac vi es, expansion of the disc golf

course across the ravine, and improved parking that is considerate of the na ve prairie. The proposed visitors center and nature play area are located next to the south parking lot for easy access. Restrooms would be located inside the visitors center. The proposed nature play area would allow children to experience nature in a controlled environment.

The proposed overlook could provide views to the surrounding area and doubles as a shelter. Ac vi es such as bird watching and star gazing could occur there. Cross country and disc golf events could use the overlook and amphitheater as a check in sta on during events. The proposed amphitheater could be used as an outdoor classroom, yoga terrace, outdoor concert venue, grass sea ng, and a gathering space.

The overlook and amphitheater provides the opportunity to cut down invasive red cedar trees in the Park. The educa on pond proposes a dock with signs to teach visitors about aqua c ecosystems. A proposed dog park located in a shaded area could give owners a place to take

AROMATIC SUMAC

Figure 32: Aroma c Sumac Concept developed in June 2018.

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their dogs oďŹ&#x20AC; leash. Separate areas for both small and big dogs would include play equipment, water fountains, and waste receptacles.

Rockery gardens are proposed as an aesthe c way to control erosion.

The proposed gardens would also allow Park users easier access up and down the ravine. Two bridges are proposed to cross the ravine and join the two halves of the Park. The bridges would allow Park users to access the other side of the ravine and could be incorporated into trail loops.

A crosswalk on Shuss Rd and a trail down to Seth Child Commons is proposed on the eastern border of the Park. This new trail could be a possible addi on to the Manha an trail system. The trail could also provide access through the Park for the residents on the west side of Warner Memorial Park.

The Blue Sage Concept proposes improved trail connec ons, restrooms, nature educa on ac vi es, increased parking, expansion of the disc golf course across the ravine, and increased ADA accessibility. The proposed

BLUE SAGE

Figure 33: Blue Sage Concept developed in June 2018.

parking lot would add 34 parking spaces to the Park. The road would allow ADA access further into the Park. The parking lot could allow event parking for the nearby pavilion. The proposed grassland pavilion is a shelter with restrooms. The pavilion could be a rentable space for events including cross country. The proposed boardwalk over the pond would be an aesthe c path that would allow explora on of the water.

The proposed nature playground would be close to the Warner Park Road entrance but out of sight of the surrounding houses. The trees surrounding that area could serve as a sound barrier. The proposed nature playground would allow children to experience nature in a controlled environment while they play. The proposed amphitheater in the ravine would serve as an erosion control measure while allowing easier access into the ravine. Large gatherings, mee ngs, or ac vi es could be held outside. The amphitheater provides the opportunity to cut down some invasive red cedar trees in the Park. A single bridge is

proposed to cross the ravine and join the two halves of the Park. The bridge would allow Park users to access the other side of the ravine and could be incorporated into trail loops.

During the public engagement process, the two concepts were largely opposed by ci zens for various reasons. There were concerns about opening Warner Park Road and building permanent structures on the western half of the Park. The neighbor concerns consisted of visual aesthe cs from their property and a rac ng unwanted use of Park ameni es. Some residents recall when the Park was more accessible in the 1980s. They men oned par es, vandalism, and other illegal ac vity that would occur in the Park. Local residents were concerned that developing the Park would bring back that sort of ac vity.

Concerned ci zens also men oned that the maintenance of trails at Warner Memorial Park was lacking and could use some improvement.

Comments went as far as sta ng that the Park should be le alone without any new ameni es.

There were some ameni es that received posi ve feedback. These ameni es included the trail loop, rockery gardens to control erosion, and the dog park and nature play space tucked within the trees, away from obstruc ng any private property views in to the Park.

At this me, there were not many comments in opposi on to the expansion of the disc golf course. City Staff men oned on mul ple occasions, that the expansion layouts within the two concepts were student designed and would change once a professional disc golf course designer was contracted to consult with City Staff.

Houck Design City Staff adver sed a Request for Proposals for a professional disc golf design on June 1, 2018. Part of the reason to hire a professional designer was to create some buzz for the master plan process, but it was more of an effort to ensure the community would have a worldclass disc golf course that would be safe and appropriate for the Warner Memorial Park. On July 9, 2018, a selec on commi ee, comprised of Parks Staff and Stakeholders, met to review the submissions. The selec on commi ee determined that Houck Design of Aus n, Texas Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

was the most qualified to perform the work requested.

City staff worked with Houck Design to redefine their ini al scope and fee in two phases; preliminary design and final design/implementa on.

During Phase 1, the designer, John Houck, was on site for 12 days for course layout, mee ng(s) with stakeholders/community members, and interac ng with City Staff throughout the design process. The first phase cost $5,000. Houck Design discounted their typical fees by 75% for this project. With Preliminary Design/Rou ng complete, City Staff intended to ini ate the second phase with Houck Design only if the public process dictated moving forward with the project and once sufficient funding was in place to complete the installa on.

Phase 2 would have consisted of internal development of disc golf fairways. The designer would have been on site for approximately 1522 days to mark fairways for clearing in phases on mul ple trips. The consultant’s fee for the second phase would have been $5,000 as well.

Once the disc golf course was complete, Houck Design had proposed to host and market a grand opening tournament to promote the new course.

Between August 9 and 15, 2018, City Staff no fied the community about a neighborhood mee ng for expansion of the disc golf course at Warner Memorial Park. On August 20, 12 people a ended the mee ng with an even mix of local residents and disc golf supporters. Houck Design gave a presenta on on what disc golf is, how it can benefit the greater community, and how John Houck designs courses to work with the natural elements found on site. Neighbors of the Park voiced concerns about expanding the disc golf course to 18-holes. Concerned residents felt that the expansion would ruin the natural aesthe c of the Park.

As part of the effort to further engage the community in the master plan process, City Staff organized an on-site walk with Houck Design.

On August 27, 16 people a ended the event, with most of those present being disc golf supporters; however, a handful of neighbors were present as well. The neighbors voiced similar concerns from the previous mee ng about the aesthe c footprint the expanded disc golf Page 25

course would have on Warner Memorial Park. Houck Design men oned that a majority of the tee pads and baskets would be in wooded areas, out of visual range. John Houck men oned that an effort would be made to keep deciduous trees while the clearing of fairways would consist of removing invasive species such as honeysuckle and eastern red cedar.

Cross Country and Proposed Disc Golf Course In August 2018, Alfonso Leyva, Park Planner, and Casey Smithson, Park Superintendent, met with the Manha an High School (MHS) athle c director and cross country coach to discuss the poten al expansion of the disc golf course and how it would affect the cross country route.

Ini ally, Houck Design inquired about making minor changes to the course in order to create enough of a safety buffer between both ac vi es. A er City Staff talked with MHS, it was clear that the cross country route be maintained in its current posi on and the poten al disc golf course expansion should respect the route and not cross it with fairways. At that me, MHS was fine with the expansion of the disc golf course as long as it would not interfere with the cross country route. City Staff conveyed that informa on to Houck Design and they agreed to design around the exis ng cross country route.

"Coralberry" In August and September 2018, City Staff combined the two concepts into a single concept, "Coralberry," based on community input and advisory board sugges ons. When "Coralberry" was available for public viewing in mid-September, Houck Design had finished Phase 1 of their contract, which involved site analysis and rou ng of the proposed expansion. The proposed layout was incorporated in the Coralberry Concept and City Staff went out to the public for more feedback.

The Coralberry Concept proposed enhancing the trail system at Warner Memorial Park by u lizing trail surface material such as limestone screenings. Entrance, informa onal, and direc onal signage would also be implemented throughout the Park. Residents expressed interest in an area where their dogs could safely run off leash. The dog park would

contain play equipment, dog waste receptacles, and separate areas for large and small dogs. The dog park would not be close to the parking lot but it would be accessible to Parks crews for ease of maintenance.

Rockery gardens provide a func onal and aesthe cally pleasing form of erosion control. City Staff would evaluate exis ng condi ons in the ravine and determine loca ons where implementa on of rockery gardens would be of most benefit.

Trail connec ons was another aspect of the Coralberry Concept.

Residents on the west side of the Park expressed interest in crea ng a pedestrian connec on to the shopping center. The path of least resistance could occur on the northeast side, near the parking lot on Shuss Road. There is exis ng sidewalk about 200 feet from the Park property. This concept proposes a short sidewalk segment along Shuss Road to complete this gap.

A nature playground was another amenity that received posi ve feedback. Residents were recep ve about the playspace being close to the entrance but s ll out of sight, tucked within the wooded area. This playspace would allow children to experience nature in a controlled environment. The playground would include a variety of play types for both preschool and elementary aged children.

A key aspect of this concept explores the possibility of connec ng the two por ons of the Park through a pedestrian bridge. The bridge would also help complete the trail loop around Warner Memorial Park.

An amenity that has been sought a er at the Park since 2012, is the expansion of the disc golf course to 18-holes. The local disc golf community is interested in a third official 18-hole course that would allow Manha an the opportunity to host Disc Golf tournaments. The disc golf club has engaged previous Park Boards and City Commissions to support the expansion. This master plan has been tasked to explore the expansion and gauge community feedback. As proposed, the 18hole disc golf course design is recommending the re-rou ng of the exis ng 9-holes for playability and flow of the course.

City Staff set a key parameter for the designer and that was to create a disc golf course layout without using a bridge to cross the ravine.

This parameter was set so the disc golf course wouldn’t depend on the bridge, an expensive item, to be constructed. The eleva on of the Park is lowest on the northern sec on and that is why the course was proposed close to the northern property line. Two other parameters involved keeping the proposed course on the eastern half of the Park and to not cross or change the exis ng cross country course.

On September 19, 2018, City Staff held a mee ng at Warner Memorial Park to discuss the Coralberry Concept. Approximately 70 ci zens a ended and the biggest topic was the expansion of the disc golf course.

Many disc golf supporters showed up but the majority were neighbors

of the Park. A handful of neighbors were in favor of the expansion.

However, the majority were in opposi on to expanding the disc golf course to 18-holes as it was laid out in the Coralberry Concept. John Houck was present at the mee ng, and interacted with mul ple ci zens concerned with the expansion. One of the concerns was how close the fairways appear to show up on the plan near the northern property line. John men oned that a 30-40 foot buffer would exist between the course and the property line of the Park. These areas would be buffered by vegeta on le untouched in the process of sculp ng fairways.

CORALBERRY

Figure 34: Coralberry Concept developed in September 2018.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Page 27

Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board On October 1, 2018, City Staff presented the Coralberry Concept to the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board (PRAB). Approximately 70 people a ended the mee ng. Twenty residents shared comments and concerns about the proposed Coralberry Concept. Eleven spoke in opposi on to expanding the exis ng disc golf to an 18-hole course; five spoke in favor of expanding disc golf; and four people had general comments about the Coralberry Concept. The PRAB recommended the Coralberry Concept for the Warner Memorial Park Master Plan with removal of the disc golf expansion, dog park, and nature playground.

PRAB members stated that the Park was not a suitable loca on for an 18-hole disc golf course; however, the board agreed that the exis ng 9-hole course should remain. The Board had concerns about access to the proposed dog park and nature play space. Members were not

necessarily opposed to the ac vi es, but were concerned that the exis ng park access would not allow for sufficient use of those ameni es at the proposed loca ons.

Throughout the master plan process, two visions for Warner Memorial Park emerged. One vision, presented by the local disc golf club, was to expand the exis ng 9-hole disc golf course to an 18-hole championship course. Another vision, desired by residents surrounding the Park, was to keep the Park in its exis ng state with minimal development. A third vision was presented at the PRAB mee ng for the first me during the master plan process. A descendant of Kern Warner spoke of the Park’s intent when it was dedicated in 1959. Mr. Warner’s descendant would like to see the road in the Park re-opened for public access, something that surrounding residents have opposed for over 20 years, and programmed with more nature-based ac vi es.

CORALBERRY PER PRAB RECOMMENDATION

Figure 35: Coralberry Concept per Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board recommenda on.

The City Commission requested further informa on before making a decision on the Warner Memorial Park Master Plan. The Commission asked staff to further research claims of Na ve American burials in the Park; explore alterna ve layouts for an 18-hole disc golf course in the Park and at other loca ons in the community; and explore op ons to reopen Warner Park Road to allow more access to the interior of the Park.

City Commission Summer 2019 Work Session

Figure 36: Neighborhood mee ng at the Park on September 19, 2018.

Figure 37: Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board mee ng on October 1, 2018.

City Commission Fall 2018 Work Session On November 27, 2018, staff updated the City Commission on the Warner Memorial Park Master Plan. City staff presented the Coralberry Concept and a modified version of "Coralberry" recommended by the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board, which removed expansion of the disc golf course, nature play space, and dog park. Public comment from disc golf advocates indicated support for expanded use in the Park. Comments from other residents echoed many of the same concerns raised at the PRAB mee ng regarding safety, parking, access and appropriateness of disc golf use in the Park.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Following the City Commission Work Session, City Staff began evalua ng poten al sites for suitability to develop an 18-hole disc golf course. Staff reviewed exis ng parklands and City-owned lands within the Manha an Urban Area Comprehensive Plan boundary. Ten sites were evaluated based on the following factors: topography, vegeta on, land area, adjacency to residen al lots, ownership, exis ng uses, and parking. A matrix was created depic ng these proper es and scoring methodology.

Based on this analysis of ten proper es, Warner Memorial Park was rated the most suitable site for an 18-hole disc golf course. Therefore, based on the findings of the site analysis and feedback received from the public, PRAB, and City Commission, staff prepared two alterna ve design layouts for Warner Memorial Park. Coralberry Concepts A and B were presented to the City Commission on August 27, 2019.

Concepts A and B showed modifica ons to the disc golf course layout proposed by Houck Design in the Coralberry Concept. Concept A moved holes 4, 5, and 6 from the Coralberry Concept to the east of the exis ng park road and cross country route. For some residents, the overlap of the two ac vi es was unacceptable. The buffer from the property line of the course layout was also increased to 50’.

Concept B re-routed the Boy Scout trail to the north, closer to the property line. The exis ng trail route would be repurposed for disc golf fairways.

Some residents were concerned about the proximity of the course to their property. This alterna ve would create extra buffer between the course and private property. John Houck, disc golf course designer, reviewed the modified course designs and felt that either concept could be developed into a playable, championship level course. Representa ves from the Li le Apple Disc Golf Club were also suppor ve of either design.

Page 29

Concepts A and B also explored op ons to re-open Warner Park Road through the Park. Currently, the road extends 175 feet in to the Park and can accommodate parking for 10-15 vehicles. A locked gate restricts further vehicular access on the exis ng half-mile roadway. Concepts A and B showed two roadway op ons to extend vehicle access further into the Park to create be er access to an exis ng picnic shelter. This shelter was proposed to receive improvements that would make it more usable.

A new restroom could be placed near the shelter to accommodate trail and shelter users as well. The cost of the restroom would be dependent

CONCEPT A

Figure 38: Coralberry Concept A developed in August 2019.

on the style (vault or connected to City u li es). Extension of the road increases the possibility of oďŹ&#x20AC;-road access into prairie areas of the Park.

Unauthorized access could be addressed through strategic placement of limestone boulders (similar to the current outline of the southwest parking area) or a metal railing. Long me residents con nued to voice concerns of vandalism in the park when the road was opened.

In previous conversa ons with RCPD, patrolling of the Park could poten ally increase with opening of the road.

During the August 2019 Work Session with the City Commission, City StaďŹ&#x20AC; requested direc on on development of an 18-hole disc golf course and op ons to re-open Warner Park Road to vehicular traďŹ&#x192;c. Following public comment from over a dozen residents, a majority of the City Commissioners agreed with the recommenda on for Warner Memorial Park set forth by the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board and also agreed that the road should not be opened for public access. In short, the Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board recommended the Coralberry Concept for the Warner Memorial Park Master Plan with removal of the disc golf expansion, dog park, and nature playground.

Figure 39: Conceptual rendering of a ravine bridge.

CONCEPT B

Figure 40: Coralberry Concept B developed in August 2019.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Page 31

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CHAPTER 5: Warner Memorial Park Master Plan In response to community feedback through the master plan process, a ďŹ nal Park proposal was prepared. This chapter highlights the proposed elements recommended for Warner Memorial Park. The focal point of

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

this master plan is to maintain a space that is natural and rus c, with minimal development.

Page 33

2019 WARNER MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN New Restroom, Shelter, and Expanded Parking

Old Military Trail

Existing Cross Country Route

New Pollinator Meadows

Existing Disc Golf Course Existing Shelter

New Rockery Gardens

Existing Monument

Existing Shelter

New Ravine Bridge

Figure 41: 2019 Warner Memorial Park Final Concept

2019 Warner Memorial Park Master Plan The Warner Memorial Park Master Plan recommends improved trail connec ons and signage, a bridge, pollinator meadows, rockery gardens, enhancements to exis ng features, a new restroom/shelter and expanded parking on the northeast corner of the Park.

Trails and Signage The 2017 survey of Park users found that trails were the feature most o en used in Warner Memorial Park, and a trail loop was the most highly desired new amenity. Numerous trails currently exist in the Park, including Scout Trail, the 8-weeks Trail, and the historical Old Military Trail developed by Don Combs. Rogue trails, par cularly those on steep slopes, should be blocked and covered over to prevent erosion. Park crews plan to consolidate trails where they overlap with the cross country course, in an eďŹ&#x20AC;ort to reduce maintenance of redundant trails.

