PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release June 26, 2006

Overbrook Council & City Park Committee hold work session

On Wednesday, June 21^st a work session to consider the Overbrook City Park Development Project was held with members of the Overbrook City Council and PRIDE-sponsored City Park Committee in attendance. Council members included Ira Allen, Larry Coursen, Rich Hammitt, Bob Sisson, Bruce Smith, and Mayor Jack Young. The Park Committee was represented by Chairman Ken Krause, spokesman Don Schultz, Pat Martin, and Beth Pankratz. Jon Brady also attended for the Athletic Association. A 25-item list of “elements and considerations” was presented by the Committee, along with a map of the city lake property, the site of the proposed development. After considerable discussion about project funding and maintenance issues, it was agreed that the Committee would proceed with several items on the list which are either in progress or pending. These include: cleanup of undesirable and dangerous trees, foliage and weeds; fall plantings and signage for an educational horticulture cluster along the west walking trail; trash receptacles near the Rotary shelter house and along the trail; cooking grills and additional benches near the shelter; parking near the shelter; and playground and game (volley ball) areas near the shelter. Also to be completed is electrical service to the shelter house for security lighting and small appliance use, if funding is available.

In addition, the Committee will begin pursuing grant, foundation, and other funding for future projects, including, in part, a memorial circle (which will allow acknowledgement of individual financial participation), ADA compliant fishing pier, historic home site, additional restroom facility, concert pavilion/shelter, and a youth-dedicated fishing pond. The Committee will return to the Council with the results of the fund searches, along with ideas on any additional costs. The Committee is also to develop a preliminary development plan and map, which will be submitted to the Landscape Architecture Department of Kansas State University for a class project, in which a formal “master plan” of the park will be prepared. This preliminary plan will also be used for presentation with the application for the second phase of the grant under the National Trail Act, US Department of Transportation, which is due by August first, as well as for the preliminary proposals for grant and foundation funding.

It was agreed a full-featured park would be a wonderful asset to Overbrook and would fill a need for recreational facilities for area citizens. Overbrook is currently the only Osage County city without a city park.

Overbrook City Park Development Project

What we’d like to accomplish today . . . .

Attached is a list of “Elements” related to developing our City Park. They are not in an exact order of importance. However some elements should be completed prior to others. The “Year Number” at the left hand side of each is an approximation and open to discussion.

All elements should be “prioritized” by agreement of both the City Council and the PRIDE City Park Committee with consideration of money, materials, labor, and management (upkeep and maintenance) over an approximate three-year period (July 2006 – June 2009).

Project funding such as Grants, Donations, Memorials & Bequests, Community Fund Raising Events, and Capital Outlay should be by “prioritized agreement” as well. Some grants are “time sensitive”. Funding from the Jones Trust could be “multi-use” supporting several elements including those of the Overbrook Athletic Association.

Here are “Time Sensitive” items that will require more immediate attention:

Ø Ø The Grant for the continuation of the Trailway around the City Lake

o o It is due August 1, 2006

Ø Ø The Grant for the Youth Fishing Pond

o o It is due March 1, 2007

Ø Ø Completion of the current Trailway -- grass seeding & landscaping

o o It should be done as soon as possible