PARK DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCTION:
The City of Newton Parks Department currently maintains 392.76 acres of parks, cemetery, waterways, and right-of-ways. Included in the acreage are 200.68 acres of parks that offer playgrounds,
sports fields and courts, a festival area, a band shell for concerts, swimming pool, picnic shelters, and a 2.6 mile bike/jogging path along Sand Creek. All 10 Park Department employees work hard to maintain
all of the City's properties through innovative maintenance techniques while helping to improve the City's overall aesthetics through increased landscaping in the form of flowerbeds, focal points, and
street tree plantings. Park, cemetery, and right-of-way landscaping plus green space and park development are all part of our aesthetics enhancement program.
ANNUAL REPORTS
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Mission of the Park Department is to provide quality facilities for passive and organized recreation and to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the community.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT:
PARKS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
The first two parks established in the City of Newton were Themian and Military Parks in 1875. Currently, Themian Park is maintained by the school district. The Park Department and Flood Control Department
merged in 1980. The most recent park established is Lincoln Park, which is located in the 400 block of west Sixth Street. Lincoln was acquired in 2002. Also, in 2002 the Park Department emerged from the
Public Works Department.
Playgrounds in our Park System
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| 10th and Ash |
Athletic Park Large |
Athletic Park Small |
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See the Park Photo Gallery for further information and pictures of our great park system!
GREENWOOD CEMETERY
Greenwood Cemetery is one of the largest municipal cemeteries in the state of Kansas. It was established in 1872 and encompasses approximately 85 acres. The oldest interment in the cemetery was a Deputy
Sheriff, Carlos B. King, who was murdered in 1871. The cemetery is saturated with history and evidence of various cultures and was one of the first in the state to display an Avenue-of-Flags.
To date there are more than 700 casket-sized flags flying in honor of deceased veterans every Memorial Day.
2004 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Installed new park amenities in Athletic Park (tables, benches, and trash receptacles).
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Installed new black PVC coated fence along 1st Street at Greenwood Cemetery.
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Hosted the Kansas Sampler Festival.
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Resurfaced tennis courts at Athletic Park and installed new nets and standards.
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Installed electricity at the 5th Street open shelter in Athletic Park.
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Developed a new skate park.
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Planted 50 new trees in the parks.
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Installed new windows in the Greenwood Cemetery office.
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Installed new basketball court pad, posts, backboards, goals, and nets in Athletic Park.
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Installed new black PVC coated fencing around horse shoe pits in Athletic Park.
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Installed three new park signs.
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Installed millings on the Girl Scout House parking lot.
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Maintained Tree City USA status.
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Added rock to the Original Addition at Greenwood Cemetery.
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Drag and roll packed all roads in Greenwood Cemetery.
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Opened up Caperland shelter and started overall park remodel.
NEWTON CITY PARKS
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Okerberg Park
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Lincoln Park
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Bike Path
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10th and Ash Park
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Veazey Park
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Havens Park
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Depot Park
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Midtown Arboretum
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Girl Scout House
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Washington Park
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Quail Creek Park
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Caperland Park
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Centennial Park
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Plumbrook Park
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Military Park
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Athletic Park
