R. Michael Rhodes Wetland Park will begin to take shape

By Adam Strunk

A wetland park designated for bird watching in Newton took a step closer, Tuesday.

The city commission agreed with a memo of understanding between it, the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams and the R. Michael Rhodes foundation to construct a park on a 19-acre piece of land located by the Newton Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will create 7.4 acres of new wetlands, feature elevated boardwalks through the area similar to Wichita’s Great Plains nature center and showcase to Newton residents the 150 different species of birds that birdwatchers have spotted in the area.

The park will be paid for through private donations with the Rhodes’ Foundation providing $100,000 of the total $350,000 in estimated costs to complete the project over three phases.  The Newton Lions Club is also supporting the project, along with private companies, such as Walmart, Evergy, Ducks Unlimited, Cargill and NextEra.

The city of Newton will provide in-kind maintenance of the park and keep it up to the standards of other Newton parks per the agreement.

Other organizations, such as Dyck Arboretum and the Great Plains Nature Center, will also provide in-kind services.

First, tree removal will take place through the coming winter.

Dirt work, as well as the creation of a wetland pool, will take place the following spring and summer.

After that, construction will take place lasting through 2022.

That activity will install 22 parking spots, a boardwalk, fencing, signage, benches, trashcans, as well as a sidewalk.

“We can’t wait to see the boardwalks, educational panels and elevated areas overlooking the wetlands,” Michael C. Rhodes Foundation Trustee Joe Robb said.

The foundation delivers grants to promote Harvey County residents using and enjoying the outdoors. The foundation is responsible for recent outdoor bathrooms at West Park, for instance.

The gifts are to honor Mike Rhodes, who died of cancer in 1992. Rhodes loved the outdoors.

The new park will be named after Rhodes.

It makes use of land owned by the city, bordered by SW 14th Street and a section of railroad track.
The land previously has been off limits to the public as it serves as an area of runoff for effluent water should that water have to be released from the Wastewater treatment plant.

Having enclosed pathways and fencing will allow the public to use the area and also meet state health regulations.

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