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Council initiates Crystal Prairie Lake Park Phase 1 with $1 million private donation, $1.57 million city match
Summary
The council approved initiation of Phase 1 of Crystal Prairie Lake Park, authorized a supplemental design agreement and accepted a $1 million donation from a private developer to seed the project; city funding will match the private gift and start construction of trails, a gravel parking lot and site fencing.
The Wichita City Council approved initiation of Phase 1 of Crystal Prairie Lake Park, accepted a private donation and authorized a supplemental design agreement to move toward construction of basic park access and amenities.
Why it matters: The project repurposes restored mining lands into a public lake park and has been in planning for years. Phase 1 focuses on basic multiuse access: a 10-foot shared-use trail under K-96 to connect north and south trail systems, a gravel parking lot, fencing adjacent to the nearby Brooks Landfill and an entry art feature. The council's action authorizes initial funding and design work so the city and private donor can begin construction and site access improvements.
Donor and funding: A local developer, Jay Russell (donor referenced in the packet), committed $1,000,000 to kick-start Phase 1. The city will match that donation and initiate $250,000 immediately out of the $2,570,000 project budget; the total budget includes the private gift, design and construction costs and a $50,000 allocation for site artwork. Public Works staff said mining operations and site restoration are largely complete and the site will be accessible while some bank restoration continues.
Project scope and timeline: Public Works presented the lake's sand-bottom character and the master plan, which uses lake "fingers" and shoreline design to reduce wave impacts for recreational uses such as kayaking and paddle-boarding. Phase 1 aims to create safe multi-modal access under K-96 and a modest gravel parking area to avoid premature hardscape that could limit future layout decisions. Staff said the mining operator's restoration is expected to finish by 2026. RDG and subconsultant CFS, who prepared earlier master planning work, will provide supplemental design services under the new agreement.
Council action: Vice Mayor Ballard, whose district includes the park, moved to initiate the project, adopt the bonding resolution, approve the donation agreement and approve supplemental design agreement No. 3; the council voted 6-0 in favor. Council members asked staff to clarify maintenance responsibility for trails and noted coordination is already underway with Public Works and Parks.
Ending: With the donation and council initiation approved, staff will proceed with design and construction for trail connections and site access while coordinating ongoing restoration and long-term maintenance planning.