The trails are to be maintained and constructed per recommenda ons from the Warner Memorial Park Trail Evalua on conducted by the Na ve Trail Solu ons study (appendix c). Park crews will con nue to clear brush where needed to make exis ng trails usable. Trailhead signage, including a Park Map, should be added to the main entrance to the Park. Addi onal wayďŹ nding or interpre ve signage should also be located at selected loca ons along the trail system.

Figure 42: Proposed trailhead signage and trail.

Figure 43: Poten al bridge op on across the ravine.

The Park's rich history and na ve landscape oďŹ&#x20AC;ers possibili es for interpreta on and educa on. Interpre ve signage focused on the history and environmental quali es of the Park would create a sense of place for Warner Memorial Park.

The varying eleva on throughout the Park deters an on-grade trail in some loca ons. In order to accomplish a trail loop, a bridge would need to be constructed on the southern edge of the Park. To save on cost, the bridge would not span the whole ravine, rather, it could be a similar design as the Boy Scout bridge along Scout Trail. A combina on of smaller bridges and stairs could be used to cross the ravine.

Figure 44: Boy Scout Trail bridge in Warner Memorial Park.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Page 35

Na ve Landscape Management Maintaining a na ve prairie at Warner Memorial Park was a top priority for respondents to the online survey and was a common theme heard from residents throughout the planning process. In order to preserve the prairie open space and maintain views and trail corridors through the woods, exis ng vegeta on must be managed. The na ve prairie and woodland landscapes in the Park should be sustainably managed similar to other natural area parklands such as Roger Schultz Community Park.

Eastern red cedars and honeysuckle should be removed on the border surrounding the Park where necessary to develop a firebreak. In other areas of the Park, the cedars need to be thinned out over me unless necessary for erosion control or barriers. Park crews should con nue spraying in the fall to combat invasive honeysuckle vegeta on which tends to block exis ng trails throughout Warner Memorial Park.

Proposed pollinator meadows on the western half of the Park are recommended to promote wildlife and pollinator biodiversity in the Park. A Master's Thesis prepared by Pam Blackmore in 2018 assessed the prairie vegeta on in Warner Memorial Park and recommended strategies to increase biodiversity. This could be accomplished by over-

seeding wildflowers at specific areas in the Park and haying these areas every other year. Currently, the prairie is hayed yearly. Park crews plan to implement this recommenda on in the following growing season.

The Parks and Recrea on Department has worked with Kansas State University to evaluate Warner Memorial Park numerous mes since the Park's incep on. Con nued collabora on with the University will be u lized when it is necessary for further evalua on and management of the na ve landscape.

Disc Golf The Parks and Recrea on Advisory Board and City Commission did not recommend the expansion of the disc golf course to 18-holes, but they did state that the exis ng 9-hole course should remain as it is today.

Park crews should con nue to work with local players to maintain the course and fairways.

The City Commission con nued to express support for an 18-hole disc golf course somewhere in the community. A championship course requires a minimum of 30-40 acres. An ideal site would feature a areas of woodland and open spaces and eleva on change to create a challenging course. As future parkland acquisi ons are considered, staff should include suitability for disc golf among the poten al factors for those sites.

Stormwater Management

Figure 45: LAR320 studio rendering of the Park.

Warner Memorial Park plays a small role in stormwater management for the residen al neighborhoods surrounding the Park. The undeveloped nature of the Park generally results in slower rates of run-off compared to the built-up areas around the Park. An exis ng reten on pond at the northwest corner of the Park currently provides stormwater deten on for a por on of Miller Ranch. A future City project will seek to address stormwater issues from the outlet of this pond near EJ. Frick Drive.

Addi onal dry deten on basins could be developed in the Park, if needed, to address localized downstream flooding. The need for such basins should be carefully evaluated to assure a posi ve cost-benefit for the community.

Picnic Areas Exis ng structures, such as the two shelters, picnic tables, and benches, should be evaluated by Park staff to determine if these features should be repaired, replaced, or removed en rely. This master plan recommends the two exis ng shelters remain and should be maintained as required to ensure their con nued usefulness to Park visitors. The old shelter frame and concrete slab on the north end of the Park should be removed, and the surrounding area restored with na ve vegeta on.

Shuss Road Trailhead

Figure 46: Conceptual rendering of proposed rockery gardens.

A few residents have requested enhancements, similar to Dishman Lake at Anneberg Park, for the exis ng stormwater pond. A K-State class evaluated this pond for possible improvements in 2014. The pond cannot realis cally be an amenity or fishing pond such as Dishman Lake due to the small size, low water quality, and stormwater deten on requirements of the pond. The class report recommended floa ng wetland gardens as a possible visually pleasing solu on to address water quality. Currently, Parks crews mow the pond perimeter on an annual basis, and City crews remove trash from the pond outlet structure and keep the face of the dam clear of woody vegeta on. The master plan recommends these basic maintenance prac ces con nue.

Erosion con nues in the ravines due to natural occurrences from the Park itself as well as run off from some of the adjoining neighborhoods.

Areas affected by erosion should be evaluated annually and addressed with appropriate erosion control measures such as permanent seeding, rock ditch checks, regrading, and/or rockery gardens. The rockery gardens would be located in areas that tend to erode more quickly.

Apart from rockery gardens, addi onal stormwater measures may be necessary to address runoff from the Park. Strategically placed dry deten on basins would also deter further erosion within Warner Memorial Park.

The trailhead and disc golf parking at Shuss Road should be further enhanced. A new restroom and shelter should be developed to serve disc golfers and trail users. The restroom could be connected to City infrastructure, as the proposed loca on is not far from exis ng water and sewer lines. The possibility of temporary restrooms could be accomplished with porta-pots and a concrete base for stability. The shelter should be similar to shelters at other parks and be made of durable materials that require limited maintenance.

The parking is recommended to be expanded and further organized to maximize vehicular capacity. The footprint of the proposed parking lot would extend further north and south of the exis ng lot, with the proposed restroom and shelter extending immediately to the west.

These recommended features would directly benefit the greater community by providing a "staging" point to explore Warner Memorial Park through its trail system and further support the events which occur at the exis ng 9-hole disc golf course.

Figure 47: LAR320 studio rendering of ac vi es at the Park.

Recrea on Programs Manha an Parks and Recrea on should con nue to encourage passive use of Warner Memorial Park by residents and visitors. Picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing (including birds, animals, and insects), and star gazing are all ac vi es that can be enjoyed by individuals or small groups. Partnerships with Sunset Zoo, the Flint Hills Discover Center, the Audobon Society, the Sierra Club, the Kansas Na ve Plant Society, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and other outdoor/environmental groups and clubs is encouraged. These partnerships could lead to new ac vi es or special events that bring new users to the Park and foster a deeper understanding and apprecia on of the prairie landscape.

Disc golf is encouraged to con nue on the exis ng course. Manha an Parks and Recrea on should con nue to work with the local disc golf club and players to support play at Warner Memorial Park and growth in the sport throughout the community. This could occur through partnerships at special events, collabora on with Riley County or Tu le Creek State Park, or other shared programming opportuni es.

Cross country and trail running is also encouraged to con nue in the Park. Manha an Parks and Recrea on should con nue working with the Manha an High Cross Country team, and other local running groups, to encourage safe and appropriate use of the trail system.

Budget Es mates The following informa on includes budget es mates for improvements shown on the final master plan concept. A high and low es mate of costs for each phase is shown. The cost for these improvements may vary depending on the size, quality, or complexity of the elements ul mately selected for each feature. The es mates were developed based on 2019 dollars, and represents construc on costs only. A 20% con ngency has been added to account for aspects of each project that are not known at this me.

Some aspects of these projects could be completed by City Staff or possibly in partnership with local organiza ons or volunteer groups.

These strategies could help reduce the es mated costs. As projects are

further developed and more refined budgets are prepared, considera on should be given to engineering and architectural design fees, permi ng fees, addi onal con ngencies, and other costs necessary to complete each phase. Project budgets should also account for annual infla on and other market condi ons based on the an cipated construc on dates.

Funding for these improvements could come from a variety of City sources. Opera onal budgets from the Parks Division should con nue to be used for basic maintenance of the park landscape and trails.

Partnerships with neighborhood groups or community service groups, such as Hands-on K-State or the Boy Scouts, will con nue to be important for trail clean-up and other small-scale Park improvements.

Larger projects will need to be considered through the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Funding for these improvements could be allocated from the City's General Fund, the Special Parks and Recrea on Fund (alcohol tax), the Park Development Fund (property tax), or the Special Rec and Trails Sales Tax. Other sources that could be u lized for certain types of infrastructure projects include the Economic Development Fund, Transient Guest Tax, or Stormwater Fund. The City could also pursue grants or private dona ons to further pursue priority enhancements. In order to maintain and enhance the Park, as desired by the par cipants in this planning process, City Administra on and the City Commission will need to priori ze funding for Warner Memorial Park in the Parks and Recrea on budget and the CIP. /d D ϭ Ϯ Ϯ Ϯ ϯ ϰ

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CHAPTER 6: Conclusion It has been close to 20 years since the last master plan has been developed for Warner Memorial Park. The latest master plan process started in 2017 with a neighborhood survey. Since that me, there has been nine public interac ons, six advisory board mee ngs, and three City Commission Work Sessions concerning the Park. It was clear throughout the master plan process that there were diďŹ&#x20AC;ering opinions on the future of Warner Memorial Park. Manha an residents showed great interest in the process and this level of public engagement helps City Administra on, Advisory boards, and the City Commission make informed decisions on the future of our community open spaces.

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

Warner Memorial Park will con nue to be a gem in the City's parks system. 80 acres of undeveloped public open space in the middle of a city is a precious resource that the community has a vested interest in protec ng. Preserva on of open space must be balanced against the needs and rights of the public to access and enjoy the parkland. This master plan recommends strategies based on the majority of public sen ment that supported minimal development and change to the Park.

Based on these recommenda ons, Manha an Parks and Recrea on will con nue to sustainably manage the na ve park landscape and promote appropriate public uses of the Park so residents and visitors can enjoy Kern Warner's legacy park for years to come.

Page 41

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APPENDICES

Warner Memorial Park Master Plan

A.

Warner Memorial Park Timeline

B.

Warner Memorial Park Neighborhood Survey Results

C.

Warner Memorial Park Trail Evalua on

Page 43

Appendix A Warner Memorial Park Timeline

Warner Park

timeline

1957 1958 1959 1960 January 23

Feb 25 Mr. Kern Warner announces gift of 40 acres at Park Board meeting

April 2 Manhattan voters reject $200,000 bond for purchase of additional city park land bond

The Park board designates subcommittee to determine “one basic plan;” suggestions for at least two park entrances, at least two wells, standard and vandal proof facilities, residence for park caretaker and slope stakes for parking

April 15 & 20 Land donation discussed by Park Board: Kern Warner requested $3,000 per year be spent on park improvments and maitnenance for three years, K. Warner offered to sell a second 40 acre tract for $150 per acre (total of $6,000)

May 23 Public campaign to raise funds to purchase additional 40 acres begins

June 7 The $6,000 fundraising goal is met

May 7 City Commission accepts land donation from Kern and Bessie Warner

February 24 Over 100 people attend meeting about development of park, including concepts by Professor Quinlan’s students

January 29 Park Board subcomittee created recommendations for the Park Board recommendations included entrnaces, parking, picnic areas, buildings/structures, landscaping, water supply, signage, scout area and opening date

January 12

1960

May 3, 1963

Kern Warner is appointed to Park Board

Manhattan Park Program proposed for 1960 in Warner Park:

Proposal to black top park roads received. Sertoma Club felt the project was too big.

February 25 February K-113 opens

Park Board discusses potential for amphitheater at Warner

March 30 July 22 May 5, 1958 Warner gifts 1.35 acres and Miller gifts 0.9 acres for southwest entrance (county road).

Field archery range at Warner Park is completed by members of the Manhattan Archery Society

Manhattan Park Development Association plans an amphitheater in northeast corner of Warner Park or Tuttle Creek Dam area

continue construction of the road and parking areas; construct new picnic areas, tables, fireplaces, shelter houses, restrooms, wells, and plantings.

(Memorial Day)

The public was invited to visit Warner Park

July 16 The three Tracts (A, B, C) were deeded to the city

by Kern and Bessie Warner

October 16

May 29

Bayer Construction wins bid to complete 1960 Capital Improvements including roads and parking lots in Warner Park

The Park Board announces Kern Warner intends to donate 10 more acres to the park and Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Shuss would donate 3 acres

K-18 opens

August 4 Archery range is sanctioned by the National Field Archery Association

Park Board approves plans for parking lots and parking drives

September 2 citizens of Manhattan raised $8,307 “to improve the park land donated to the city by Kern Warner”

at the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

November L.R. Quinlan, Professor of Landscape Architecture has 14 students assist in park planning

October 19 Shuss deeds 60 foot wide right of way for public road purposed, total of 1.43 acres to provide access to east side of the park off Shuss Road

June 13 City Manager Wesche reported that the contract dated May 7, 1957 with Kern and Bessie Warner has been fulfilled

(suggested two shelter

1962

Park shown in city limits on engineer’s map

Kern Warner passes away

October 21 City Commission authorizes Bayer construction to start work on road in Warner Park

April 17 November 16Manhattan Woman’s Club presents proposal

1959 Memo of Accomplishments for 1959 in Warner Park: New shelter house, eight new concrete picnic tables, two restrooms in the Scout Area were constructed, part of the road system, three parking areas were constructed with the help of the National Guard

The City Commission approves the building of two shelters, as proposed by the Manhattan Woman’s Club

1965

Oct. Arbor Heights annexed

June 1966 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for Manhattan, Kansas

1972 1978 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan Allow natural openness as well as the addition of much needed facilities to relieve the strain on City Park

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan very similar to plan done in 1966

1987 1990 The southwest gate of Warner Park closed, barricaded and locked.

This action was stated as being temporary.

Warner Park Master Plan Proposal prepared by a Landscape Architect student

Summer 1996 Jason Meier, Park Planner Intern, prepares “Warner Memorial Park Master Plan” concept drawings

August 2002 Revision to 2002 Warner Park Master Plan completed

September Manhattan garden clubs (Women’s Club) working on proposal to further develop Warner Park

1965

Sept.

Cherry Hill/Heather Heights annexed

1966

March 19, 1969

1961

Master Plan proposed for park improvements

Fundraising is complete;

that the plan is for the area to be a and to keep roads to a minimum

August 3

houses, 11 fireplaces, 11 waste receptacles, restrooms on east and west sides of park, two or three wells, and two lookout observation points)

September 15

City Manager Wesche reported natural park for unorganized play

Dedication of park

A motion by the Park Board was carried to “officially designate ‘picnic ball diamond’ in Warner Park”

Mr. Wesche further reported that $7,856 was spend the first two years and approximately $3,700 this year [1960]

August 2

June

January 18

March 1

of “approximately forty acres of ground as a gift tot he City for park purposes”

May 27

1963-Present

November 2012 Disc Golf club requested expansion of disc golf course at Warner Park

Spring 2010 Nine-hole Disc Golf course was constructed on the east side of park

February 2017 Spring 2018 KSU Landscape Architecture studio projects

Warner Memorial Park Master Neighborhood Survey

Appendix B Warner Memorial Park Neighborhood Survey Results

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey Results

Manhattan Parks and Recreation conducted an online survey to help determine the community’s use and desire for improvements at Warner Park. The survey was available online for three weeks, from February 9 to February 28, 2017. The survey link was promoted through social media (Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor, Instagram), the City’s InTouch email lists (neighborhoods, trail users, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, city employees), and neighborhood HOA contacts, and was also featured in a news release and the City’s Insider Newsletter. Specific emphasis was placed on reaching residents in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the park, but the survey was open to the general public. In total, 838 people responded to the survey.

Demographics Park visitors (n=838) The majority of survey respondents had visited the park: 62.8% (526) in the last 12 months, and 20.6% (173) at some point in the past. 16.6% (139) had never been to the park.

Where do respondents live? (n=688) Responses came from every part of the city. The largest portion of respondents (36.5%) live in Neighborhood Area 8, which includes Warner Park. 10% of respondents (n=68) answered “none of the above” indicating that they live outside the city of Manhattan. In spite of this, 67% of these respondents said they had been to the park in the past 12 months, while 19% said they had never visited.

Figure 1: Map of the Neighborhood Areas (Q17)

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey (Issued for PRAB Review 4/28/2017)

Page 1 of 8

Of the 251 respondents who reside in Area 8, 94% are permanent residents of Manhattan, while a very small percentage affiliated with Fort Riley or K‐State. The majority live in the Arbor Heights neighborhoods immediately south of the park (27%), Miller Ranch South area immediately west of the park (24%), and the Lee Mill Heights and Grande Bluffs neighborhoods further to the west (24%).

Smaller percentages came from the neighborhoods immediately north of the park (Amherst, 16%; Cherry Hill 5%), and those on the western edge of the neighborhood area close to Scenic Drive (3.6%).

Figure 2: Map of the "Area 8" neighborhoods surrounding Warner Park (Q18)

Over 63% of these respondents have lived in Area 8 for less than 10 years. Significant growth has occurred in this area of town, mostly west of the park (west of Amherst Avenue), during this time. Of the respondents who live in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the park (Amherst South, Arbor Heights, Cherry Hill, Miller Ranch South) (n=158), almost half (48%) have moved there in the last 10 years; 20% 11‐15 years ago; and one third (32%) more than 15 years ago. 106 respondents1 reported that their house backed up to the park. Half lived there less than 10 years. To put this in context, the last master plan completed for Warner Park was 30 years ago, in 1987, before a vast majority of these respondents lived in the area.

