September, 2015
Parks & Recreation Master Plan 

Heartland Visioning is partnering with Shawnee County Parks & Recreation to engage the community in discussion and understanding of their master parks plan. 

Shawnee County Parks & Recreation's new approach to parks development has been forward thinking. Their plans includes large scale changes in operations and staffing, finances, programming, and land. Visioning will report on our five community priorities established from the 2013 community engagements and update the public on current projects. 

The public is invited to participate in one of the four educational sessions scheduled throughout the county:

Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 PM, Cypress Golf Club House
Wednesday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 PM, Westlake Shelter, Gage Park
Wednesday, October 7, 6:30-7:30 PM,    Ramada Inn Downtown
Wednesday, Oct 14 6:30-7:30 PM, Bettis Event Center, Lake Shawnee
Visioning in Oakland
 
You are invited to the Seward Avenue Visioning Engagement Thursday, September 10, 6:30 PM at Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 312 NE Freeman Ave, Topeka, KS 66616.
 
Members of Seward Avenue Action Group (SAAG), a committee of the Oakland Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA), have been planning phase one of neighborhood development, scheduled to be completed in 2017. Phase one includes enhancements in utility infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, curbs, and the aesthetic amenities such as the lighting, benches, and landscaping. Phase two will include the development of an action plan for the revitalization of commercial properties along the Seward Avenue corridor. A partnership has been formed with Heartland Visioning with the purpose of engaging the citizens in seeking a future vision for their community. 
 
TJ Brown, president of Oakland NIA shares, "The goal is to 'vision' Seward Avenue in a way that is unique and reflective of our neighborhood. Key questions need to be collectively answered. What types of businesses would people like to see in our neighborhood? What other changes or improvements need to be considered? How do we get there?"
 
Join the discussion September 10 to increase the social and economic benefits for the residents in the Oakland community.
Shawnee County's Largest 

You are invited to Shawnee County's Largest Workout Wednesday, September 2 at Yager Stadium, Moore Bowl, Washburn University. This is a free community event. 

Schedule of Events
5:30 - Gates Open
6:00 - Health Fair Starts
6:30 - Workout Starts
7:10 - Health Fair Re-opens

Like their Facebook page here and see more event details here. 
Volunteers needed to count Bicycle and Pedestrians in Topeka

The City of Topeka is looking for volunteers to help count pedestrians and bicycles as a part of the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. 

Data collected on bicycling and walking will assist City and leaders with estimating usage and demand for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The counts will also be used to track the city's progress on increasing the use of non-motorized transportation, strengthen grant applications to leverage additional federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, evaluate existing projects, and help determine the location of future investments.

Opportunities to count: 
  • Wednesday, September 16th (10:00 AM-noon & 5:00 - 7:00 PM) 
  • Saturday, September 19th (Noon-2:00 PM) 

Volunteers new to this procedure will need to attend training at the Cyrus K. Holliday Building:

  • Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 -7:00 PM 
  • Wednesday, September 9, 11:00 AM - Noon
For more details on volunteering or to sign up email Taylor Rickets or call her at 785.368.1607. Read more about Topeka Bikeways here.