Laura Burton, a College Hill resident, USD 501 parent and member of the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, told the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education that Boswell Park ownership needs prompt resolution after more than two years of stalled talks. "As you know, the park is owned by USD 501," Burton said, adding that Parks & Rec has handled maintenance "since at least the 1990s" and that the department has invested "more than a $100,000" since 2012 for improvements including a gazebo, sidewalks and lighting.

Burton told the board she understands that USD 501 asked Parks & Rec to pay $20,000 to purchase the property, which she said halted negotiations. She said she believed the property would appraise at about $300,000 on the private market and noted a past, previously extended offer from the College Hill Neighborhood Association of $1,000 to acquire the parcel.

She outlined six possible paths the entities have discussed: transfer of ownership to Shawnee County Parks and Rec; accept the $1,000 neighborhood offer; negotiate a property trade (for example, Central Park Community Center in exchange); USD 501 assume maintenance responsibility; have the county pay $20,000; or negotiate a new memorandum of understanding that satisfies both sides. Burton urged the board to return the issue to a future agenda and called for a fair, prompt resolution.

Board members did not adopt a motion on the spot. The public comment was recorded during the public communications portion of the meeting; no formal board direction or agreement appears in the transcript. The matter remains unresolved pending further board discussion and potential follow-up with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.