City secures Green Trails land with $200,000 state grant and $50,000 local match

The Pratt City Commission announced the acquisition of the Green Trails property after the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks approved a $200,000 grant and the People’s Heartland Foundation provided a $50,000 matching contribution.

Regina Gault, who presented the plan to commissioners, said the property was appraised at $250,000 and that city staff worked with state and local partners to secure the funding. "The land was appraised at $250,000. We received approval from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for a $200,000 grant," Gault said, adding that the People’s Heartland Foundation paid the remaining $50,000 cost share so the city could acquire the parcel.

City officials said the land had been used by the public for years and previously managed under a contract with the state agency, which handled trail creation and maintenance. Gault told the commission the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks had reduced direct management of the site, taxes on the parcel had gone unpaid and the property faced a risk of sheriff’s sale before the city negotiated the purchase.

The city manager noted the acquisition is intended to keep the trails open for public use and to allow municipal maintenance and improvements. A representative of the People’s Heartland Foundation presented a check and expressed support for future trail development.

Commissioners thanked staff and partners for the work securing the grants and for preserving public access to the trail system. The manager said staff will integrate the property into the city’s parks maintenance program and return with implementation details and timelines as work begins.