The Salina City Commission received an update on proposed improvements to Jerry Ivy Memorial Park during a study session on Monday.
Jeff Hammond, Director of Parks and Recreation, and Jim Schusler from George Butler Associates presented preliminary designs for park renovations.
Key elements of the proposed improvements include:
- A new splash pad with various water features
- A water wall feature
- Upgrades to the existing memorial
- Landscaping improvements
- Enhanced connectivity within the park
The splash pad design includes multiple spray features, a water channel, and seating areas. The proposed water wall would be approximately 30 feet long with an 8-foot wide waterfall section.
Commissioners expressed concerns about the scale of the water wall and requested more detailed renderings to better visualize the proposed improvements. They also discussed potential changes to the memorial area.
The estimated cost for the project is approximately $950,000, with funding coming from the parks maintenance budget. Annual operational costs for the new features are estimated at $3,500 to $5,000 for materials, plus 10-15 hours of weekly staff time during the operational season.
Due to time constraints and the need for more information, the commission did not make any final decisions on the project. Staff will return with refined plans and additional renderings at a future meeting.
The city aims to complete the majority of the improvements by May 2025, pending commission approval and successful bidding processes.
