Friends group wins park board encouragement to renovate 1911 pagoda at Central Riverside

Friends of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit told the Wichita Park and Recreation Board on April 1 that it plans to renovate the 1911 pagoda at Central Riverside Park into a wildlife classroom and occasional rental facility, and the board voted to encourage the group and support department collaboration on fundraising and a memorandum of understanding.

Lynn Rogers, speaking for Friends of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, said the pagoda was built in 1911 as a concession stand and later converted to restrooms; the group proposes to renovate it into a “state-of-the-art wildlife classroom” to support the wildlife exhibit and community programs. Rogers said the group expects project costs of about $200,000 and has secured roughly $43,000 in donations or pledges so far. “We’re hoping to turn it into a state of the art, wildlife classroom for the Kansas wildlife exhibit,” Rogers said in remarks to the board.

Board members and staff discussed that the pagoda sits on park board–titled property and that while the structure is city property, the park board typically provides input on improvements to park-board-titled assets. A board member made a motion “that we encourage these folks and the department supports their activities, raising funds,” which was seconded and approved by the board.

Rogers told the board the group is working with the city’s law department and parks staff on an MOU to define responsibilities. She also said the exhibit has drawn tens of thousands of visitors and that sourcing trees and materials locally will be a priority for future events. The board’s action is a supportive endorsement to let the group proceed with fundraising and finalize an MOU; final project permits or contracts were not requested by the board at this meeting.

What’s next: Friends of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit will continue fundraising, work with parks staff on an MOU and return with further details or materials as needed.