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Park board approves land swap with Evergy to allow substation expansion at Evergreen Park
Summary
The Wichita Park Board voted to authorize a land exchange with Evergy that will let the utility expand a substation footprint inside Evergreen Park while conveying a nearly equivalent area of its site back to the park board; federal Land and Water Conservation Fund approvals were required and obtained.
The Wichita Park Board on a voice vote approved a land swap with Evergy that will allow the utility to expand a fenced substation footprint inside Evergreen Park and convey an offset parcel back to the park system.
Jerry Gore, who introduced the proposal, told the board the trade involves a conveyance of roughly 4,394 square feet in each direction and that the net area for the park is about three square feet. Gore said the exchange required review and approval by federal and state officials because Evergreen Park is encumbered with Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) protections. "The recommendation before you today is to approve the trade with Evergy and authorize the necessary signatures," Gore said.
Why it matters: Evergreen Park is a 26-acre park in north Wichita, and staff said the swap will place improvements on an area already occupied by Evergy’s fenced substation while returning comparable turf to the city’s ownership. Board members pressed staff on local impacts: Member (Speaker 2) asked whether council member Maggie Ballard had been consulted and had concerns about surface type and trees; staff responded that the exchanged area is mostly grass, only one scrubby tree appears affected, and the masonry wall Evergy will install will sit inside Evergy’s line of work and remain Evergy’s responsibility.
Board action and legal context: Gore told the board the LWCF and the U.S. National Park Service reviewed the proposal, and staff recommended approval. Member (Speaker 2) moved to approve the swap; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. No recorded roll-call tally was provided in the meeting transcript.
What’s next: Staff will finalize required signatures and record the conveyances according to the LWCF conditions. The board did not attach additional conditions beyond confirming Evergy’s responsibility for wall maintenance and coordination of any easement conflicts.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of August minutes — motion passed by voice vote during the meeting (procedural). - Evergy land swap at Evergreen Park — motion to approve carried by voice vote (no roll-call tally recorded).