1

See Section: User Groups, pages 6‐8 for further analysis.

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

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Getting to the park (n=634) 56% of respondents typically drive to the park, while 39% walk/jog there. Around 3% bike to the park.

Respondents who had not been to the park in the past 12 months were more likely to have arrived in a personal vehicle (75%) than those who had visited more recently (50%). Respondents who live in Area 8 and have been to the park in the last year (n=202), were more likely to have walked (85.6%). 94% of residents whose home backs up to the park (n=106) usually walk to the park.

Age (n=677) and Gender (n=674) Response rates were about equal between men and women (47, 53% respectively). A diversity of ages was represented in the results, with most respondents (44%) between 26 and 45 years old. Respondents whose homes backed up the park skewed slightly older, with 17% in the “Over 65” category, compared to 10% over 65 in the overall dataset.

Children (n=670) 50% of respondents indicated they have children living at home. Among respondents whose homes back up to the park, 57% have children at home. Among frequent disc golf users, 51% have children at home.

61% of cross‐country runners who responded have children at home.

Major Findings Park experience (n=499) Of the residents who had visited the park in the last 12 months, 82% rated their experience “Very Good” or “Good.” 15% gave the park a “Fair” rating, and 2% rated it “Poor.” Respondents who visited the park daily (n=50) had an even higher opinion of the park (76% Very Good, 18% Good).

453 respondents included comments about what they love most about the park. Positive mentions of the trail system, open space, and the natural feel of the park topped the list.

Figure 3: Word Cloud representing the most commonly used answers to what people love about Warner Park.

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

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Use of the park (n=626‐632) The most popular feature in the park is the trail system, with 80% of all respondents indicating their use.

56% of respondents used the open space and nearly 30% (184 respondents) participated in disc golf. A limited number of people reported using the shelters (9%) or grills (3%). 20% of respondents indicated they participated in cross country, while 14% indicated they played disc golf frequently.2

Frequency of usage varied quite a bit among respondents. Of those who visited the park in the last year, 10% did so daily, 25% weekly, and 22% monthly. Respondents whose home backs up to the park are more likely to visit more often (Daily, 25%; Weekly 37%) than those who live farther away. Most users (46%) spent 30 minutes to an hour in the park. 35% spent 1‐2 hours in the park. 67% of park neighbors spend 30‐60 minutes in the park per visit. Frequent disc golfers are more likely to stay in the park for longer periods (58% 1‐2 hours, 22% more than 2 hours).

Most respondents visit the park with a family member (56.8%). Overall, respondents were about equally as likely to visit the park alone (26%), with their pet (28%), or with another person (30%). Of the respondents whose homes back up to the park, slightly more come to the park with a family member (67.5%) or pet (41.2%). Frequent disc golfers were more likely to come to the park with someone else who was not a family member (65%), and less likely to visit by themselves (19%), indicative of the group nature of the activity.

Quality of the park amenities (n=613) Open Space (n=483) received the highest ratings (89% Very Good or Good). Disc Golf (n=232) was next with 32% rating the quality of the amenity “Very Good” and 50% “Good.” Trails (n=541) received a similar rating with 22% giving a score of “Very Good” and 50% rating the trails “Good.” A higher percentage of respondents rated the condition of the shelters (n=224) “Fair” (36%) or “Poor” (16%). The least used amenity, grills (n=100), received the lowest ratings (Fair, 41%; Poor, 25%).

New park amenities (n=702) Overall, a “Hiking Trail Loop (through the entire park, across the ravine)” (n=653) received the highest rating (weighted average 3.50). 65% of respondents believed this trail was a “High Priority;” 24% “Medium Priority;” 11% “Low” or “Not a Priority”. Paved trails received mixed reviews, (2.77 average) with over 20 respondents commenting on a desire to keep the trail system more natural, with “softer” running surfaces. Some expressed concerns with muddy trails and others desired better ADA accessibility to certain areas. Several comments also requested trail signage to help with wayfinding.

Modern Restrooms (n=680) were the second most popular element (weighted average 3.17): 47% “High Priority,” 32% “Medium,” 11% “Low,” 9% “Not a Priority.” Other new amenities that had higher levels of interest included Informational Kiosk or Signage (2.83), Nature Trail (2.80), Paved Walking/Biking Path through the park (2.77), Renovate Existing Picnic Shelters (2.66), Playground for Kids (2.55), and Dog

2

See Section: User Groups, pages 6‐8 for further analysis.

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

Page 4 of 8

Park (2.51). There was a preference among respondents to renovate the existing picnic shelters (2.73), as opposed to adding new shelters (2.29) or picnic tables (2.46).

Overall, expansion of the disc golf course from 9 to 18 holes rated 13th out of 17 possible amenities in terms of priority (weighted average 2.45). Among all respondents (n=611), 51% rated the course expansion “Low Priority” or “Not a Priority.” Among “frequent disc golf users” (n=117), 77% rated expansion a “High Priority,” compared to 24% in the overall sample. Among respondents “whose homes back up to the park” (n=106), there was even less support (weighted average 2.01). 69% of residents whose house backs up to the park gave a rating of “Low Priority” (27%) or “Not a Priority” (42%), while 31% rated expansion a “High” or “Medium” Priority (12% and 19%, respectively).

Special events and activities (n=666) Almost half (48%) of respondents expressed interest in participating in a “Star Gazing” activity at the park. There was also high interest in “Guided Hikes” (40%). Organized cross country race, overnight camping program, photography class, and geocaching all received between 150‐200 “likes.” These are programs or special events that Manhattan Parks and Recreation could consider hosting at the park.

Native prairie (n=649) 80% of respondents believe that that is important to maintain Warner Park as an example of a native prairie (43% Very Important, 37% Important). 14.5% of respondents did not think this was important, and 5% had no opinion. Nearly all (95%) of respondents whose homes back up to the park believe it is important to maintain Warner Park as native prairie.

When asked specifically about the importance of management or restoration of native prairie through removal of cedar trees, however, only half thought it was a “High” (21%) or “Medium” (29%) priority.

24% did not think this should be a priority. Of respondents who live closest to the park (n=100), only 39% gave this style of land management a “High” or “Medium” rating, while 37% did not believe it should be a priority. This may indicate a lack of understanding about what it means to preserve a native prairie landscape. It could also be that residents place a high value on certain landscape elements used for screening or habitat, despite the invasive quality of the trees.

Vehicles, parking, and access (n=675‐689) 52.6% of respondents believe vehicle access should stay the same. A much smaller group (8.4%) supported re‐opening the existing road to allow vehicles to access the interior of the park. 30.5% would like to expand parking areas near the existing entry points. When asked about parking, opinions were equally mixed: 25% thought parking should stay the same; 25% supported expanding the southwest parking lot near Warner Park Road; 21% supported expanding the parking area off of Shuss Road; 25% had no opinion.

Respondents whose homes back up to the park were strongly in favor of keeping vehicle access the same (78%). 16% would agree with expanding parking areas near the existing entry points. A small percentage (5%) would like to allow vehicle access on the interior of the park. Several respondents cited Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

Page 5 of 8

previous vandalism issues and a desire to maintain the natural beauty of the park as reasons to limit vehicular access. When asked specifically about parking, a few more neighboring residents were supportive of expanding the existing parking lots (21% for the east lot; 17% for the southwest lot; only 5.7% for new parking areas inside the park). Almost 43%, however, believed parking should stay the same. Only about 10% supported paving the parking lots, while 30% of these respondents wanted to add parking lot lighting. 6 respondents specifically wrote “No lighting” as a comment.

Respondents who indicated they played disc golf were mostly in favor of leaving vehicle access the same (53%). 35% suggested expanding the east parking lot (near the disc golf course), while 24% thought parking should stay the same.

When asked about additional pedestrian entry points into the park, most people (44%) were unsure.

34% thought the existing access points were sufficient. Approximately 21% of respondents thought additional access points or improvements to existing access points were necessary and 65 people provided feedback on those locations in the comments.

User Groups Question 16 asked if respondents identified with any particular user group:  Cross Country Runner  My house backs up to the park  Frequent Disc Golf User  None of the above

Responses from these self‐identified groups were cross‐tabulated to identify trends in park usage and desired priorities for specific types of park users.

Cross country 20% (or 165 people) indicated they run cross‐country. Of these respondents:  56% travel to the park in a vehicle, while 38% walk or jog  53% come to the park with a family member, 32% with someone else, and 27% by themselves  33% use the park several times per year,23% use the park weekly, and 19% use it on a monthly basis  44% spend 30‐60 minutes in the park, while 35% spend 1‐2 hours in the park per visit  Respondents’ gender was similar to the overall sample  Respondents were somewhat younger than the overall sample, with 20% under 25 years old. A greater percentage of cross country runners (51%) were in the 36‐55 year old range than the general sample population (40%).

The highest priority item for cross country users was a hiking trail loop through the entire park. 75% of these users rated expansion a “High Priority,” compared to 65% in the overall sample. 18% of cross country users rated expansion a “Medium Priority.” The second priority item was modern restrooms (60% High Priority, 25% Medium Priority).

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

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Disc golf 184 respondents indicated they have played disc golf in the park. 117 people (14% of the sample) indicated they play disc golf frequently. Of these respondents:  106 respondents have used the disc golf course  83% travel to the park in a vehicle  28% live outside the city limits  65% come to the park with someone else, 42% with a family member, and 19% by themselves  23% use the park weekly, while 35% use it on a monthly basis  58% spend 1‐2 hours in the park per visit  Respondents were predominantly male (74%), and younger than the overall survey population (42% 26‐35 years old)

Frequent disc golf users rated the condition of the course fairly high: 47% “Very Good,” 41% “Good.”

The highest priority item for frequent disc golf users was expansion of the course from 9 to 18 holes, and respondents wrote numerous comments in support. 77% of these users rated expansion a “High Priority,” compared to 24% in the overall sample. 19% of frequent users rated expansion a “Medium Priority,” while five people (4%) rated the priority level Low. The second priority item was modern restrooms (44% High Priority, 36% Medium Priority), followed very closely by a hiking trail loop through the entire park (43% High Priority, 38% Medium Priority).

81% of frequent users expressed interested in a disc golf tournament, while nearly half (48.7%) expressed interest in introductory lessons.

Park neighbors 118 respondents indicated there home backs up to the park, but only 53 residential lots actually border the park. This disparity means that multiple people from these households took the survey, or some respondents misunderstood the map/question or don’t know where the park is located. The previous question asked respondents to select which area of Manhattan they live in: 110 of the 118 indicated they lived in Neighborhood Area 8, where Warner Park is, leaving 8 that obviously do not back up to the park. Eight people also skipped the next question which asked them to select the neighborhood within Area 8 that they lived, confirming this assumption. 110 respondents selected the following neighbor‐ hoods: Arbor Heights (45); Miller Ranch South (34), Amherst South (22), Cherry Hill Estates (5) Lee Mill Heights (2) Miller Ranch North (2). The Lee Mill Heights/Grande Bluffs and Miller Ranch North neighborhoods do not border the park.

Neighborhood

Total Lots

Bordering Lots

Survey Responses

Amherst South

153

6

22

Arbor Heights

111

28

45

Cherry Hill Estates

15

7

5

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

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Lee Mill Heights & Grande Bluffs 324

0

2

Miller Ranch North

122

0

2

Miller Ranch South

129

12

34

Therefore, it seems reasonable that 106 respondents (12.6%) could in fact border the park, if at least two members of most households completed the survey. At the very least, this number likely represents residents who live near to the border and may feel a strong connection to the park.

Of the 106 respondents:  93 respondents have been to the park in the last year; 2 have never been to the park  94% travel to the park on foot  68% come to the park with a family member, 42% with a pet, and 36.5% by themselves  39% use the park weekly, while 26% use it on a daily basis  66% spend 30‐60 minutes in the park per visit  More women (59.5%) responded than men (40.5%)  57% indicated they had children at home  Respondents were somewhat older than the overall sample with 17% over age 65

Respondents whose home backs up to the park rated the quality of the open space very high: 58% “Very Good,” 38% “Good.”

The highest priority item for park neighbors was a hiking trail loop through the entire park. 68% of these users rated a trail loop as a “High Priority,” slightly more than the 65% in the overall sample. 18% of the neighbors rated a complete loop a “Medium Priority.” The second priority item was modern restrooms (31% High Priority, 35% Medium Priority).

None of the above 346 respondents (50%) indicated they were not affiliated with any of the user groups:  53% had been to the park in the last year; 20% had never visited  58% travel to the park in a vehicle, while 36% walk or jog  60% come to the park with a family member, 32% with a pet, and 27% by themselves  66% visit the park several time per year or rarely  51% spend 30‐60 minutes in the park, while 26% spend 1‐2 hours in the park per visit  More women (58%) responded than men (42%)  Respondents were somewhat older than the overall sample, with 35% over 55 years old and 26% under 35.

This group was similar to the overall sample in many respects. The highest priority item for these respondents was a hiking trail loop through the entire park (69% High Priority), followed by Modern Restrooms (48% High Priority).

Warner Park Neighborhood Survey

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2017 Warner Park Survey Raw Data

838 Total Responses

Complete Responses: 676

Powered by

Q1: Have you visited Warner Park?

Answered: 838

Skipped: 0

Q2: How would you rate your experience in Warner Park in the last 12 months?

Answered: 499

Skipped: 339

Q3: What do you love most about Warner Park? # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Category Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic

19

Beauty/Scenic

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic Beauty/Scenic, Peaceful/Quiet Beauty/Scenic, Peaceful/Quiet Cross Country Cross Country

29

Cross Country

30 31 32

Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country

33

Cross Country, Beauty/Scenic

34 35

Cross Country, Beauty/Scenic, Peaceful/Quiet Cross Country, Natural/Nature

Comment beautiful setting hills The hills and terrain make it a great place to run. hills It is a beautiful area.

Great hills for Kansas Scenery Untouched beauty Pristine.

Very pretty Taking walks and enjoying the outdoor scenery.

Terrain The Hilly Terrain The hilly terrain Walking, sunsets It's scenic and feels secluded.

Walking, enjoying scenery and view, flying kite.

Scenery The diversity of landscape, from the prairie grass areas on the Cherry Hills and Arbor Heights sides to the wonderful wooded low section with the cross cutting ravines. Warner Park is the only place in town where you can go on a walk through the woods and it feels like a mini-adventure while still enjoying paths.

The whole thing! The views. The elevation change. The variety of home types.

The trees, the colors its beauty!

Unique elevation not found much in Kansas Beautiful nice size, easy access, lovely landscape The quiet and beauty all around.

Feels isolated from surrounding housing. Hills. Beautiful. good place for cross country meets MHS xc and where I got married The long standing tradition of it being used as a cross country course, especially when it was a state course. It would be exciting to formalize / enhance the course for every day walking/running.

The cross country course Cross Country Running/Races Cross country run.

Cross Country running! The cross country meets out there are filled with energy, beautiful scenery. The course is considered one of the best in Kansas It is a very peaceful park and it's beautiful and could use a few improvements for as much as it's used on a regular basis, my kids run cross country and use it many times a year I love the nature and views of Manhattan from warner park, and I have also done cross country training there as

36

Cross Country, Natural/Nature

37

Cross Country, Open space Cross Country, Open space, Natural/Nature Cross Country, Trails Cross Country, Trails Cross Country, Trails

38 39 40 41 42

Cross Country, Trails, Beauty/Scenic

43 44 45

Cross Country, Trails, Open space Disc golf Disc golf

46

Disc golf

47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63

Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf

64

Disc golf

65 66 67

Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf

68

Disc golf

69

Disc golf

part of the MHS cross country team.

The fact that it's relatively untouched. There's not a lot of traffic through there, so it stays nice. I also like the cross country course cut in The open space, trees. It is a good place for the Manhattan Cross Country teams It's wonderful to have some public open space within the city for multiple uses: walking, jogging, cross country races. A place to be in nature away from cars and other motorized vehicles. hills, trails, cross country meets Cross Country trails Cross Country and trail running. Best wooded trails in the city.

The views! It's like a "mini-Konza Prairie" near our house. The kids love playing the ravines and now we can walk to Panera's. Thank you for improving the trail through the ravine behind Arby's. We also like it that we know everyone who is out walking thier dogs and kids. It's a true community park. We also enjoy watching the cross country races.

Wide open, no development and the cross country trail to walk on Disc Golf Disc golf Disk golf and that the park is left pretty much untouched. It's low maintenance and casual. It feels outdoorsy, not like a McDonald's play place, and I hope it stays that way.

Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc Golf.

Disc Golf.

Frisbee golf Disc golf!

Took our grandson to Frisbee golf course. Hard to find tees. Need better maps.

Disc golf Disc course frisbee golf The frisbee golf course.

The frisbee golf.

Space and lack of organized sports except for disc golf The disc golf course The disc golf course Frisbee Golf Course I enjoy walking at Warner Park. It is big enough and has enough pathways that you can practically take a different route every day. Also, the disc golf course is very neat, though I've never used it myself.

Disc golf Disc Golf Disc golf The Disc Golf Course is the best part of Warner Park. My kids and I love going there to enjoy the hiking along the course and the amazing views.

The variety of of shots the course presents.

70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79

Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf

80

Disc golf

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf

101

Disc golf

102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109

Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf, Beauty/Scenic Disc golf, Beauty/Scenic Disc golf, Cross Country Disc golf, Natural/Nature

Environment it's in and the holes are sick!!

The disc golf course, but I wish it was a full 18 hole course Disc golf course Disc golf The great disc golf course! Used to like grilling there but the grills were recently removed :( Disc Golf Course It's a great course I wish they were 18 holes!

