When it comes to attractions I have heard over and over that Mountains and Oceans are the great attractors. Here in Ark City we have TWO rivers which should have great value as attraction but we don't use them at all.
According to the paper, last year Oxford got a grant to develop their riverfront for recreational purposes.
I've seen pictures in Brick's back room showing docks, canoes, and other things on our rivers. We have a magnificent resourse being wasted and I don't know how to change it. Currently the city is working on a hike bike trail to run along a portion of the levee. From West Chestnut to the South Madison bridge. This could be the start of further development along the river.
I would love to see this happen, but there is some concern in the commission that it is an expense we don't need. We do have a grant to pay for a large portion of it, and the city has already acquired property towards that end. The grant can still be returned if the commission decides against it.
I think a riverfront park or other developments would be a nice draw to our town. The Hike/Bike trail would be only the beginning of it. Of course, it could also be all that happens if someone doesn't step up and take advantage of it.
I've also asked the Convention and Visitor's Bureau (CVB) to look into having an annual Renaissance Fair here in town. There is a regular circuit throug Kansas. They have it in Wichita and Kansas each year, and in small towns with arrangements. It was in Wellington year before last. They have a lot of people that follow this around the state. It would be a great festival to draw more people to town for very little expense to the city.
I'm sure there are more ideas people have to improve and develop the city. These are just a couple of non-business, non-retail ideas that might help. I'd like to hear more ideas, or additions to these. If we keep James in the loop, maybe he can use the newspaper for additional help drawing ideas together.
I believe there were posts on this subject before with much positive response. Many of us love to fish, camp and canoe along the rivers. Actually, there is a much needed demand for 4-wheeler paths. Yes, yes, let's use this money and make it happen! Winfield seems to have used their river fronts for many festivals and rec activities. I'm jealous!
I agree with motherof2 on this idea of making more camping and boat docks to make our area one that people would come to to camp fish and canoe. Also if we had a 4x4 trail people would come from all over the county to use them. And if the people come, then small businesses will come.....ie canoe rental...bait and tackle.....A go cart track would be great too. Maybe miniture golf later on. With time it would be great to attract art and craft shows simular to the one we have every year in the park. Even farmers markets in the summer would be great near the river amoung the trees. The improvements could benifit everyone from old to young if properly planned out. If the river banks were cleaned up and free from brush where they could be mowed on both rivers the people would come. Look at the pecan grove in winfield, it is a great place to camp and spend time..... We already have the property, we need to just untilize it. And motherof2 is right...this has been suggested before....a long time ago. If you would like to make the rivers a point of attraction then you will have to start by making them attractive for people to be around. Clean them up and they will come.........
A few years ago there was a program with Cowley County Economic Development Agency with set amount of money to help small businesses get started in Cowley. I heard of two that really got run through the ringer about what they needed to get started, while to others seemed to have the red carpet laid out for them. Where did that program go and what happened with the money they had for this program. It would seem that for those who wanted to see small businesses going like restaurants or shoe stores, or even a small up to date type dress clothing store, they would followup on what happened or where those businesses who got started are at today.
There are a few companies out there that does perspectives researches for small business to see if that will make in a market area for almost nothing. This would be something to look at if you are not into starting real big. Just knowing what will and what will not work in our area is a good start and will save you some time trying to pick your brains in what to do. Problem being you guy's are so picky about what you want here in your town and who you want
Besides the fact we are indeed in a recession how else do you think people should spend the little rebate money we may or may not see from the government bailout other than in local tax increases?
Development of Ark City Business owners. Let's teach them not to use all of the Main Street parking. Perhaps someone will be able to stop and shop.
I have suggested that to the Chamber of Commerce many times. I don't know any other way to reach them all. Maybe a letter to the editor will reach more business owners.
This was in the posts a long time ago, I remembered reading it. Saveacity wanted to explore the rivers and the potential they had. I found them to be interesting ideas.
RE: Hike/Bike Trails, Ball Parks, both, or neither Hike and Bike trails are not the anwser, first off we must look at what we have as a basis for recreaton,,,, We live on a sand delta between two navagtable rivers, we have unused forest and river boarder lands. Wanna look toward winfield, go ahead, Tunnel mill dam,, Pecan Grove,, Fair grounds,, unlimited river access.
We have one park left for river access and I challenge any member of the city council to go to Walnut park and find a place to fish,, the banks by the boat dock have been filled intentionaly so citizens cannot get close to the river, The City has permanently closed the old Cottonwood park access just west of the arkansas river on madison, due to claims of dike misstreatment, Why must we close down a recreation provided by nature with very little expence to maintain, if you were to financialy try to provide such a place it would cost millions,, and now all you need to do is fill in a few ruts once in a while with free dirt to keep what you had. The park on west chestnut has been givein to a special intrest group of air boaters who can have access with city provied keys,, most of these airboaters do not even live in city limits,, Its time to end this favortism, if older people who cannot hike a half mile to the river cannot have access it is not fair to provide access via old chestnut to the out of city limits airboaters at city tax dollar expence!!!!!! ( city mows and provides use of the facilities ie boat ramp)
This was in the posts a long time ago, I remembered reading it. Saveacity wanted to explore the rivers and the potential they had. I found them to be interesting ideas.
RE: Hike/Bike Trails, Ball Parks, both, or neither Hike and Bike trails are not the anwser, first off we must look at what we have as a basis for recreaton,,,, We live on a sand delta between two navagtable rivers, we have unused forest and river boarder lands. Wanna look toward winfield, go ahead, Tunnel mill dam,, Pecan Grove,, Fair grounds,, unlimited river access.
We have one park left for river access and I challenge any member of the city council to go to Walnut park and find a place to fish,, the banks by the boat dock have been filled intentionaly so citizens cannot get close to the river, The City has permanently closed the old Cottonwood park access just west of the arkansas river on madison, due to claims of dike misstreatment, Why must we close down a recreation provided by nature with very little expence to maintain, if you were to financialy try to provide such a place it would cost millions,, and now all you need to do is fill in a few ruts once in a while with free dirt to keep what you had. The park on west chestnut has been givein to a special intrest group of air boaters who can have access with city provied keys,, most of these airboaters do not even live in city limits,, Its time to end this favortism, if older people who cannot hike a half mile to the river cannot have access it is not fair to provide access via old chestnut to the out of city limits airboaters at city tax dollar expence!!!!!! ( city mows and provides use of the facilities ie boat ramp)
This particular hike/bike trail will be along the river. From West Chestnut south to the Summit Bridge. It will give more river access and provide other recreation. The whole idea of having it in this area is for river access. I think most people have just forgotten that part. It's been cooking for a few years now with not nearly enough updates.
The reason Cottonwood Park was closed off to vehicular traffic was people driving along the levee. The city tried various things for a year, then had to close it off completely. This is another great opportunity to blame the city when it was just a few people that ruined it for all.
The airboat ramp at West Chestnut is not maintained by the city. The city allowed the airboat club to gate off that area in return for maintaining the ramp and drive as well as all of the mowing. Saves the citizens the expense.
More river development could happen if the first goes over well. If it doesn't, why waste your money? I think it will go over well, and open up many opportunities for the city. Recreational, retail, tourism and other aspects. I don't think many of the other commissioners are interested in this kind of development anyway so it probably won't be an issue.
