West-side Buffalo Park plans expected to move forward

West Wichitans should have their first interactive splash park ready by next summer.

Plans for Buffalo Park near Central and Maize will likely move forward after the Wichita City Council approves its consent agenda Tuesday.

Officials hope to break ground in November.

The goal is to get the project, including the splash pad, in place by next summer, said Troy Houtman, park and recreation director.

“The community is really anticipating the splash pad and those improvements to the park,” Houtman said.

The project was initially estimated to cost about $1 million, but bids came in above estimates, Houtman said. The city now anticipates a total project budget of $1,650,000.

“I think it’s going to be a trend to have bids higher than previously expected because the economy is turning around, so it’s good news/bad news,” Houtman said.

Part of the cost is defrayed by a recently-awarded $250,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

The interactive water feature’s design is based on prairie themes, with sculptures and plants to represent native grasses, according to city documents.

Kansas City-based firm Ochsner Hare & Hare designed the project, which includes the interactive water feature, a restroom and shelter building and a parking lot, according to city documents.

The master plan also includes additional sports fields, enhancements to the current baseball field and a walking path all the way around the park, in addition to improved access to the park from Maize Road to help ease congestion in surrounding neighborhoods, Mayor Jeff Longwell said in a previous interview.

This story was originally published October 4, 2015 at 2:40 PM with the headline "West-side Buffalo Park plans expected to move forward."