The challenge of the disc golf course Disc golf Disc Golf It's a hidden mountain like escape. I lived in Manhattan 5 years before I discovered it. I have been playing disc golf there ever since.

Disc golf Disc golf The wooded holes.

The disc golf course has everything you would want in a course such as elevation and woods Disc Golf & i miss being able to drive down in the park.

Disc golf course Disc course Disc golf The disc golf course. It's the perfect combination of trees and elevation.

The disc golf course Disc golf Disc Golf The disc golf course Great little 9-hole disc golf course, very clean.

Disc golf course Disc Golf course The disc golf course.

Playing disc golf, it's a nice play to experience the outdoors, I even saw a deer while playing once The disc golf course, my son loves playing there.

The disc golf course Disc golf Disc Golf The disc golf course Disc golf course is very well maintained The disc golf course The beautiful space. The running course. The disc golf The natural beauty and Disc Golf.

Disc golf and cross country Natural and the frolf course

110

Disc golf, Natural/Nature

111 112 113 114 116

Disc golf, Open space Disc golf, Open space Disc golf, Open space Disc golf, Open space Disc golf, Open space, Beauty/Scenic, Peaceful/Quiet Disc golf, Trails

117

Disc golf, Trails

118 119 120 121 122 123

Disc golf, Trails Disc golf, Trails Disc golf, Trails Disc golf, Trails Disc golf, Trails Disc golf, Trails

124

Disc golf, Trails, Natural/Nature

125 126 127 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142

Disc golf, Trails, Natural/Nature Disc golf, Trails, Open space Disc golf, Trails, Open space Disc golf, Trails, Open space, Peaceful/Quiet Dogs Location Location Location Location Location Location Location Location Location Location Location Location Location

143

Location, Open space, Dogs

144

Location, Peaceful/Quiet

115

128

It feels like "undeveloped" space in a good way. There's vast openness and it has a natural Flint Hills feel that the other parks do not have. Disc golf course is great!

I appreciate the disc golf course and the wide open space.

Open space, trees, parking area, disc golf course How large the park out and the disk golf section Big and open grassland hillside. Good disc golf course too The open, quiet space and beautiful view at the top! I also like the disc golf course but it's been a while since I've played.

Disc golf course, trails The best thing is the variety of trails and entrances that permit access from different areas and neighborhoods. For example, there are trails between the park and the disc golf course, entrances near Target, and access from Cherry Hill and Warner Park Road. There is also a paved trail that connects Warner Park (near the pond) to Amhearst Avenue and Miller Parkway. These many access points allow a lot of neighborhoods to use the park and allow runners many pleasant routes that traverse the park.

The disc golf course and trails. disc golf and trails It's undeveloped, except for its trails, picnic areas, and disc golf course Trails and disc golf The disc golf course and the hiking trails Frisbee, trails Frisbee golf and the nature/running trails in the woods are maintained by foot traffic, not by vehicles or machinery.

Please let's keep the park in its nature form and not go putting in concrete and shelters up everywhere.

The nature trails and disc golf course.

I love the wide open spaces, trails, and disc golf course.

The open space, walking trails, Frisbee golf, and over all outdoors-ness of Warner Park.

The openness, the trails that lead to Target shopping area, the frisbee park, peacefullness, not overly developed Able to walk the dogs Close to My home Remote location Location Location Close to my home and the walking track is secluded.

The location, and potential it has to be a great park.

CLOSE TO MY HOUSE it's nearby my home It's easy to access from the Lee Mill Heights area where I live I like how it's off the beaten path but not really.

It's close to our house and good for the kids to run around.

It's close to where I live and seems tucked away It starts at the end of my street (EJ Frick) and is a great place for walking and exploring.

Right down the road from home and gives us open space to explore, prairie to the woods. We are here from Las Vegas and love the green and wildlife. Best place to walk a 100lb. Dog on long leash. Love it!!!! location and peace full.

145

Location, Peaceful/Quiet

146

Locaton, Trails, Open space, Dogs

147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158

Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature

159

Natural/Nature

160 161 162 163 164 165

Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature

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Natural/Nature

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Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature

It's close to my house and quiet Location is great since its at the end of my street & well its great for many people since its in the midst of numerous neighborhoods. I like that its a great large open space for my dogs to run and play fetch. It would be great if a fenced in area was made for a dog park. SO many people take their dogs to this park. Also there are several random trails through the woods, but no signs marking the trails..need signs.

There are no cars or any baseball diamonds. It has the feel of the Flint Hills. i love the woods!

Prairie likeness Unmolested! Love it for walking with the family.

The natural land ! Please do not disturb!

Its wildness.

Natural setting natural The natural environment natural setting How untouched it is The nature I like that the park is not as well known, and not very busy. We live near there and it's more of a "nature hike" for us then a trip to a park to play. very natural and the hills Generally, it is not overdeveloped.

Great place to enjoy being outdoors, especially with so much new development all around Warner Park.

It is natural and mostly undeveloped. rustic, unimproved feel Nature and nature I love its nature. The undeveloped part is the best part. It provides a place for me to escape from everyday life and reflect on God, my family, and my self away from social media and work.

It still feels quite natural Very natural The Nature, its not busy, pretty views.

Nature Having a large natural area to walk in near my home That it remains in it's natural state!

Natural environment The undeveloped, outdoors feel.

That there's no car and is a true nature park the natural setting of prairie and wooded areas Mix of natural areas and groomed park.

Secluded, a bit wild The fact that it has been left relatively untouched and has abundant wildlife refuge areas.

Lack of cars The wooded area.

Undeveloped

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Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature

196

Natural/Nature

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Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature Natural/Nature

213

Natural/Nature

214 215

Natural/Nature Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic

216

Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic

217 218

Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic

forest area The feeling that you are out in the country away from everything All the native areas It feels remote yet it is close by.

The natural habitat, having such a non-manicured space within the city limits.

It is supposed to be a natural grassland park.

I love that you can experience nature in town.

All Natural environment.

That is has been kept "natural" Nature The natural walking path The natural setting, very little manmade items.

It is the only natural park within the city limits as far as I know.

The fact that there are no restrooms, no ball fields, no lights, etc. I like that it is one park that has for the most part been left in a semi-natural state.

It's natural.

It is natural and not developed as are most of our other parks.

Pristine and natural.

Having a natural area to easily access Mix of recreation and natural areas.

That it is a prairie grass park/natural The freedom of no stuff It is somewhat natrual Seclusion It's wilderness atmosphere That it is natural Natural prairie The undeveloped walking paths through the woods undeveloped The undeveloped state. Space to roam and enjoy the vista.

It's naturalness. Unlike many parks in Manhattan - you feel like you are away from town That it is undeveloped or a more natural park. I love the path during the early spring and fall seasons with the leaves and small creek. I love the view from the top of the hill during sunset. It's nice not to have the park filled with things. the park has huge potential for use by those that love outdoor space.

I love that it is undeveloped. The natural beauty keeps it a viable place for wildlife and for natural appreciation.

Early morning beauty!

Limited traffic in the heart of the park.

Natural grass areas.

It's natural beauty and running path.

The natural beauty

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Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic

221

Natural/nature, Beauty/Scenic, Peaceful/Quiet

222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243

Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space

244

Open space

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Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space

253

Open space

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Open space Open space Open space Open space

It's natural and beautiful.

The undisturbed natural beauty.

There are few people that go there and no vehicles are allowed. It keeps it nice for the serious hikers, disc golf, bikers, etc, who enjoy the quiet and beauty of the outdoors without the usual children's park atmosphere. I had my wedding ceremony there and loved it.

The nature and peaceful paths.

I love that it is quite, secluded from the college scene, and is a peaceful and safe place to be in nature.

I love the fact that if I want to take a walk in nature that the park has a quiet setting to do just that.

Lots of green space. Good walking experiences. Quiet & good for nature.

Wide open spaces Openness--no cars Being outdoors on the open space feels relaxing Open and hilly that's its wide open and feels like your out of town even when you're not. open space and diversity of landscape Big open spaces The roaming space.

How wide open it is and secluded. It is like being out in the country! Love it!

The open space The open areas Space Open space Wide open spaces How open it is!

The open space Open space.

Openness and relatively undeveloped The wide open space that the park provides is wonderful. Having an area of that size open and public in the middle of the city is a treat.

It is open how open it is Wide open space!

I love it for what it is--large, open, undeveloped. it's an open area with no extra crap Open land It is open land and easy to walk around.

The open space I love that there is a very large, wide-open space for big gatherings and activities, but also many, many trees for shade and blocking wind.

The openess.

Open space & views The open space. freedom to roam

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Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space Open space, Beauty/Scenic Open space, Beauty/Scenic Open space, Dogs Open space, Dogs Open space, Natural/Nature

291

Open space, Natural/Nature

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Open space, Natural/Nature Open space, Natural/Nature Open space, Natural/Nature Open space, Natural/Nature Open space, Natural/Nature

Wide open park. open area with good parking The openness open space it's openness and native features Clean open area with low traffic usually open space, few people That it is open and cars are not allowed.

The open space Open spaces Open space for walking, running, playing with children, etc.

Open area, large free area people can walk around Open space I like that it is open and a place to run/hike.

Lots of space The open space! green space Open space for walking!

Open space The size and the views The openness Very open.

The openness and views of the surrounding parts of MHK and vicinity.

Open space. We fly kites, fly toy airplanes, play catch, run and ride bikes in the park.

Openness I love the openness! I like how its a little bit of prairie in your back yard!

Wide open, secluded.

The wide open area, beautiful scenery and solitude.

Rolling hills. Limited roads, lots of space Lots of open land where you can hike & let your dog run Seclusion, lots of room, dog friendly The fact that it is mostly in a natural state. Wide open spaces and wild flowers and grasses.

Open Areas for several uses. I live on Hickory Court which abuts the park on the southeast corner.

It is my impression Bill and Barb Warner dedicated (donated) the entirety of the park to the City with the understanding the park would always remain in a "natural state". Please check the City records in this regard. I would appreciate it if you would contact me about this. {contact info removed} Thanks.

It is an open space undeveloped natural prairie and woods experience I love the open land and natural setting Space, openness, natural and undistrubed The openness and the natural Open space, natural space.

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Open space, Natural/Nature

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Open space, Natural/Nature, Dogs Open space, Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Open space, Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Open space, Peaceful/Quiet Open space, Peaceful/Quiet Open space, Peaceful/Quiet, Dogs Open space, Peaceful/Quiet, Dogs Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet Peaceful/Quiet, Dogs Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails

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Trails

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Trails Trails Trails Trails

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Openness and the natural scenery The openness of the area with chance to see wildlife & birds. We enjoy walking our dogs. It's also a great area for children's activities.

The wide open spaces where our children can run and play without worry of passing traffic. It's nice to have a little bit of quiet and nature within the city limits.

Non-traditional development - open space - no buildings or playgrounds. Peaceful.

Wide open spaces and quietness.

The solitude and expanse openness, peace, great place to walk and walk your dog openness, peace, great place to walk your dog The ability to go there and have some peace of mind. peaceful environment The ability to feel away from hussle and bussle The peace and quiet of the park. Also how great it is for exercising.

It's quiet and spacious.

It's peaceful Quiet.

Usually low traffic It is a great private area in the middle of residential area, peaceful quiet setting It's quiet and pretty.

I love that not many ppl go there.

The undeveloped, quiet environment. Walkable, easy access.

Quiet!

Quiet, tranquil A quiet, rejuvenating place. We love to walk in the forest or grasses and feel as if we're far from town.

Well kept secret Walking the dogs, the peace and quiet of the area wooded trails in a neighborhood the trail around the park I love walking through Warner Park. The trails let you walk through the nicest part of the park. trres and great running trails trails to run and hike on in a safe place hiking The walking pathes through the woods not overly developed. Minimal amenities and the trail.

The walking trails The walking trails

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Trails

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Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails

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Trails

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Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails

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Trails

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Trails Trails

trails the trail the trail The trails The trails through the wooded areas, which are hard to find in this area.

The trails that are surrounded by trees/marked trails Love the trails.

Hiking on the trails Walking Trails The limestone trails The walking trails The wooded trails The trails that meander through the woods and around the park.

The paths for running The trails That the path is not concrete or asphalt I love the trails but would love them even more if they weren't so rough. But not paved.

Softer surfaces are needed.

Grass/soft running surfaces Walking the trails Dirt trails the combination of trails through the forest and on grassland It's a good place to run on grass. Soft surfaces like grass and crushed limestone are good for running and help prevent injury.

Trails in the woods The trail system Trails Walking trails Trails Trails, unique to Manhattan.

The seclusion and primitive qualities. Trails for walking.

I love the variety of terrain - that there are some (limited and rough) trails, valleys, trees and prairie hilltop/sides.

Trails I love the wooded trail. I can't remember the exact name something like the "8 weeks trail" Trails Walking trails Outdoor trails space and trails through the woods It's a good place for a run.

Trails wood trail

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Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails

391

Trails, Beauty/Scenic

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Trails, Beauty/Scenic Trails, Beauty/Scenic Trails, Beauty/Scenic Trails, Beauty/Scenic

396

Trails, Dogs

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Trails, Dogs Trails, Dogs Trails, Dogs Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature

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Trails, Natural/Nature

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Trails, Natural/Nature

Â

Walk No cars! Good running trails.

The trails!

Just explore a little & walk the trails Secluded, but has good trails for walking/running The path. We have used it for walking, running, and biking.

Trails Trails through the woods Trails!

The wooded trails Trails I love the trails there. It is a nice break from the city that is steps away from where I live.

All the trails Military trail markers going through the park Trails and running paths The trails The trails Running tracks Connection to down below would be great if it connects to Linear someway I love the mix of prairie and woodland trails. Watching the wildflowers bloom throughout the season makes our daily walks to the park a joy.

Secluded trails. Hidden trails. Beautiful bridges.

Beautiful park to take a walk. Clean and nice paths.

I love all the different trails that cover a variety of scenery.

Scenic and woodsy, varied trails and slopes to choose from.

We love the trees and the trails for walking. We need more dog friendly parks because we do not have many in Manhattan. People with dogs love to walk here and should be allowed to walk on the trails without a leash (provided they are trained to an on-call command). We would love to see the trails developed in the wooded area more so than they are now, but would like the trees to stay. walking trails & I can walk my dog there that dogs are allowed and the trails It's a great place to hike with the dog I love the natural trails.

I love the trails at Warner Park and how it's left natural. It is a great way to be outside.

Amazing views, nice trails, rugged landscapes The very natural trail The hiking trails and that it is such a natural area within the city.

Natural area, walking trails The wooded areas and trails. Also that it is a large undeveloped area so there is no traffic or housing to distract from the nature experience The trails on east side of park, both man made and natural.

408

Trails, Natural/Nature

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Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature Trails, Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic Trails, Natural/Nature, Beauty/Scenic Trails, Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Trails, Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Trails, Natural/Nature, Peaceful/Quiet Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space Trails, Open space

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Trails, Open space, Dogs

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Trails, Open space, Natural/Nature

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Trails, Open space, Natural/Nature

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Trails, Open space, Peaceful/Quiet Trails, Peaceful/Quiet

It shares some great qualities with Northeast Park; it has soft surface trails, lots of easily traversable prairie grass space. The trails deserve some work in the way of re graveling or adding wood chips, but should NOT be paved because that really takes away from the nature feel!

Nature trails. Not concrete The natural setting. The trail.

Easy access to a more "natural outdoor experience" trails, etc The trails and fairly untouched nature.

Beatiful, natural backwoods trails among trees, that it is not crowded Natural trails and easy to navigate Natural beauty and trails It's natural beauty and trails Quiet, natural area. The trails and scenic areas are nice Its solitude. Its backwoods areas. Its trails.

Its multiple walking trails, its natural habitat, and its seclusion amidst surrounding neighborhoods.

The trails and the open spaces The open space and great views and the trails The open space, great trails!

The trails, open space to run, fly a kite, just wish there were bathrooms there. And more picnic tables.

Open space and walking trails Wide open space and trails Trails for walking and open space for my kids to just explore and run around.

Open trails. No sidewalks.

Open space, hiking trails open trails The open space and walking trail.

The openness and running trails Wide open spaces, running/walking trails, all in a residential area.

Openness, not busy, pretty trails...

Views, open spaces, trail connections I like the trails and openness about Warner Park.

I like the trails and the open space, and how big it is.

Open walking space/trails Openness, trails The open area and hidden trails.

The open space where you can walk on the "road" or on a "trail. You have some isolation and are able to see wild life. You can just walk or take the dog for a hike.

I love the nature trails and open fields.

It's wide open with lots of space. I really love the rustic part of the park and the trails. It gives me the feeling that I'm out in the country when I'm still in the city!

The wide openness of the park. The trails and the quietness of the park.

The trails down in the trees. It's peaceful and always well kept.

Fairly well maintained, a little overgrown at times bathroom

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Not much to love at Warner Park ? / Na All of the potential that the park presents for the community It's where I spend the best time of my life.

Q4: How do you usually travel to Warner Park?

Answered: 634

Skipped: 204

Q5: When you visit Warner Park are you most often...?

(Select all that apply) Answered: 632

Skipped: 206

Q6: How often do you/your family use Warner Park?

Answered: 632

Skipped: 206

Q7: How much time do you typically spend in Warner Park per visit?

