December 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 50

OPERATIONS
Wichita Takes a Twist on the Old, Making It New
By Troy Houtman, CPRE
I
n 2014, Wichita (Kansas) Park and Recreation began work on development
of an aquatics master plan to replace and upgrade pools that
were built in the 1950s. As the 2018 pool season began, two pools
were closed due to mechanical and infrastructure issues. One in particular,
McAfee pool, is in the heart of a Black community and had significant
pressure to re-open. In all the pools, the filtration system was an
antiquated diatomaceous earth system that required a huge amount of time
and labor to backwash and operate.
The City of Wichita set aside $24
million in capital improvement funds
and $2 million in art and aesthetics
to address the issue and chose to
renovate. A twist on the original plan
of replacing pools to renovate with a
flare was developed and selected -
as it would still serve the neighborhoods,
be cost effective, fit into the
budget and preserve the history of
the parks.
To make the
most
of the
funds, six pools were selected for
renovations and upgrades. These
six pools received new filtration and
mechanical upgrades; slides; pool
amenities, such as climbing walls,
shade structures, pop-up jets, zerodepth
entry; and other upgrades
for safety
of the pools.
The remaining four pools were
and aesthetics. Each
pool was selected by location and
usage for equal coverage across the
city. An average of $3 million was
spent on each pool for upgrades,
and an additional $350,000 was
spent on each pool for additional
art and aesthetics, with themes
rooted from each neighborhood.
The art was a fantastic touch that
reinvigorated
pools,
faded
provided
and
ownership
dated
and
identity, and preserved the history
converted into splash pads that were
highly themed. One example is at
Evergreen Park, which is within an
Hispanic neighborhood. Residents
chose the Aztec God Tlaloc, the
god of water, as the focal piece of
the splash pad. Each were built for
approximately $1 million apiece
for a total of $6 million. The pool
conversion to splash pads has its
pros and cons, but we were able to
keep the restrooms and mechanical
rooms to reduce cost.
In 2020, due to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, aquatics
operations were on hiatus. However,
the silver lining was in 2019 the
plan was adopted in two phases,
with project construction lasting
from 2020 to 2022. The strategy to
spend money to renovate the pools
in lieu of full replacement seems to
be a great option for our residents.
These pools are smaller and now
easy to operate. This strategy has
really strengthened the neighborhoods,
kept the projects affordable,
provided splash pads for parents
with small children to use for free,
modernized
all operations, and
In 2014, Wichita (Kansas) Parks
and Recreation began work on
development of an aquatics master
plan to replace and upgrade pools
that were built in the 1950s.
50 Parks & Recreation | DECEMBER 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
created pools and splash pads with
fun, charm, appeal and character.
Sometimes old is new!
More information about the master
plan and facility operations can
be found at tinyurl.com/4acet94x.
The turnout of 2022 summer has
been incredible, and the new look
of the old pools is a hit with community
members in Wichita.
Troy Houtman, CPRE, is Director of
Parks and Recreation for City of Wichita.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANA APPELHANZ
https://tinyurl.com/4acet94x
December 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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