Wilson Park Phase 1 construction now under way

Winter will see pouring of new concrete parking lot, new pavilion construction

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (Dec. 6, 2021) — Citizens are urged to avoid the southwest portion of Wilson Park, located at 701 N. Summit St., throughout the winter as construction begins on Phase 1 of the Wilson Park Master Plan.

Staking and inspection began last week for the new parking lot, and the contractor — Vogts-Parga Construction, LLC, of Newton — began staging equipment and preparing for dirt work early this week.

Once excavation and stormwater improvements are completed, work will begin to pour concrete for the parking lot atop a crushed rock base that was donated by Evergy after its transmission line project.

Once the footings are poured for the Creekstone Farms Pavilion, work can begin to erect the structure, even if the weather is too cold this winter to allow for pouring the remainder of the parking lot. Electrical and plumbing improvements for the pavilion area also will be ongoing during this period of construction time.

The area of work will remain fenced off for the duration of the construction process for the safety of park patrons, who should not travel south of the rotunda or west of the tennis courts during this time. Other areas to avoid include off-alley parking west of the rotunda, where Vogts-Parga will be staging and parking its large vehicles, and the vacant hospital lot to the north where materials may be staged.

West Maple Avenue may be briefly closed during this project so a new manhole and stormwater system connection can be installed. If so, additional notice will be provided prior to any such closure.

The rotunda, playgrounds, restrooms, train engine, southeast pavilion, Docking garden area, and northwest parking lot will not be affected by construction and will remain available throughout the winter.

Construction is expected to last through March 2022 or possibly April 2022, depending on weather. The goal is to complete this project in time for Tacolalah in May 2022 and the start of the Farm and Art Market season in June 2022.

About Phase 1 of the Wilson Park Master Plan

The City Commission on Sept. 21, 2021, unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-09-3438, authorizing the City to enter into a contract with Vogts-Parga Construction, LLC, of Newton, for construction of the Wilson Park Master Plan Phase 1 Upgrades Project and installation of the Creekstone Farms Pavilion at Wilson Park, for an amount not to exceed $356,176.62.

Previously, the City Commission on Nov. 20, 2018, unanimously approved Resolution No. 2018-11-3217, entering into a professional services agreement with Wichita-based LK Architecture for professional architectural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structural engineering services for the Wilson Park Master Plan Phase 1 Upgrades Project, for a total amount not to exceed $60,500.00.

As part of these Phase 1 improvements, the City received a quote on Feb. 9, 2021, for a Poligon multi-rib pavilion that would be shipped in pieces and assembled on site by Vogts-Parga.

The City Commission on April 6, 2021, unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-04-3395, authorizing the City to accept a proposal from Recreation Resource, Inc., of Overland Park, to purchase the Poligon multi-rib pavilion that will form the new Arkansas City Farm and Art Market structure, south of the Wilson Park rotunda in the new parking lot, to be named the “Creekstone Farms Pavilion at Wilson Park,” for an amount not to exceed $169,470.00.  The structure was delivered in July 2021.

Construction delays prevented Vogts-Parga from preparing to mobilize until now, but City staff put this time to good use by working diligently with Vogts-Parga for the past eight months to explore every possible cost-cutting option, including eliminating unnecessary sidewalks and drainage structures, re-purposing the rock donated by Evergy, and accomplishing tennis court demolition, some concrete work and all electrical upgrades in house with City staff labor.

This final revised quote of $330,388.47 from Vogts-Parga will cover all new stormwater pipe, manholes and drain basins, as well as excavation, reinforced concrete paving, ADA ramps, light pole bases, pavement markings, drilled piers and installation of the canopy structure, and the additional $25,788.15 option will add the reinforced rock base using the donated rock. Staff recommended this option in order to ensure maximum longevity of the new concrete surface.

Primary funding sources for this project, including the pavilion and Vogts-Parga contract, include:

• Creekstone Farms Premium Beef donation — $300,000.00;
• V.J. Wilkins Foundation Challenge Grant — $205,802.00;
• Friends of Wilson Park (Legacy Foundation) — $15,470.97.