Answered: 626

Skipped: 212

Q8: What features do you/your family use in Warner Park? (Select all that apply) Answered: 629

Skipped: 209

Q8: What features do you/your family use in Warner Park? (Select all that apply) # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Category Active Recreation Active Recreation Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country Disc Golf Disc Golf Events Events Natural Natural

Comment Soccer baseball fields cross country course X-C Cross country course Cross Country Course cross country Cross country course Xc meets Cross country meet Cross Country Races Cross Country meets Cross Country Meets We would like to use the disc golf course more course Disc golf Events are held there that we attend.

Only go for sponsered events Please keep it in it's natural state!

My grandsons love to go with me and look at all the nature running Trees The picnic table and shelter at the disc golf course.

Side note-the shelters really need to be fixed up.

Family photos Trails are very rough Dog poop baggies Go eat lunch in the parking lot once in awhile.

Sight seeing Have not been there in a long time. Do not know what is available NONE great for flying kites with kids Varies each time I visit Geocaching We used to go many years ago - but now I'm not sure where the entrance is?

Love the open space. In the past shelters, etc were targets of vandalism, drugs, etc.

Hills for sledding Walk there to see how it inpacts my neighborhood Just walking everywhere Running

Q9: If you use these amenities, please rate their condition: Answered: 613

Skipped: 225

Q10: Please indicate what priority level you would assign to developing the following amenities in Warner Park: Answered: 702

Skipped: 136

Q10: Please indicate what priority level you would assign to developing the following amenities in Warner Park: Answered: 702

Skipped: 136

Q10: Please indicate what priority level you would assign to developing the following amenities in Warner Park: # 1 2 3 4 5 6

Category Access Access Access Active Recreation Active Recreation Active Recreation

7

Disc golf

8

Disc golf

9

Disc golf

10 11

Dogs Dogs

12

Dogs

13

Dogs

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Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Natural Natural Natural

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Natural

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Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural

32

Natural

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Natural,Trails No change

Comment Open up access to the park so people can drive and enjoy the shelters.

Open the Park to automobiles during specific hours. Close and enforce its closure otherwise. paved path for ADA, elderly, and pedestrians to picnic shelters, Tornado shelter.

Would like to see Pickleball courts soccer/rugby practice and game fields Other family oriented activity locations: volleyball, kickball, softball, campfire, ... Not competitive sports.

A lot of the park neighbors play disc golf in the park, but it is located in the corner away from most neighbors. It would be nice if it was more centrally located in the park.

I believe the park would get more use by expanding the disc golf course to 18 holes.

I believe the disc golf course violates the original agreement with the Warner family's gift of land to the city. The heavy usage of certain areas, and mowing too short, is compromising the native grassland.

People need to make sure to have their dogs on leashes-this is an issue! Dogs and no leashes Wish whole park could be off leash like Marlette A dog park would be great! Tons of people take their dogs already, so having an of Leash area would be good. Also, I like the idea of improving/creating new trails for walking.

I do not have a dog but the dog run area would be nice if the people that let their dogs run free and don't clean up after their dogs would use it and not the rest of the park for their dog's run/potty area need to better maintain what you have first before you spend money on improvements I appreciate that this park gets mowed often enough to keep the grass soft enough to walk the entire park without stubble.

The deciduous trees/brush under and around red cedar trees need to be controlled.

It should be cleaned.

I like that it is a very natural space without all the above. There are enough of those things elsewhere.

I go there 4-5 times a week. Please keepit natural and don't add things to it.

I'd like to see the park to stay in a fairly natural state I appreciate this park because it is mainly undeveloped. Paving it and adding sculptures and structures would take away from that natural experience.

Keep green space green, limit development and pavement It would make a great nature center. Check out the Dillon Nature Center in Hutchinson.

Love the fact that Warner Park is a "natural" park.

No additional prairie should be disturbed by any new features When we lived in that area, I used the park a lot. I like the natural features of the park.

Protect the primitive nature of the park. Do not overdevelop. No camping Limited signs, etc. are Ok, but keep the park with a natural feel.

I sincerely hope that the natural character of the park will be maintained. Access to the park is excellent now with a minimum of problems.

Keep it as natural as possible.

Prefer park be kept as close to it's current natural state as possible.

I believe that Warner Park was designated as a particular type of park. Care needs to be taken so that this donation and requested usage be honored. I think the amount of improvements/developments must be approached cautiously.

Development of actual true nature trails. Not paved, but a multiple mile long network of dirt or limestone dust trail through the timbers.

Leave Warner Park alone. Do not try to make it another City Park.

35 36

No change No change

37

No change

38

Playground

39

Playground

40

Playground

41

Playground

42

Playground

43

Playground

44

Playground

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Trails Trails

47

Trails

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Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails

55

Trails

56

Trails

57

Trails

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Trails

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Trails

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Trails Trails Trails

63

Trails

Leave it as it is please don't mess up Warner Please don't do anything other than whatever is needed for safety and the bare minimum aesthics and to possiblly have an area that provides resaonable accomodation for the handicapped.

You need things for children I really like the fact that it does not have a playground. I have a 5 year old and it makes him focus on nature and some not a playground we could easily go somewhere else for.

We just moved to the neighborhood this summer and would love more kid friendly features like a playground. We would visit more often if there was one.

Park should be developed to become a more usable park for the community as a whole. More parking, shelters, trails, playground etc.

While keeping as much nature & green space as possible. Would be good for property values in Warner and Miller Ranch as well as Lee Mill Heights.

Would LOVE a playground. There isn't one for this part of town. Also wish the trail was marked better-mile markers would be a great addition!

I love that this area is natural and trails. I would not like to see a playground. I love the quiet Warner park desperately needs a playground. Miller Ranch does not have many playground options compared to the rest of the city. It is also a great place to stargaze and this should be supported.

Keep it as natural, undeveloped as possible....but improve the trails Make it more suitable for runners, perhaps? (If feasible) Do not pave the existing running trails. Chipped wood would be better and would maintain the integrity of the cross country course, which hosts local, league and regional championships routinely Please don't pave the trail. It is hard on peoples bodies for walking and running.

We are in need of softer surfaces to run on to avoid injury I a trail would be good to run on but NO paved or CEMENT trails. Please make them DIRT similar to Linnear trail or NE community park Warner park's trails should remain unpaved. Paving a trail really reduces a parks natural feel!

Concrete Trails are numerous, and not easy to run on.

Wood chip trail would be much better for running Mountain bike trails would bring me to this park more often It's hard to find where the trails end and where the disc golfing begins, and trails that lead to houses are hard to distinguish from trails that do not. It's very easy to get lost in/not know how to loop the park or make the walk longer or shorter.

I would love to see the trail become more developed, but not paved! Crushed limestone or woodchips would be awesome!

In my opinion, we do not need paved (concrete paths). The other parks in town paved sidewalks. Not good for walking or running on due to the 'hardness'. Furthermore it diminshes from the 'nature' of the park. We need to improve and add more crushed limestone trails in Manhattan. It is more natural and a GREAT surface for running, walking, and biking on.

Some benches along trails for older people (and others) Warner Park has the potential for tremendous trails and to be a very high quality Cross Country course - but - soil erosion has not ever, to my knowledge, been addressed. This greatly reduces user experience for walkers, hikers, joggers, Cross Country racers and fans. There is great opportunity to improve surfaces without resorting to concrete and without spending a fortune. There is also great opportunity to extend the running and racing trails into the valley and woods, greatly enhancing the Cross Country potential (and, really, all the potential uses) of the Park.

Update trails so easier to walk on~ Improve trail downhill on disc golf hole 4 & 9 Dirt bike trails Yes, main item would be better connection of trails behind disc golf (entrance by Arby's) with main Warner Park area where the cross country course is. (Don't know the exact name of each area.)

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Trails

The existing trails need to be cleared at least one a year by the forestry dept.

Save money to drop taxes Please do one of these for cico park too. We badly need a sidewalk on Avery ave. It is extremely dangerous.

I would like to see Christmas lights in the park.

Anything that is added to the park should be added down below. Paving the parking lot and road would be a help. water fountain and features to pond enhancing the wildlife. Docks would be nice.

When I checked "not a priority", I mean "please do NOT do this"

Q11: What special events/activities would you like to participate in at Warner Park in the future? (Select all that apply) Answered: 666

Skipped: 172

Q11: What special events/activities would you like to participate in at Warner Park in the future? (Select all that apply) Answered: 666

Skipped: 172

Q11: What special events/activities would you like to participate in at Warner Park in the future? (Select all that apply)

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Category Active Recreation Active Recreation Active Recreation Active Recreation Active Recreation All All All Camping Children Children Children Children Children Disc Golf

16

Dogs

17

Dogs

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Dogs Dogs Dogs Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural

26

Natural

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Natural No change No change No change None

32

Stars

33 34

Trails Trails

Comment Family activity locations (not for competitive sports): kickball, volleyball, softball, soccer, campfire, hiking, sports fields outdoor field events A couple of baseball fields Soccer goals, Playground, Water access water bottles, pets etc They all sound great. I think if these activities were well publicised, a lot of people would be interested and participate.

Oh these sound great!!!

I think all of those potentially could be interesting to me or others I know.

Very against overnight camping Children events Events for children Something for young children and their parents.

Children's Activties Watching my kid play on a playground that we can walk to!!!

Please no disc golf-absolute eyesore We need to be able to walk our dogs freely when a major event is not going on in Warner Park. Leashing a dog is unfair when dogs need to run after a ball, etc. Many neighborhoods around Cherry Hills like to use this park as therapy for our pets. We can walk freely in the woods with our dogs able to roam about with us. It is wonderful for us dog owners and our furry pets.

Anything that gives me a place to go lay on a blanket, be as close to nature as is possible in town, and not be blinded by lights, or overrun by dogs.

Dog activities Exercise my dog Dog play area. Where there are rest rooms and water. great ideas to keep in line with the very natural landscape of the park, which makes it different than the 'town' parks I value quiet time in nature.

We have enough formal parks. Keep it feeling natural and not paved and kids playground-y!

I enjoy being able to walk in a quiet and natural surroundings.

I value it as it is: a bit of natural open space that we can explore and discover.

If you provide anything at all, please make it the least intrusive, most minimum possible. Think nature, think simple. There is no need to fix something that isn't broken. If you want to improve the disc golf area where it is, I have no issues with that but leave the main park area alone. leave as is! (Natural) Open space is perfect - doesn't need to be programmed I live in this neighborhood and have my entire life. I like the park the way it is.

It's fine as it is. The more you add the more traffic you get and then you have litter, crime and vandalism.

I prefer solitary activities We would love star gazing! I remember when a group of people with telescopes would host this type of event once a year in Warner Park. We went every time.

Our daughter runs the trails at Warner Park, and it is a great resource for her and other cross country runners.

Use for runs and exercise.

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Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails, Picnic

Running Running Trails!

Running need to incorporate un paved bike trails bike hike events, triathalon Hiking, picnic As commented above.

Thanks!

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Q12: How important is it to maintain Warner Park as an example of a native prairie?

Answered: 649

Skipped: 189

Q13: Should vehicle access be allowed in Warner Park?

Answered: 689

Skipped: 149

Q13: Should vehicle access be allowed in Warner Park?

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Comment Parking and possible camping parking There is a parking lot at the south end to access the park, that is sufficient.

Don't open the road! Keep it natural/open space, this is a rarity and is really special. Some improvements to parking are probably needed, but be careful. more parking slightly expand existing parking, but not as to intrude to much into the natural space access to the picnic shelters Only parking for XC and similar events.

Open the park during published daylight hours only. Enforce its closure otherwise.

Yes, for handicap access consideration includes not only wheelchair access but also for those not in wheelchairs who cannot walk distances but would like to enjoy various parts of the park.

Yes but only to facilitate visitors with disabilities I'm not sure what current vehicle access is, but it should remain at a minimum.

I would lean towards no but I will also admit that I don't feel that I know enough about the park as it is.

Again, I love how quiet the existing park is. for people needing to get closer to shelters for events/birthday parties, access is important. limited vehicular access, other wise will become party central again.

While I strongly believe having a public space with no or very limited vehicle access is important, I am sensitive to the needs of the differently abled. If there's a push for that, then maybe some special vehicle permits, or a wheelchair accessible trail (pricey I am sure).

Please for god's sake don't let people drive in Warner Just running trails The current gravel road is not in good shape and I would prefer it be abandoned in favor of parking improvements at the entry point(s). Most important, though, is to not lace the area with concrete.

When gate was open before there was much drug use, minor drinking and late night noise.

I could support expanding the parking lots (though I think they are fine as is) however I think allowing cars in the park interior would ruin the parks natural beauty and endanger walkers and runners.

There is a reason why the city closed the park to vehicles decades ago, and those reasons remain. There is plenty of access now, with excellent parking lots near to both the golf course side and the cross country side. The litter is presently at a minimum (it was very bad during the period when vehicle access was allowed).

I used the park when people could drive through. The problem is at night. No one wants to pay the added cost of law enforcement to check every area of the park to make sure everyone is out and close the gate at dusk. Leaving a gate open 24-hrs a day is an invitition to vandalism, drug use and more serious crimes. Unless there is a methodology to pay for strict enforcement, do not open the gate.

Vehicle traffic will most definitely destroy the natural habitat.

Access to existing picnic shelters Vehicles going through the park may interfere with the wilderness aspect of the park I'd like vehicle assess to playground and picnic areas that have shade. With young kids it's hard to walk all the way to the picnic areas with food and young ones in tow.

Open for special event The parking area needs to be expanded by about 20-30% if a playground is added. The current lot is kind of dysfunctional and poorly designed.

Q14: Should any changes be made to the parking at Warner Park? (Select all that apply) Answered: 680

Skipped: 158

Q14: Should any changes be made to the parking at Warner Park? (Select all that apply) #

Category

1

Events

2

Events

3

Events

4

Lighting

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Lighting Lighting Lighting Lighting Lighting Lighting

11

Lighting

12

Lighting

13

Lighting

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Lighting, Safety Safety

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Comment I don't know the names of the parking areas, but whenever we go for a race there, it's awful! Not enough spaces, turn around places, or loading zones, and no safe way for cars and people to move at the same time.

Aside from Cross Country meets, the parking area is never so full that people can't use it. If anyhing, level it (the Warner Park road parking) and leave it.and le Parking should not be allowed inside except for special circumstances No lighting... the park is suppose to be closed at night. Fox and deer live in Warner Park; it would be sad to see them ran out of their home.

Please do not add lighting. This would be disruptive to star gazing and to the families with homes near the parking lot. no lighting needed because its an amazing space to gaze at the stars. Or just put up lights in certain areas maybe..

Lighting, if added, should follow proper nonNo lighting. This goes against the naturalness of the park PLEASE NO LIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe lighting, otherwise would vote for it to stay the same. I like that it is a natural park with limited extra man-made features.

Do not add lighting, the will ruin using Warner Park for astronomy and star gazing. We are a small group that does this, but it is one of the few place that is high and away from lights to look at stars.

Parking areas inside the park at limited locations encourage its use. Lighting for the parking areas would be unnecessary after dark, and would preserve its natural beauty, should the the park be closed at sundown.

Parking areas inside the park at limited locations will encourage its use. Lighting for the parking areas would be unnecessary after dark, and would preserve its natural beauty, should the the park be closed at sundown.

Lighting for safety, but not too bright to ruin the natural feel. Be careful about the amount of lumens each light has.

Please consider safety of visitors and neighborhoods if parking is expanded Do the best to accommodate but focus on a particular theme sometimes trying to do to much hurts the project It would be nice to expand and pave the parking off Warner Park Road only.

Thus space is to be maintained in a natural habitat!

Restrooms at the park entrance would be nice Once again, I don't have enough experience to provide an informed opinion Maintain the trails a couple times a year I guess it depends if there is increased traffic, if so, it should be improved, if not, it can stay the same make accessible close parking for disabled and elderly Only at the entrance area Just make sure that parking doesn't happen at the expense of the naturescape Additional trails made out of soft material. Limestone or woodchips. Not pavement.

Just please don't go tearing down all of the beautiful trees Softer surfaces on trails Running Trails I would like it to remain more undeveloped with emphasis on prairie, native plants, etc. than developed, but some playground equipment in one part would probably be helpful. In wood, not plastic, if;possible, more "natural" kind of play equipment.

I do not believe paved lots are needed, but quality materials and design that will control erosion is necessary. playground equiptment, improved trails and connections to neighborhoods.

I would not object to paving the existing lot on the west end of the park.

34 35

Erosion control on the east lot Shuss Road is busy, opening this road would cause traffic accidents; it is poor vision to a busy road.

Q15: Is there a need for additional pedestrian entry points to Warner Park?

Answered: 675

Skipped: 163

Q15: Is there a need for additional pedestrian entry points to Warner Park?

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Comment Pavement, lighting, No change is needed at this time Larger parking lot at Warner Park Rd as it is super crowded when parents pick up runners at the end of cross country practices & during cross country meets.

H Better trail head signage, trail map, etc.

I'm only aware of the disc golf area, and the open parking area in a neighborhood. More would allow easier in/out of the park.

Survey TOO LONG No change.

I don't know the neighborhoods well enough to say No change.

Centrally located Need better markings where entry points are. Many times cross private property to enter park. connected to neighborhoods, need more signage by the entrance from where Panera, etc. restaurants are I would like to see a safer route from the east parking lot to the Disc Golf Course. not sure where all are now, but north side doesn't appear to have much. a map of the trails would be helpful so we know where we are going add entry near Hickory Court, also connect the trail better from the bridges and east side to the south side near Hickory Court Neighborhood pedestrian access is important The Park should eventually tie in with Linear Trail New users often get turned around & can't find the original entry point and end up going through neighbor's yards to go back to a park entry point I think there needs to be better access from the parking to the main areas of the park. Like the trail from parking lots to Disc Golf course or to trails.

