Conversations continue about upcoming upgrades to Emporia’s Whittier Park.
Rec Commission Director Tom McEvoy says the commission has been working with a landscape architect on potential costs with several goals in mind for the park after recent track work by Burlington Northern Santa Fe.
McEvoy also envisions the softball diamonds being reconfigured, the addition of turf and expanded softball amenities to mirror what’s in place at Soden’s Grove for baseball. Assistant Director Amanda Gutierrez says a walking trail and dog park could also be added.
Separately, the start date for the Jones Aquatic Center may be slightly delayed versus past years. Gutierrez says the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the availability of college-aged staffers and put more emphasis on getting high school students to work as lifeguards or other personnel.
The current plan is to start on Memorial Day instead of the Saturday before.
