Trails

Linear Trail: South Manhattan and Pecan Circle Railroad Crossings

Railroad crossings on South Manhattan Avenue and Pecan Circle make access to the Linear Trail difficult. Manhattan Parks and Recreation and the Public Works Department are working with Union Pacific Railroad to add safe trail crossings at these locations. The project is currently being reviewed by UPRR.

Linear Trail - Multi Year Levee Project

Linear Trail, the City's longest trail, will be impacted by a US Army Corps of Engineers' project to improve Manhattan's levee system. Survey of the levee's right of way has started and will be ongoing. The survey crews that will be doing the work are employees of the Corps of Engineers.

The intent of this project is to raise the levee along the Big Blue River from the intersection of Casement Road and Hayes Drive, south to the confluence of the Kansas River and Big Blue River, and wrap around upstream to just west of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) facility.

When the project is completed, the levee will increase the level of protection from flooding events along both the Blue and the Kansas rivers, as well as replace several structures and equipment along the levee that were installed with the original project in the early 1960's.

Construction for the project could begin as early as 2020 and is estimated to be completed by 2024. Linear Trail will remain on top of the levee and access to certain portions of the trail may be restricted during the construction phase.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Brian Johnson, P.E. City Engineer or contact him by phone at 785-587-2415.

Facility Improvements

Douglass Recreation Center (formerly SENREC)

To learn more about the proposed Douglass Recreation Center and current information about this project please visit the Douglass Recreation Center page.

Community/Middle School Recreation Centers

Two new 48,000 square foot indoor recreation centers are to be constructed next to Anthony Middle School and Eisenhower Middle School. Two multi-purpose gymnasiums at each location will accommodate public use and USD 383 activities, including drop-in play, practices, programs, and tournaments. Amenities at each site will include 4 basketball courts, 5 volleyball courts, 12 pickleball courts, indoor turf, an elevated walking track, multi-purpose classroom, and fitness program space. Construction is expected to begin in 2020 and grand openings in 2021.

To learn more about the design process please visit the Sales Tax page.

Supporting Studies & Documents

Facility Feasibility Study

The Parks and Recreation Strategic Facility Improvement Plan provides a comprehensive look at Manhattan's recreation facilities and programs. The plan evaluates existing indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, assesses the community's needs for improved places to play, and proposes strategies to enhance existing (or possibly build new) sport courts, fields and gyms from which the entire community will benefit. The Strategic Facility Improvement Plan was accepted by the City Commission on August 18, 2015. We are pursuing the Plan's top priorities including three new indoor recreation facilities and improvements to ball fields and tennis courts at CiCo Park as recommended in the Parks and Recreation Facility Feasibility Study.

Community Organization-Led Projects

Johnny Kaw Plaza - City Park

The Friends of Johnny Kaw, a group of community citizens has worked for several years to raise funds and awareness of the Johnny Kaw statue located in City Park. In February of 2019, a groundbreaking was held for the Johnny Kaw Plaza. The Plaza will provide areas for seating, increased lighting, and enhanced landscaping. Signage will provide education about the legend of Johnny Kaw. To learn more about the Friends of Johnny Kaw please visit the https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofJohnnyKaw/. To learn more about the history of Johnny Kaw you can visit the City Park page.

Construction is now underway. The plaza is anticipated to be complete by Fall 2019.

Project Rendering of the Johnny Plaza 

Learn more about Johnny Kaw by clicking the image below.

Bluemont Hill Scenic Overlook

The Bluemont Hill Scenic Overlook is a project of the Manhattan Kiwanis Club. For over 91 years, this club has maintained the iconic MANHATTAN letters on Bluemont Hill. For several years the club has worked to raise over $70,000 to create an ADA accessible viewing platform. The platform will be nestled into an existing rock outcrop above the MANHATTAN letters. Construction has begun, with anticipated completion in Fall 2019.

To learn more about the project, view an overall presentation by clicking this image below:

Kiwanis Viewing Platform Project Presentation