Signage/maps would make it much easier to utilize the full range of things to do in the park.

Maybe a Running Trail It's difficult to find the main part of Warner Park from the Shuss Drive entrance signage that shows what trails go where, as well as the other entries and exits to the park. I often end up leaving through someone's backyard because I can't find the main exit.

Signage Cherryhill Road, Overhilll Road Need bike/ped access from streets.

Perhaps on the north side, but part of an overall plan linking paths or bike routes. trail improvements to connect to entry points do not know. Have not visited for some time. HOpe to visit soon.

Park maps and signage. Make the parking more presentable - Shuss Rd. Entry points for pedestrians with map/wayfinder signs would be a nice touch - signifying that this is indeed a park to be cared for by the pedestrians entering the park..

Map of trails We have accessed through Cherry Hill not sure where other access points are other than the warner park rd entrance.

Access to the disc golf / dog park seems a little undocumented -- may be a lack of signage or info kiosk...

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Signs should be added at trail points to signify what goes to private property. I felt horrible the one time my husband and I took a wrong turn and had to come out in someone's back yard.

Off of Fordham Rd! Need doggie poop bag station at that entrance! not sure exactly but more access to neighborhoods more info about entering park area Paved lots, restrooms Some entry/exits are unclear. I've followed trails that have exited in someone's back yard! entry points need to be expanded to inside the park so that we do not have to walk so far to enjoy the activities in the park More regular mowing around the west entrance and pond area would be helpful and more attractive Steep hill Yes at Miller Ranch (Bradford Street) and Cherry Hill/Frodham if possible Maintaining mulch to prevent mud and runoff Walkway up to disc golf course needs some stone steps.

Drake road. There's already a path there underneath powerlines but it cuts through someone's yard. There are great trails that are right there and it would make a great access point.

I would not recommend opening the old entry at the top on Shuss that is blocked now. There is too much traffic on Shuss and not enough room. The disc golf parking already is an issues--people come out of that parking lot all the time and do not stop for traffic on Shuss. They don't even look for traffic that is coming down Shuss.

Maybe less rocky trail Improve path from shuss parking lot I was so lost at Warner Park, we had no idea where we were going, not enough signage or directions, couldn't find the disc golf course after over an hour of hiking.

Connect trails to surrounding communities The north path from the east lot would benefit from someone installing erosion control features.

Connect to more neighborhoods Trails ending at a residence is a bit awkward.

Some that don't require walking along Amherst avenue if you live in the area north of Amherst (north Dartmouth or Bethany). We usually walk to EJ frick down Amherst which is pretty scary with young children.

Not sure all over connecting to neighborhoods The area around the pond in Miller Ranch could use some minor improvements. It could also use better public access to the pond or benches maybe?

Paving the trails in that area may help too.

H Gravel trails instead of rugged terrain Access off Shuss road to disk golf is not the most accessible. Rocky, and steep in areas. Limiting to those who may have mobility issues.

Parking on neighborhood streets are a problem (congestion) when cross country meets occur...not that often, more of a nuisance on those days.

It would be nice to have trails to the park from the neighborhoods so kids can walk or bike to a play area.

Q16: Which user group(s) do you identify with, if any?

(Select all that apply) Answered: 684

Skipped: 154

Q17: Using the map below, please tell us in which area of Manhattan you live by selecting the corresponding number from the list of answer choices choices.

Answered: 688

Skipped: 150

Q17: Using the map below, please tell us in which area of Manhattan you live by selecting the corresponding number from the list of answer choices choices.

Answered: 688

Skipped: 150

Q18: Using the map below, please tell us in which neighborhood you live in by selecting from the list of answer choices. choices Answered: 248

Skipped: 590

Q18: Using the map below, please tell us in which neighborhood you live in by selecting from the list of answer choices. choices Answered: 248

Skipped: 590

Q19: How many years have you lived in this neighborhood?

Answered: 249

Skipped: 589

Q20: Which status best describes you? (Select all that apply) Answered: 247

Skipped: 591

Q21: What is your age?

Answered: 677

Skipped: 161

Q22: What gender do you identify with?

Answered: 674

Skipped: 164

Q23: If any, what are the ages of the children in your household? (Select all that apply) Answered: 670

Skipped: 168

Q24: How did you learn about this survey? (Select all that apply) Answered: 674

Skipped: 164

Q25: Do you have any other comments about Warner Park that you would like to be considered in the master planning process?

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Category Access Access Access Access, Open space

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Access, Open space

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Active recreation

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Cross country

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Cross country

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Cross country

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Cross country

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Cross country, Dog park

Comment I've heard of the park and seen signs, but it seems hidden from the public.

Great park, seems almost unknown to many I speak with.

More info about where to go in and out of the park. I'm not sure where to even go into it anymore lets open up the park...more accessibility...more user friendly...make it a true community park Please open up the park...so that we can enjoy the park and expand the activities available within the park...keep natural areas but do not limit other outdoor activities...lets make Warner Park a use park as opposed to a gated park with limited use now.

Make space useable for sports (baseball, softball, etc) This is a nice open space. Should be opened up so family's and groups can enjoy picnics etc. Boy Scouts would enjoy over night camping. Seems like right now only the cross country teams use it.

It is a great cross country course.

Warner park is a wonderful, quiet, well-used natural park. It is well maintained and rarely is there trash or debris. People of all ages can be seen walking in all kinds of weather. It is well used and maintained during and after cross country meets. Children love running and exploring. It has not been hampered by traffic or drinking parties. It is nice to see kids creating their own play which is different than seen on one of our city playgrounds. Thank you for respecting this lovely, unique portion of our city. It's a gem.

I am the starter for the manhattan Invitational Cross-country and before attended the meet as a coach from Salina South and Shawnee Mission North. Since 1970. The park is very important to the distance running community.

We love Manhattan (been a resident for 22 years)! We pay a lot in taxes here in Cherry Hills as well donating to the Sunset Zoo, etc. to support our lovely town. Please do not take our comments as harsh criticism, but a means to fix an ongoing issue. We love to see the dogs and people around our neighborhood engaging in healthy exercise. Having traveled around the US and abroad significantly, we realize Manhattan is not such a park friendly town. However, making more trails and trying to connect Linear Trail is positive. We hear only a few people saying they want dogs on a leash because some dog owners fail to watch after their furry friends. With a stroke of a pen, this city has pushed all dog owners to two outside parks (Washington-Marlatt and Fairmont) and into dog pens that end up being "dry lots" and harmful overall to dogs (i.e. Fairmont Park and CiCo). Most people in Manhattan with dogs want to go to a park to walk on the trails or to throw a ball without someone saying "Please put your dog on a leash" or being confronted with a ticket.

We have no park in our town with lengthy trails that allow people and their pets to walk freely. Warner Park allows the comfort for dogs and people to run, walk, play, and trail in the woods where it is beautiful and peaceful. The trees are terrific and provide a canopy on hot days. The bridges are wonderful to cross and were constructed by Boy Scouts. The trails at Warner need fine tuning and need to be longer. The fine State of Oregon and the State of Minnesota have found a way to integrate trail parks that are dog friendly (off the leash) in their cities with parks that dogs have to be leashed (like Frank Anneberg). What are their results? More people are exercising in the dog friendly parks. There are lots of reasons such as women with children or without children want to go where there is more activity and movement, etc. Sign postings are essential and critical and indicate what type of park it is before entering. It is time the City of Manhattan allows people without dogs and people with dogs to trail together in town. If you expand or make improvements at Warner Park, why not integrate and expand this into a larger trail park where people can walk freely with their pets?

This park should be kept as natural as possible. It would be nice to have some tree clearing for longer trails, pave the main entrance, and provide a water pump to fill water bottles or give our dogs a drink (if possible). Cross country running and training is already being utilized in this park so; more trails would be nice. We also enjoy watching the races. There are signs needed such as: “Warning: On Race days only, dogs must be on a leash.” This is for obvious reasons. And……"You are now entering Warner Natural Reserve (or Park). Advisory: This is a dog friendly trail park. For the comfort of all park users, please keep your dog on a leash, if your dog does not respond to voice commands. Remember to pick up the dog pooh to keep our park clean. Walking on trails are at your own risk."

Allowing dogs to run and play, to trail with their owners, and then having the option for a picnic is what Manhattan desperately needs.

It should be noted, we have seen over the years more children getting hurt and falling when riding their bikes on the bumpy trails in Warner Park than problems with dogs. Most of us have to walk in the woods to avoid the “dog patrol.” We should not have to travel X amount of miles to allow our dogs the freedom to run and play or to worry we will receive a ticket if they are not on a leash. In our

Cherry Hill neighborhood, we adore Warner Park and would like a chance to be heard. This park deserves to be a nature park with the help to make more trails. Please do not place playground equipment and such in this fine natural setting. Please do not remove the trees that are healthy or provide a natural setting. Our neighborhood would be willing to assist in this project and we would like to be included in the planning. We would like the opportunity to meet with you folks about this project. Just notify our HOA President, Sandy Butler, and she will notify all of us.

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Cross country, Restroom

13

Cross country, Restroom

14

Disappointed

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Disc golf Disc golf

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Disc golf

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Disc golf

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Disc golf

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Disc golf

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Disc golf

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Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf Disc golf

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Disc golf

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Disc golf

Please prioritize permanent Restroom facilities for Warner Park. For cross country meets, should have at least four stalls for each male and female Restrooms, plus running water to wash hands. Also, I would like you to consider a storm shelter for the park, to provide protection in case of severe weather. If funds are available, please consider a permanent building that could serve as concession stand for events, such as that at Eisenhower Middle School (baseball field).

I am the Manhattan HS XC Coach.There is a rich history of cross country running at Warner Park. It is one of the most beautiful and natural courses left in the state. I hope that it can be preserved from becoming just another urban development. Restrooms, however would be extremely helpful for our cross country practices during the fall. Our teams run there several days a week. Thank you!-Susan Melgares We went expecting a park, something to do. Hiking, playground, anything. When we saw it wasn't, we were disappointed and headed home. Maybe "park" isn't the correct title, because it's fine for what it is, but the name is deceiving.

It would be great to see the disc golf course expanded to 18 holes.

18-hole disc golf course would be great at this location, the terrain is perfect for a good course Warner park is big enough and the terrain would allow an awesome 18 hole disc golf course which could definitely be the best in the area.

The elevation changes and wooded areas of Warner Park is perfect for disc golf. If anyone is worried that additional fairways would create additional wear & tear on the park, they don't understand the sport. When a golfer decides to play, he/she usually wants to play/exercise longer than it takes to play 9 fairways. So they usually play 18 or more holes. By adding fairways to the course, you would actually lessen the wear & tear because people would likely only play each fairway once per visit, rather than 2 or three times per visit... and adjacent to neighbors 1 time rather than 2 or 3 times. The effect would be similar to having three soccer games on the same field, rather than just one game.

I hear that there's been a big struggle for the people who play disc golf. I've heard their voices have been ignored. I'm glad to see disc golf on this survey. It's a sport being played by all ages and feel the expansion to 18 holes would be a great decision on the M.P.R. Dept.

I'm thrilled you're considering updating Warner Park. The disc golf course is a great amenity here in Manhattan. Make everything even better please!

Please expedite completion of the disc golf course as proposed 8 years ago...no more purposeful delays. Live by the defined of intent of park and rec and do you due diligence to promote recreation that has been requested for years.

Updated signage on disc golf park course and new teepads would be a great improvement to the course.

18 hole disc golf course Finish the disc golf course as promised..and presently funded.

Excellent disc golf course! Would love to see 18 holes!

Warner Park is a great disc golf course it should be expanded More tunnel shots through the woods!!!! Please!!!

Warner Park is always a fun and surprising disc golf course. The area looks great. Ur parks keep bringing us back!

The terrain of the park is perfect for a disc golf course. 9 holes does not give the opportunity to show what the course has to offer.

People travel from all over the state to play the disc golf course and they love it! I have ran a few sucsessful tournaments there already. With an exspansion to 18 it would allow more players to be able to compete at the same time. This one of the best pieces of land for disc golf and would also be the least amount of work to use the property to its full potential. Cant wait for warner to be 18 holes! Thanks!

There is a new park right up the street for plants, scenic views, trails, etc. This course needs to be used to expand the disc golf course.

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Disc golf Disc golf, Dog park

34

Disc golf, Dog park, Playground

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Disc golf, Natural Disc golf, Restroom

37

Disc golf, Trails

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Dog park Dog park

40

Dog park

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Dog park

42

Dogs

43

Dogs

44

Erosion

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Fear of crime

Build 18 hole golf course, and pave trail leaning from shush parking lot to disc golf holes I love taking our dog to off leash areas and we love playing frisbee golf there.

Beautiful park. An update in parking and lighting, plus ease of access and paved paths would increase interest an function of park.

Would love to see a 18 hole disc golf course, dog park, play ground which would increase popularity. Look what it has done for Fairmont.

I would love to see Warner expanded to 18 hole disc golf while the park as a while is conserved as for its natural beauty Get some toilets and 18 hole disc golf The park is fine as is sans the ridiculously steep trail leading to the park. I know many would like to see the disc course expanded.

Warner is a fun and challenging course with decent distance, but it would be better and would attract the rest of the discing community if it had 18 holes A decent sized Dog park (like Fairmont) , not as small as Cico Bike paths, and a dog park would be amazing I like the idea of a large, fenced dog park. Many local residents don't lease their dogs at the park & it often causes issues or raises concern for those who obey the rules. Hopefully adding a specific area for those users would help them better abide by park rules.

I once lived near Warner Park and it does seem it could use some help to be a little more accessible. With that said, I filled out this survey simply to be heard on dogs...and lights. There is almost no public place to go anymore to avoid the dogs. I like dogs. I have an appropriately sized dog for the yard I have. It is disturbing to be at a city park, and/or on sidewalks, and or in my own front lawn, and stepping in dog feces. Even if an owner picks up the dog droppings, the residue is still on the grass, or sidewalk. I can't even find a place to lay a blanket on some grass for lunch, run around barefoot, or let my little children run around at the park. It is causing the natural areas of the parks in town to be almost unusable for that sort of activity.

Maybe more trash cans to encourage people to appropriately curb their dogs. Way too many people allow their dogs to defecate in the park and make no effort to clean up after them.

Add more trash cans. People do not pick up after their dogs, because there are limited trash cans and no one wants to carry the mess.

If there were more trash cans, I feel this problem would improve.

Warner Park is a great potential asset that can be greatly enhanced by some simple but critically important erosion control. Every time I venture up the valley from the east, or around the upper parts of the park, I am disappointed by the sight of ever more soil erosion.

The trails seem to be continually crumbling away and simply dumping gravel on them is not sufficient. Just a bit of design and material upgrades and regular attention could improve their state and enhance their longevity tremendously. In addition, the prairie grasses are, like Sunset Park and the various County parks, continually abused by simply mowing over them like they are lawns. Prairies are not lawns and should not be treated this way.

Seems like everybody enjoys the park the way that it is.

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Fear of crime, Lighting Hours

48

Maintenance

49 50

Maintenance Maintenance

51

Minimal change

Warner, at one time, allowed vehicle traffic, it just caused numerous problems from fires (not in the grill areas) to under aged drinking just to mention a few problems. I would think a nightmare for RCPD. If opened more, there needs to be increased patrolling to prevent inappropriate actions and behavior by juveniles and adults.

Increased lighting might help control behavior as well as enforcing posted rules.

Please consider park hours of operation as a factor. Please consider means to keep the park fully closed after sundown.

I wish it would get mowed more often. Small children have a hard time running and playing with pets or flying a kite. Mowing might reduce the snake population--but I'm not sure?

Trash and recycling would be nice people should be encouraged to clean up after themselves, it's trashy I strongly recommend that only minimal or no changes be done to Warner Park. It is a gem not duplicated by any other Manhattan park.

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Minimal change Minimal change

I'm all for small aesthetic improvements at Warner, but I'm afraid it could turn into a paved, crowded mess.

Just update what is already there. Don't add a bunch of new stuff.

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Minimal change Minimal change, Money Minimal change, Open space

57

Minimal change, Trails, Dogs

58 59 60

Money Money Money

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Natural

62

Natural

63

Natural

64

Natural

65

Natural

66

Natural

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Natural Natural Natural

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Natural

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Natural Natural Natural Natural Natural

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Natural

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Natural Natural Natural Natural

Be careful to not change too much. Conditions of the park being given to the Any improvements should be within the existing budget; no more tax related increases If you add too many activities& extra buildings, the park can become too crowded & the openness & beauty will be destroyed. No more quiet walks.

Provide some very basic trimming to the 8-week trail. Get animal control to enforce "all dogs must be on leash". Leave this as one park that can continue to be enjoyed for what it is. Aside from possible improvements for the handicapped, minor signage and upkeep, leave it what how it is and spend funds elsewhere.

Don't spend tax $$$ there. Lower taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manhattan needs to reduce improvements to facilities in lieu of reducing tax debt.

Please invest I believe that the availability of recreational parks in Manhattan is sufficient for our needs. Keeping Warner Park as a natural preserve is more important than increasing its use for recreational purposes.

Please leave it a natural area - Manhattan has very few of these. Keep cars out of the area and no lighting. The animals that live there will be chased out if you add lights and cars. The fox and deer are great to see.

Leave it mainly unmolested Legally, it was given as a GIFT to the city!!!!!!

You should respect this gift!

Period!

Leave it the natural area it is.

