Neighbors urge preservation of Boswell Square Park as Topeka board awaits county draft

Several neighbors told the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education that Boswell Square Park is a neighborhood anchor and urged the district to transfer the property to Shawnee County Parks and Recreation or otherwise ensure its upkeep.

"We have seen more project progress on the Boswell Park issue in the past three days than we have in the previous three years," said Laura Burton, a College Hill resident, at the public comment period. She said the neighborhood had endured long stretches of unclear communication and urged staff and board members to distinguish legal confidentiality from strategy when deciding what information to share with residents.

Grant Reynolds, Dwayne Pomeroy and John Parton each described the park's role in neighborhood life. Parton, who said he researched the land's history, told the board that several lots were donated or sold for nominal sums when the park area was assembled more than a century ago. Susan Duffy, a longtime park volunteer and the neighborhood's first park chairperson, recounted annual events including July 4 parades, National Night Out gatherings, weddings at the gazebo and regular family use.

"It is important that everything stays fixed because we want it to be a nice park so that we can play," said Bertrand Partren, a child who spoke briefly about playing and events at the park.

Board attorney Donna Whiteman said the district and Shawnee County had exchanged offers over the past two years and that, as of 5 p.m. the day of the meeting, the county's draft agreement had not yet arrived. "Once it is received and reviewed by me, it will be sent to board members for consideration," Whiteman said, adding that she would check the draft for compliance with statutes that govern school property and return it to the board for final action if appropriate.

Board members did not take formal action on the park during the meeting. At agenda item 21.3 the board noted it had hoped to have a finalized contract for consideration but that legal reviews can extend the timeline; the board indicated a best-case scenario would be action at a following meeting.

Public commenters asked the district to transfer the property outright to the county, citing a lapsed 1991 contract some speakers said had not been reauthorized in 2001 and expressing concern that the district lacks capacity to maintain the park in perpetuity. Several speakers said they want the park preserved for neighborhood recreation and historic continuity.

The board thanked the neighborhood speakers for their participation and reiterated that the district is working with county officials toward a resolution. Whiteman told the board she and county counsel would finalize the draft and that the board would receive it after her statutory review.

What happens next: the board will review any county draft and Whiteman's legal analysis when the document is received; the board indicated that it may act in a subsequent meeting once the review is complete.