The Rundown – City considers modified agreement for Themian Park

Published on September 24, 2025

The Rundown is prepared by the City of Newton Communications Office to summarize the City Commission action and does not represent official Commission minutes.

7 p.m. Sept. 23, 2025, Newton City Commission meeting

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission discussed a possible new Memorandum of Understanding for redevelopment of Themian Park that would broaden the City’s participation in the project.

In February, the City Commission approved an interlocal agreement with Newton Public Schools, Newton Recreation Commission, and the Railer Foundation for a volunteer-driven $1.8 million revitalization at Themian. The plan includes pickleball courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, an urban soccer field, a park shelter, and restroom facility.

Under that agreement, the City agreed to fund the extension of a sewer line, cover the cost of water service to the site, and construct the pad for the restroom. The City would not move forward with bidding and construction until the Railer Foundation raised the private funds needed.

Fundraising progress has since been slower than expected, and the committee has asked the City to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to help fund the first phase of improvements. The grant would provide $700,000-$800,000, with a $200,000 required local match, which could be paid using private funds already raised. To move forward with the grant application, the City would need to contract with Schaefer Architecture to provide the preliminary engineering report and estimate.

Commissioners raised some concerns about exposure to the City by hiring Schaefer, especially if the grant application was unsuccessful. Staff indicated the City could continue to apply for CDBG and other grants, which present a major opportunity for obtaining significant funding. The City’s last CDBG funding of this kind was in 2001 for the renovation of Lincoln School into apartments.

The City Commission will consider the Memorandum of Understanding at its next meeting, Oct. 14.

Historic Walking Tour grant

The Commission approved an agreement with the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office for a $15,640 grant to enhance Newton’s downtown historic walking tour. The City will hire a consultant to develop a website, mobile app, window clings with QR code, and printed tour booklet in both English and Spanish, and produce accompanying images and audio narration.

In other action, the City Commission:

1. Honored Finance Director Donna Pickman, who is retiring from the City this month. Commissioners and staff praised Pickman for her professionalism, fiscal stewardship, and caring leadership in her eight years with the City of Newton.
2. Rescheduled the Nov. 11 Commission to noon Nov. 12; moved the Nov. 25 meeting to noon; and moved the Dec. 23 meeting to noon.
3. Approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the City, Newton Public Schools, the Public Building Commission, and the Newton Recreation Commission for operations of athletic and recreational facilities. The agreement increased the annual funding to the Rec Commission to $21,000, which had not been updated since 2006.
4. Proclaimed the week of Oct. 5-11 as Fire Prevention Week.
5. Approved an EMS mutual aid agreement between the cities of Newton, Hesston, Halstead, Burrton and Sedgwick.
6. Approved a temporary alcohol permit for Grace Hill Winery for the United Way Chili Cookoff on Sept. 27.

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.