The park is a joke because your sigstates "natural Prarie" yet you let joggers destroy the trails with running tracktion,vehicle and mower damage that cuse run off.Landscaping the natural Prairie and don't let new growth develop with all the cutting and mowing.Not to mention all the metal stakes and plastic banners that eventually litter the area.Your office and so called Maintnance is the cause of erosion and those of the joggers and trucks setting up for events.Let the park be natural and screen it from neighborhood housing areas so that this prk could seem natural and not man made.You suck all the relaxation out of every park exposing parks to roads and houses. All the park needs are benches in various areas for rest and enjoyment.Leave the park natural and stop the madness with all your suggested development.

I really like Warner park. I like that's it's a natural area with pretty decent trails to run, bike, or walk on Maintain the concept of natural setting but refine the access and amenities to better serve park users.

Keep the large school events out of it. They are interrupting the wild life.

We applaud this survey's efforts to better use this great outdoor facility. Our grandchildren need to return to the outdoors with their families.

Everything else gets "improved". Can't we just leave at least one park alone? keep it natural and family oriented. Let us enjoy the outdoors with minimal structures. We can go to city park for all that extra stuff.

I like the solitude and quiet of Warner Park, as well as how natural it is.

It should remain undeveloped and left a natural beauty.

Great park, should maintain natural beauty if possible.

Warner Park is a very important space for me and people in my neighborhood that improves our quality of life. The park needs to be protected from loss of territory to housing development.

Please don't destroy this beautiful, natural park by imposing man-made "grand ideas". Just let it be!

Keep it as natural as possible Just please keep the park in it's natural setting. It's a nice, peaceful area that families frequent for relaxation and the trails Warner Park is an asset to our community. Love that it is natural and just a bit different from our other parks.

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I always prefer areas that are more natural than not. =) No prairie should be disturbed or destroyed The reason we LOVE Warner park is because it's so natural. We feel like we are away from the city life but in reality are not. I wouldnt love seeing pavement or signs in the park. It takes away from the natural feeling. I'm sure most outdoor enthusiasts would agree.

I believe the current trails in Warner park can be improved. The surface is uneven. I believe using limestone or woodchips could help improve the surface of the trail. I understand the rolling hills create erosion, however, maintenance simply comes down to man power and financial resources. This could be an excellent running/walking/biking trail if improvements are made. The wood chip trails in Eugene, Oregon and highly popular. I believe Manhattan has the potential to be a great place for nature trails.

Parks are for people, not cars. A short walk to amenities from the parking lot at the edge of the park is part of the enjoyment of nature and the outdoors. want to leave it natural, so the anmial will stay in the park Keep it rustic and underdeveloped Do not make it a new housing area. We need the park as a nature area. leave it as natural as possible It would be nice to preserve the natural beauty as much as possible.

We need to preserve the prairie as much as possible I think maintaining the parks natural beauty should be to priory. The park is minimalistic, but that is part of its charm. I think small modernizations are great, but doing too much would be just as bad as doing nothing.

I love the park just the way it is. It gives me the chance to get out in nature without driving out of town. The prairie and forest portions are very peaceful to spend time in.

One improvement that could be made is to connect the park to the linear trail through addition of a bike lane on Stagg Hill Rd and up the hill on Allison Ave. Currently that hill is a bit treacherous to ride up. Once up the hill, however, it is easy to get over to Miller Parkway and then the park.

All of the modifications made during the past two decades have been positive. There are several very nice trails, and nice bridges over parts of the ravine. The disc golf course is well done (it borders my property) and heavily used. In the absence of vehicle access to the shelters, there is no longer the collection of beer cans and other trash we used to encounter there after weekends and to my knowledge the crime rate there has gone to zero (not the case when vehicles were there). I think the city would be making a terrible mistake to allow cars inside the park. Please ask the RCPD if they will be able to patrol inside the park at all hours. Please ask if you can ensure that there will not be beer parties there every weekend in good weather. This does not happen now when vehicles cannot drive the beer to the shelters. Finally, remember that the city of Manhattan does not have any other "natural park". As one of my colleagues (who does not live near the park) once said, "I thought a park was a place to go to get away from the cars." We need places like this. Nearly all land in Kansas is private. We need to retain SOME (not all, of course) land as both public and natural area.

What other Manhattan park offers this?

Warner Park has always been the most special outdoor space in Manhattan for me. My childhood home backed up to it, the park was where I played, built forts, and learned to love the outdoors. That love of the outdoors has only grown as I've gotten older. I'd like to see the park remain as close to its current recent state as possible.

Please keep it natural.

I moved to this neighborhood because I heard that Warner Park could not be legally "developed" into Anneburg or Cico-like parks. I wanted a "wilderness" park near me.

I would be very disappointed to see cars and parking lots within the park itself. That is what makes it special--you have to be on foot (or bike I guess) to utilize the park.

Please preserve native prairie. You can't get it back after it's gone.

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No changes

Question #12 is misleading. Yes, I would like the park to stay in it's natural state. I do NOT, however, want to see the wholesale removal of cedars and other non-native plants.

I would prefer to see this park as more of nature walk area than an amusement location. We have a variety of parks centered around activities, socializing, and children playing...it is nice to have something in town nestled away for a nice nature trail. It is a hidden jewel.

Leave natural.

My great grandfather (Kern Warner) had a vision of what he wanted for Warner Park. A natural park - no groomed areas. Sounds like city is looking to change that. Park has become a private area for Miller Ranch/Arbor Heights neighbors. Would love to talk about this to P&R Board.

Would love to see it stay as close to nature as possible.

Warner park harbors a number of deer, fox, coyotes, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums. Too much improvement will destroy their habitat.

In keeping with Warner's vision, it should be rustic, not improved in ways that violate his plan I have lived adjacent to Warner Park since 1984. I have noticed a lot of damage to the native grassland habitat during the last few years. MHK boasts of it's Flint Hills heritage, and it would be appropriate to maintain Warner Park to its original agreed upon purpose.

Keep green space green, limit pavement and development Warner Park is great! A restroom facility could help a lot in attracting events and possibly not having to drop porta-potties. My kids like the park because it has an "untouched" feel and lends itself to exploring. It would be nice to have some sort of a stage or pavilion for volunteer meetings, competition awards, tournament concessions etc. etc.. If you do nothing it is great, but it would be good if it had some amenities to attract events and school field trip opportunities.

I am ok with expanding parking near entrance at Warner Park Road, and at Shuss Road, with minimal lightining and /or a shelter or restroom, but I would like to see the respond of the park kept more natural. Hiking and walking trails, limited signs. Expansion of disc golf is OK, if done carefully.

Warner Park is a beautiful example of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Our street ends at an entrance to the park, and we utilize the green space and trails daily. Please leave open prairie space the focus of this park. We love the opportunities for exploration and open ended play the park offers our kids. I would like to see the park cleaned up better after it is used for cross country races though. I pick up trash in the park much more frequently after those events.

Please do not put a paved path around the park. It will destroy it's natural beauty. And if you decide to make the disc course longer, please don't make it too easy.

One of the good things about this park is that it isn't over developed. Putting too many modern updates or structures in it would distract from its natural appeal. The only real improvement I would like to see is for the trials to be marked better or lined with gravel so that we don't end up going off the trail by accident and getting lost.

Warner park could be much better utilized for mixed use. A playground would be useful. Better management of the grassland area would be useful with educational materials. Keeping it as grassland only is really unfortunate as I think it could be used both as a natural area and as a playground. It would also be good to consider adding a tennis court and basketball court. The Miller Ranch neighborhood is poorly served with developed parks. Careful and thoughtful mixed use would be a huge plus.

My recommendation would be to develop the park right near the Warner Park Rd parking lot, or over by the pond that connects Cherry Hill and Miller Ranch South to Warner park. A modest development would be beneficial to the neighborhood without detracting from the natural areas.

Upgrading the trails to connect to the disc golf area and/or Target would be good especially with a trail map and/or signage. The trails are a huge plus for the park.

The parking lot off of Warner Park rd is a bit of a mess. It needs to be expanded and updated a bit to work better.

Additional lighting should be carefully considered as several neighbors in Miller Ranch and surrounding areas go there to view stars and look through telescopes.

You should contact the HOAs for Cherry Hill and Miller Ranch to get their opinions.

Keep it simple

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Keep it the same Please don't make too many changes.

Leave Warner park alone, there are plenty of other parks that offer amenities.

Be sure to check the legality of whether the terms of the original gift of the land from the Warner family would be violated by the proposed improvements. If they do violate the terms, the land reverts back to the family. Thank you.

It is a relatively undeveloped park. Leave it as is as much as possible. No need for expensive amenities or the upkeep required of them.

Please don't make it a popular park. It would ruin the appeal for the people who frequent it. As it is there is little to no trash or excessive noise. please do NOT screw it up Needs to stay about the same except for paving parking lot and road Please do not fill Warner Park with new development of houses.

There is always someone who wants to mess up a good thing.

We love it as it is.

I visit the park, mostly for runs, about 3 times/week. It is perfect as is!

There is a definite need in our area for open space that is left in a natural state. A space that is quiet and peaceful, not filled with cars and asphalt, city lights and playground equipment! Nothing can beat the beauty of nature - it soothes the eye and the soul.

I am glad to have open space to walk to and enjoy every day.

The beauty of Warner Park is that it's open and rustic! You can get away from the people and cars and feel like you're out in the country without having to leave the city!

I value it as a bit of open space that we can all explore -- and discover.

This park used to be open, I used to live on Warner Park in the 70's. It was very nice to be able to walk it and drive it, there has never been much down there to be a park. (swings, things to do, etc. Let's make it useful...disc golf has thrived and a lot of people love that.

It has a nice view.

The love the park as it is. Its beautiful and a great open space. PLEASE NO DOG PARK! I walk my dogs and run there daily. I love that it is open with trails and doesn't get a lot of traffic. I see wildlife there all the time and appreciate that it has been kept native. It is a hidden treasure and I hope it stays that way! It is well-maintained by parks & Rec staff trash emptied regularly, dog waste bag dispensers refilled often, trails maintained, etc. A beautiful place!

I LOVE that Warner park is still largely "undeveloped" and I can go out into nature and not feel like I'm in a curated park that is no longer natural. PLEASE consider keeping parts of it open to the adventurous and do as little "improving" as possible.

Playground and improving the signage on the path are the only two improvements i would like to see. I like the open space and idea that the park is more natural than our other city parks.

We love the proximity to Warner Park and want it to remain largely untouched. Would love the addition of a playground in addition to the open space. And some maps showing the trails/addition of new running trails would be fantastic!

A playground for the children. There are so many children in the surrounding neighborhoods with no playground that is a reasonable distance away! The point of a park is to join people together, join the community.

My husband grew up in Manhattan from 9th grade on. He has found memories of Warner park and loves it! I would like to go more often with our kids, as it is close to our house but would like more kid oriented areas.

We really would appreciate the addition of a kids playground. City park's playground is often overcrowded and tough to park. Cico's playground equipment is pretty limited and outdated.

Don't change it too much. I love how scenic and remote it is yet it is still close by. It does not need a playground, or other structures built.

Playground for kids is the a must A small activity or play area for under 10 year old children & grandchildren.

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Please put a playground in. There are none anywhere near our neighborhood. We used to live 5 block from city park and miss all the opportunities to walk our kids to a park, which was almost a daily thing for us. Also - please do something for walkers/bikers on Amherst. It is super scary! We need to be able to get from north Amherst to the park without putting our lives in jeapordy.

A playground within walking distance would be great, parking for visitors and to meet up with other outside neighborhood, Restroom, running water (potty training families think about this when choosing where to take children.) Access needs to be easy and we'll marked, yet try to balance current residences privy and safety.

Parks draw families, it need family friendly items such as playground, restrooms, etc, sandbox area Improve pond Modern Restrooms are a high priority !

Some signage about the history of the park and the area should be added close to the main entry points.

We would appreciate improved trails that are not muddy. Bark chips wash out and need to be replaced. Please add crushed limestone to all of the paths so we can walk without getting muddy.

Developing the walking trails more like Annenberg park It is a beautiful part of Manhattan that is deserving of attention. Living in the neighborhood and having our home back up to the park, we would not enjoy the wooded area being impacted as it would impact our privacy. We would not enjoy a trail to our yard, that feels like it could impact our security.

Paved trails would ruin the prairie feel and experience of the park!

I would like to see more handicap access trails. Not the entire park, but main walkways to allow handicap wheelchairs enjoy the picnic areas, or use of parts of a paved trail We like that this Park is a place to adventure through the ravine and wander the trails. A trail loop would be great as would some trail maintenance but no need to over program or overdo this "wilderness" in the city.

Although I am a longtime MHK resident, this year was the first time I walked the trails. I plan to explore it more in the future and become more familiar with it. Enjoyed feeling like we were out in the country.

Additional/improved hiking trails are a high priority Please do not pave any of the limestone trail system. I think there is enough concrete all over the city that people can bike and push there strollers on. I also think if you pave it, it no longer is a trail but just a side walk. really like this park, and the idea of making the hiking trails into a look, and art classes No hard surfaces for additional trails. Very bad for exercise. Soft surfaces are the best for trails.

I want more soft surface trails, not paved paths!

Manhattan has great access to public park spaces and great public park spaces when compared to similar sized towns in the region!

Furthermore, Manhattan provides a diversity of places to do a wide variety of activities. The city and outlying roads are safe and their are rugged trails like lower linear for biking. Furthermore, there are really good parks for families with young children and multi-uses Cico, City, and Northeast are exemplars of this! But, further development isn't always the answer. Washington-Marlatt, a.k.a. Top of the World, Northeast, and Linear are all great because good effort is put into maintaining them as more rugged places. They are like Konza without the drive, and that's a really nice thing for a large group of people--walkers, runners, bikers, and their variety of reasons for getting out! Paving trails makes it only a little bit nicer for bikers, but less so for everyone else, says anyone who has been blasted past by a bike on a hard surface going 25-35 mph.

Even though I've been there before, I only recently learned there was more trail space than I thought (via city website). I originally learned what the park had to offer by going with someone who had been there before, but he clearly didn't know the extent of it. Good signage with the trails would help ensure people made full use of it.

Wide running trails that are not made of pavement.

A soft surface trail will be the best option for runners. Manhattan has plenty of paved paths and roads Please do not pave any trails. There is enough concrete throughout Manhattan, but not a lot of grass/crushed limestone/soft surfaces to run on.

Kansas needs more un paved biking trails. I am starting a mountain bike club and would love to have a home trail at warner park.

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More dirt trails for running.

I'd like to see the linear trail system extended. It could connect with Warner Park. I'd like to see crushed limestone used for any extensions on linear trail. There are plenty of areas around town with paved sidewalks. A crushed limestone trail is a nice change from always running on pavement.

MAYBE SOME SITTING AREAS, ALONG THE TRAILS This park is unique in the fact that it has trails and is geared towards adults and older children. There are several parks in Manhattan geared towards children.

I really enjoy the trails in Fairmont Park and at the Top of the World. Warner Park would be a great addition to the list of available trails in manhattan.

Just make trails & access points nicer. Easier to use.

I enjoy the park as it is currently, especially the trails.

Stroller friendly trails are very important to our family.

Love Werner the way it is. Would be nice if trails could be managed better after rain etc. some areas get muddy, resulting in trail being unuseable. But mowing schedule etc is very good during summer.

I would hate to see it "commercialized" as that is the beauty of the park. Yes, trails need improvement as they are uneven and muddy at times but overall it is a very nice, serene park.

More walking trails with work out areas Dirt paths Paved walking paths connecting neighborhoods might attract more visitors to the park.

Emphasis on good trail networks suitable to cross country running/training.

I love the idea of incorporating multiple outdoor activities into the park. Right now the park is very limited to a few activities (disc golf, camping, and some trails). The trails should be connected so that they go through the entire park. In addition, it is very difficult for community members to know the mile markings for the open space. Therefore, I feel there should be a trail that is marked with signs and maps. I also feel the open area would be great for a dog park if allowed. Painting and photography and art are GREAT community events that could be held there! Although with what I have stated will limit or complete eliminate the ability to host cross country meets there.

Reason for dog park is to keep unleashed dogs off the trails. Having dogs run loose takes the enjoyment out of visiting the park.

I like the open space that Warner Park provides but t he park is completely under utilized. I think improving the trails in the park for walking/running/biking would add a lot of value to the park for the nearby residents. There are a lot of runners/walker/bikers using Miller Pkwy. Improving the trails would minimize impact on the open space but also add a safer recreation space for residents.

Location is great since its at the end of my street & well its great for everyone since its in the midst of numerous neighborhoods. I like that its a great large open space for my dogs to run and play fetch. It would be great if a fenced in area was made for a dog park. SO many people take their dogs to this park. Also there are several random trails through the woods, but no signs marking the trails..need signs.

Like the idea of improving the shelters and Restroom facilities. Thinking back to the questionnaire, a trail map for the woods would be nice.

Local kids are trashing up the park. Some of the paths are dangerous especially after a rain.

It's great! ...just better connection between the two main areas, maybe better signage/way-finding, maybe lighting, continued/improved maintenance of trails so they will be in better condition when it is wet.

We love taking our dog on walks through nature. Found the trails of Warner park poorly marked and difficult to follow. Access to a trail map would be very helpful. (even if it was just online) Maybe it is just me, but the park's features seem a little "undocumented". It isn't immediately obvious to someone new where the dog park / disk golf areas are (or how to best approach them).

