River park draws praise STATE SEN. Caryn Tyson, whose 12th District includes Allen County, said she was “so impressed with what happens when a community comes together. I will sing your praises far and wide, tell others what you have done here.”
HUMBOLDT — Music and accolades flowed along the bank of the Neosho River here Saturday afternoon, leading up to dedication of Neosho River Park.
The day was made to order, with not too warm temperatures and a soothing breeze. Scores of people, including a contingent of cyclists who arrived after dedication of the Southwind Rail-Trail earlier in the afternoon, came to celebrate.
Riley Herder strummed his guitar and sang gospel, country and original songs.
Vada Aikins, city council member and one of those behind the establishment of the park through the Humboldt Healthy Ecosystems committee, allowed the park would be a “place to enjoy for many, many years.”
Just west of the dam that creates a reservoir for Humboldt’s water supply, the area first was a campground for Osage Indians and then a park for settlers, who found the higher (east) side of the river an ideal place for a town.
The river’s water below the dam also provided a place for baptisms before most churches had facilities in-house.
Aikins recalled in the 1960s several young men who liked to fish cleaned up the area to make it easier to enjoy the sport and added a light. Eventually the city took over upkeep, but no one would have envisioned what came about in more recent years.
Discussions in 2008 included an upscale park near the river. The idea took firm root in 2010 — and the rest is history.
Sunny Shreeve, another council member and also involved in the park’s development, rattled off all the park has to offer — picnic tables, the amphitheater, walking trails, informational kiosk, bird house, even a way station for migrating Monarch butterflies.
The scenic aspect was an early promotion on which proponents “built and built,” Shreeve said. Later she read a proclamation dedicating the park.
Ed Bideau, 9th District representative, recalled his ancestors homesteaded near Rose, west of Humboldt, in 1867 and “no doubt stopped right here many times when they were coming into Humboldt.” Before an iron bridge and then the Marsh Arch concrete bridge were built, the river was forded near the park.
“I’m totally impressed, I salute you,” Bideau added.
“This is an auspicious day for Allen County,” said Dick Works, county commission chairman. “First dedication of the rail-trail and now this park. They’re amazing innovations.”
Works grew up on a farm west of Humboldt and has worked its ground all of his life.
“I figured up the other day I’ve probably driven past here 100,000 times in my life,” often going to and from Humboldt four or five times a day, he said. “I always thought the area should have been developed, and attended the meeting” when the project started.
“The park and trail show the spirit of volunteerism is alive in Allen County,” he added.
Chris Bauer, representing Humboldt PRIDE, also had laudatory comments and encouraged others to join in efforts, through PRIDE or Humboldt Healthy Ecosystems, to make the community better.
“We think this is the eighth wonder of Kansas,” concluded Larry Tucker, Humboldt administrator.
GRAND OPENINGS