Much better signage and maps at the entry points and throughout the park. The signage must include distances and park features. We spent over an hour trying to find the disc golf course and never found it. If there were maps, they were not clear and we were completely lost on the trails. Overall a very frustrating experience trying to find the disc golf course.

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A clearly marked and mapped trail system is the most important improvement my family would be looking for. no Plan but don't take forever trying to decide I would very much like to be involved in the planning of Warner Park. I think it is a very special place. I am very surprised the city is talking about additions to warner park when it seems they do not have the budget to even maintain it. Sandy Butler More park vigilance A multi-use park provides a reason for more people to use the facility. Just having a park is not enough, it needs to be maintained and updated to meet the needs of the users. I appreciate the chance to provide input to the city.

Not at this time.

Use Lawrence Rim Rock as an example of amenities that are useful and beautiful na Please do not taint this town with PC nonsense...."What gender do you identify with?" We're better than that!!!

Public meetings would be great. Not sure if that is part of this process? / not at this time No please see comment about Cico park above. not used enough Hire an outside landscape architecture firm to do the Master Plan (with Wyatt, Casey, and Eddie's hands still involved). Please let Wyatt and the other MPR staff focus on a few project at a time - not 10-15.

Other than that, I think the master planning process should consider how the topography can allow for great designs to emerge. Work with the landscape - not against it.

Thank you for realizing the impact and importance of improving our park experience.

Gender and sex are the same. If there is confusion about this, they need counseling. Please don't use politically correct terminology and reinforce confused individuals. no It is an outstanding park, a lot of history.

It's a beautiful park with loads of potential. nope no.

This property is a priceless gift to Manhattan that should be updated, promoted and maintained. Thanks for beginning the process. I love the location!

Thanks for asking.

It's a great place, in the late 50s/early 60s our Boy Scout unit hike there from mid-Manhattan and spend the night. It's not practical to do that now.

I knew the Warner family and appreciate having access to this area.

No If there is a committee forming for the feasibility of the Warner Park development I would be happy to volunteer for it. Ricci Dillon Only went once to the park.

No The pavement of Shuss has cause a hugh increase of traffic on Shuss. It is common to see people walking on Shuss, which is somewhat dangerous because there really is not room for walkers. So, any increase of traffic would cause the increase possibility of an accident on Shuss. Since there are no sidewalks and the grass and weeds are never cut on the sides of the road, walkers are in the actual street. So, please do not anything to increase the traffic on Shuss.

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No None Consideration for the people who live backed to the park.

Warner Park is a nice park. It is pretty easy to walk and play.

Question 18 didn't include Johnson Valley Drive neighborhood; I marked Arbor Heights - but Johnson Valley Drive was annexed into the City as Johnson Valley Drive.

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2017 Warner Park Survey Survey Instrument

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2017 Warner Park Survey

Manhattan Parks and Recreation would like to know what you think about Warner Park. Your feedback is important and will help us prepare an updated master plan for the park. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation. * 1. Have you visited Warner Park?

Yes, in the last 12 months Yes, but it's been a while No

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2017 Warner Park Survey

2. How would you rate your experience in Warner Park in the last 12 months?

Very Good

Good

Fair

Poor

No Opinion

3. What do you love most about Warner Park?

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2017 Warner Park Survey

4. How do you usually travel to Warner Park?

Walk/Jog Bicycle Personal Vehicle ATA Bus Other (please explain):

5. When you visit Warner Park are you most often...? (Select all that apply) By yourself With a family member With a pet With someone else

6. How often do you/your family use Warner Park?

Daily Weekly Monthly Several times per year Rarely Never

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7. How much time do you typically spend in Warner Park per visit?

30 minutes or less 30 minutes to 1 hour 1 hour to 2 hours More than 2 hours

8. What features do you/your family use in Warner Park? (Select all that apply) Disc Golf Course Grills Open Space Shelters Trails Other (please explain):

9. If you use these amenities, please rate their condition: Very Good

Good

Fair

Poor

No Opinion

Disc Golf Course Grills Open Space Shelters Trails

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2017 Warner Park Survey

10. Please indicate what priority level you would assign to developing the following amenities in Warner Park: 1 Not a Priority

2 Low Priority

3 Medium Priority

4 High Priority

No Opinion

Art (sculpture, focal element, etc) Disc Golf Expansion to 18-hole course Dog Park (fenced offleash dog area) Informational Kiosk/Sign (park/trail map, history, ecology, etc) Modern Restroom Facilities Native Plant Demonstration Gardens Native Prairie Management/Restoration (removal of red cedars) Outdoor Classroom Outdoor Fitness/Workout features Additional Picnic Shelters Renovate Existing Picnic Shelters Additional Picnic Tables

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1 Not a Priority

2 Low Priority

3 Medium Priority

4 High Priority

No Opinion

Playground features for kids Scenic Overlook Hiking Trail Loop (through the entire park, across the ravine) Paved Walking/Biking Path through the park (connecting neighborhoods) Nature Trail with Educational Signage Other (please explain):

11. What special events/activities would you like to participate in at Warner Park in the future?

(Select all that apply) Art Class (landscape sketching and/or painting) Cross Country or other organized race Disc Golf Introductory Lesson Disc Golf Tournament Geocaching Guided Hike(s) (nature, history, geology, tree and native plant ID, etc.)

Mapping and Orienteering workshop Overnight camping (organized through the Flint Hills Discovery Center) Photography Class Star Gazing None Other (please explain):

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2017 Warner Park Survey

12. How important is it to maintain Warner Park as an example of a native prairie?

Very Important

Important

Not Important

Not Very Important

No Opinion

13. Should vehicle access be allowed in Warner Park?

Yes, I'd like the existing road to be reopened to allow vehicle access to the interior of the park.

Yes, but only to expand parking areas near the existing entry points.

No, vehicle access should stay the same.

Unsure/no opinion.

Other (please explain):

14. Should any changes be made to the parking at Warner Park? (Select all that apply) Yes, expand the east lot off Shuss Road.

Yes, expand the west lot off Warner Park Road.

Yes, add parking areas closer to the center of the park.

Paved parking.

Add lighting.

No, the parking should stay the same.

Unsure/no opinion.

Other (please explain):

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15. Is there a need for additional pedestrian entry points to Warner Park?

Yes (if yes, please put where in the Other Comments box) No, but I would like to see improvements made to existing entry points. (please put what improvements in the Other Comments box) No, there is no need for additional entry points.

Unsure/no opinion.

Other Comments:

16. Which user group(s) do you identify with, if any? (Select all that apply) Cross Country Runner Frequent Disc Golf User My house backs up to the park None of the above

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2017 Warner Park Survey

* 17. Using the map below, please tell us in which area of Manhattan you live by selecting the corresponding number from the list of answer choices.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 None of the above

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2017 Warner Park Survey

18. Using the map below, please tell us in which neighborhood you live in by selecting from the list of answer choices.

Amherst North Neighborhoods Amherst South Neighborhoods Anderson Avenue Neighborhoods Arbor Heights Neighborhoods Cherry Hill Estates Lee Mill Heights & Grande Bluffs Neighborhoods Miller Ranch North Neighborhoods Miller Ranch South Neighborhoods Scenic Drive & West Anderson Neighborhoods Scenic Meadows

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19. How many years have you lived in this neighborhood?

Less than 2 years 2-5 years 6-10 years 11-15 years 16-20 years 21-30 years More than 30 years

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2017 Warner Park Survey

20. Which status best describes you? (Select all that apply) I am currently a student at Kansas State University I am currently a student at Manhattan Christian College I am currently a service member associated with Fort Riley I am a permanent resident of Manhattan None of the above

21. What is your age?

Under 18 18-25 years 26-35 years 36-45 years 46-55 years 56-65 years Over 65

22. What gender do you identify with?

Male Female

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23. If any, what are the ages of the children in your household? (Select all that apply) 0-3 years 4-7 years 8-14 years 15-18 years Not applicable

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2017 Warner Park Survey

24. How did you learn about this survey? (Select all that apply) Email City/Park & Rec Website Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Twitter, etc) Word of Mouth Other:

25. Do you have any other comments about Warner Park that you would like to be considered in the master planning process?

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Thank you for participating in this survey. The information you provided will help Manhattan Parks and Recreation improve Warner Park. Make sure you click the Submit button when you are complete. Thank you!

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Appendix C Warner Memorial Park Trail Evalua on

WARNER PARK Warner Park Is a great example of what the Flint Hills exemplify, it offers one of the largest expanses of undeveloped open space in the community. There are multiple rolling hills as well as deep wooded valleys and ravines that offer as corridors to move water through and away from the surrounding neighborhoods. Naturalized wooded areas, open space and select native prairie grass areas are the primary attributes of this park. A number of trails currently exist inside the park, outside of the mowed CC trail, most of the rouge trail is rough cut “rake and ride” trails that have been developed by many individuals over the years. There are a number of well-worn natural foot paths that are the result of the 9-hole disc golf course that exists within this park. There are also some examples of some very well built trail specifically what is referred to as the “8 Week Trial”, the “Scouts Trail” and the Old Military Trail. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Trail Color Key For the sake of ease of use we have broken the trail into color coded segments. Please use the guide below as a reference to orient oneself as the report points out suggestions below. ➢

Old Military Trail

➢

Rouge Trail - Private Property

➢

Big Loop

➢

Disc Golf Spurs / Disc Golf Loop / Proposed Back 9 Connection & Ravine Crossing

➢

Scout Trail

➢

8 Weeks Trail

➢

Miller Ranch Spurs

➢ Dotted Segments = Proposed Trail ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONDITION SURVEY & CONSTRUCTION SUGGESTIONS The majority of the trail tread Warner Park is in rough condition. This is mainly due to two separate factors, the way the existing trail were constructed, and the amount of water that moves through this park. The main focus of the survey and construction suggestions revolve around the potential of opening up new segments of trail and adopting large portions of rouge trail that is in various states of disrepair due to lack of maintenance.

The important thing to keep in mind about the Warner Park trail network is that most of the trail other that the CC course, the disc golf paths, Old Military Trail, Scouts Trail, and the 8 Weeks Trail is bushwhacked at best. Through NTS research we have found that most of the trail has only been maintained by one person at best at any given time. Most of the trail in the wooded areas has never really been adopted by the trail running or mountain bike community, therefore it was quite hard for us to even find much of the trail.

It is the opinion of NTS that caution should be taken to specifically to develop trail in the ravine that splits the two large sections of the park. The main cause for warning is the extremely steep and unstable nature of the the dirt in this part for the park. Most of the soil content in this ravine is a mixture of clay and sediment, there is very little solid rock or churt. Additionally the way in which this ravine is fed is through a series of draws that make traversing the terrain in a contour fashion very difficult. Aside from entering and exiting the ravine most of the trail should be run in the bottom of the ravine or just up from the bottom on the slightly raised hillside.

This will not be an easy task, but through some heavy armoring work there is still hope for a very unique trail to naturally connect the two side of the park for all users to help create more of a stacked loop system rather than a series of random linear trails with no connection to each other. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

* Excellent signs are found right as one enters the park from northeast parking area, letting users know what they are getting into and the history of the park.

Old Military Trail The first section of the Old Military Trail is holding up well, at some point in the last 175 years someone took the time to properly install these stone steps and assure that water can move across them without eroding the supporting soil, but this is another great example of why an approved spraying schedule must be adopted by the City of Manhattan Parks and Rec Department.

This is not an uncommon sight within Warner Park. It is the opinion of NTS that the MHK Parks Department is not giving their trail networks a chance to become the prefered outdoor recreation activity within the community due to lack of simple maintenance. By early June every year even the best trails within Manhattan are impassable due to overgrowth and the presence of ticks.

Overall the Old Military Trail is in good shape and has been properly reinforced where needed. As seen on the next page this is a well established trail requires little tread maintenance.

*The majority of the tread on the more level parts of the Old Military Trail, is in very good condition, but there are areas that could use to be debermed on the downslope of the trail. These areas can be identified by the channel that forms in the middle of the trail, usually it is accompanied by exposed roots and or rocks

At the far end of the “official” Old Military Trail” there has been some rouge bushwhacked trail added onto the trail to extend the loop further into the woods, NTS advises that this trail be disregarded not only because it ventures onto private property but the loop would be sufficient if it were to tie back into the normal loop the disc golfers use onto the hillside to the southeast.

The final thought on the Old Military Trail is that there is a possible connection that NTS has identified just below the 5th hole on the disc golf course that would allow for a relatively tame trail into what we will call the “Ravine Trail” as part of the Big Loop Trail. The “Ravine Trail” exists in segments just below the Old Military Trail with a way to emerge on the far side of the ravine, thus opening up a potential simple solution to allow the disc golfers the chance at creating a back nine holes on the west side of the park.

Disc Golf Loop / Disc Golf Spurs For all intents and purposes the majority of the Disc Golf Loop works well. The only items to note by NTS are in the way the trail enters and exits the hillside, the topline trail is in generally good condition and is sustainable. Most of the paths leading up to the baskets or pads are fall line trails. Understanding the nature of the sport, it would be advised to use large limestone landscaping blocks to create faux stairs this will help curb erosion and create a nice aesthetic for the course.

Further review of the map provided by in NTS shows that there is a large fall line rail that extends from the Disc Golf Loop down to the parking lot. This hillside could be more sustainable if time was taken to remove material and create some less intense platforms so the water does not move down the hillside at an accelerated rate.

* The steeper the terrain gets the more soil material is lost and the more rough the trail gets. As seen here from left to right.

Alternately there are also a few rogue trails created by individuals over the years trying to create a smoother transition up that hillside for the use of mountain bikes. Some of these extremely hidden trails are effective but incomplete. Ultimately this hillside does create issues for natural surface trail but It is possible to create some extreme switchbacks that could contour the hillside from northwest to southeast. This section of trail would need to be fully bench cut and use rolling crown switchbacks

*These photo’s show a small trail that links the Old Military Trail and the Disc Golf Loop parking lot trail. The grade is far better than going straight up the hill but ultimately this trail does not continue up the hill in any discernible fashion beyond this section.

Fortunately the soil in this part of the park has quite a lot of rock in it therefore it should be possible to build on, even though the grade is 15 degree +.

It should also to be noted that there is a place where the Old Military Trail seems to connect to the Disc Golf Loop around Hole #1.

Again this trail connection is rouge and rough cut but the design is generally correct and sustainable.

Scouts Trail The Scouts Trail is in great condition aside from a few areas where deberming could be done to help alleviate a channel that has started to be created by water getting trapped and moving down the trail. Adding a couple of knicks where the trail turns or it's obvious that the water is entering the trail would also be a good idea. On the far west end of the Scouts Trail the final hill that connects it into the large northwest field, could use a little bit of reinforcement from some large rocks near the top or the crest of the hill but other than that this trail is very well built.

On the note of maintenance the trail does get a bit thin in sections, and the tread could benefit by simply being scratched up a bit with the McCloud or a pic Mattox after a good rain.

*Left photo is a trail that was created by a property owner on the northside of Warner Park off Scouts Trail. Right photo is where the “Ravine Trail” exists the ravine and joins back up with already established and sanctioned trail.

Large Proposed Trail In the map provided there is a slight western portion to the Proposed Trail. NTS is ​not​ suggesting that this section be created it was merely included to be able to show the picture below to give reference. What is being suggested is within that tree line a single ribbon of singletrack being constructed Within the Woods away from the CC course. Much of the brush clearing has been done inside of this section of trees but for some reason has not been cut all the way through, please see the pictures below for a better understanding.

*Left photo shows a fall line connection trail that NTS proposes to shut down and reclaim. Middle photo is the clear cut tree on the ridgeline that has not been connected. Left photo is where the Proposed Trail would reconnect with the CC course.

8 Weeks Trail The 8 Weeks Trail might be the nicest sections of trail in the entire city. It's stainable and most everything was taken into account as this was built. the only qualm NTS has is the use of railroad ties on the upslope side of the trail to stop material from coming across the trail. They're not necessarily doing any harm, but they are not technically needed, by removing them and doing a little bit of backslope work water would still be able to move across the trail and cause no further damage.

By and large the biggest issue is that a user must tromp through knee-high grass to get to and from this Trail. simple maintenance would draw for more people into this Trail and allow them to experience what a wonderful asset it is to our parks.

* 5 minutes of mowing would improve access and keep ticks of of users who know the trail exists.

Big Loop and “Ravine Trail” Entrance The remainder of what needs to be addressed inside of Warner Park are the large open grassy sections of the Big Loop. Ideally in these areas either with hand tools or small mechanical equipment it would be advised to create the tread by skimming top layer of grass and dirt off the surface. Most of this work will not take any bench cutting nor will it take any burm’s or major dirt work. Most of the attention needs to be paid to where the trail is being routed and installing knicks as well as understanding the proper way to make sure water rolls across the trail and not down the trail.

*The use of these techniques in addition to making sure there is good open flow to the trail and Warner Park has all the right ingredients for an amazing trail.

The final series of photos shows a section of the Big Loop that will take a user along the eastern section of the west side of Warner Park and down into the ravine. regardless of whether this should or should not be utilized this is the best route down into the ravine or through the ravine. It is not for NTS to decide the use but at a minimum this is highly suggested to get the disc golfers onto the west side of the park for the ultimate planning of a back 9 holes.

*Thes left photos show where the trail diverges from the CC course and mowed path. The right photo shows where the trail descends down into the photo below.

The photo below shows where the trail enters the woods for the first time before is it ultimately reaches the pavilion.

*The left photo shows the very southwest corner of the pavilion where the trail enters the ravine, the right photo shows how the trail curves before it turn downward into the ravine.