Spring will be springing
Hopefully sooner rather than later — with some help from Mother Nature — public outdoor spaces will be brimming with color. Season after season, landscapes across our community are blanketed in a bevy of plush plant life — but it's certainly not something that happens overnight.
It takes hours on end of planting, watering, weeding and caring from the McPherson Park Department to make it happen.
And whether it’s a petunia that ends up in the Downtown Plaza, a marigold in front of the Courthouse, or an elephant ear that adorns theGeneral McPherson Statue in Memorial Park, it all starts with the green thumb of dedicated staff who care for thousands of plants inside thePark Department greenhouse.
While plant life in McPherson public spaces might just show up for about half the year, for Horticulturist Mariah Hudson, Park Department Supervisor Lauren Przymus and the rest of the staff, it’s a year-round process.
Each season essentially begins in January when staff puts together an ordering list of seeds & bulbs to get started in the greenhouse.
This year, the park department ordered a little shy of 16,000 annual plugs and dug up another 240 existing bulbs to get started on this year’s array of plant life.
Since early February, a great deal of time and effort has gone into getting things started in the greenhouse — planting, watering, organizing andplanning each plant’s destination across our community.
The goal each year is to begin planting before the annual All Schools Day celebration in early May. However, the weather doesn’t always cooperate.
Once they are ready, the transplant process will begin and these plants will find their way to the downtown planters, or perhaps surrounding a sign or public picnic shelter. Or maybe they’ll end up on a scenic walkthrough Memorial Park. Doesn't matter. We can’t wait to find out.
DEERFIELD SOUTH HOMES GOING UP FAST
If you haven't yet checked it out, now's the time to see if you qualify for an excellent opportunity at a brand new forever home in McPherson. Houses are going up fast in the Deerfield Estates South, as seen in the drone picture provided by the McPherson Police Department.
In August of 2023, the City of McPherson successfully applied for an MIH-ARPA (Moderate Income Housing-American Rescue Plan Act) grant through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. McPherson’s successful proposal — submitted by Twinland II, LLC — was among 20 awards announced by the KHRC.
The proposed South Deerfield Homes project was awarded $1.65 million in MIH-ARPA funds for the completion of 40 new moderate-income houses over the course of two years.
In addition, Twinland was awarded $1.2 million in investor tax credits in the same proposal.
The base version of the Deerfield South Homes is 1,400 square feet depending on the floor plan selected — each built on a slab with a protected safe room. These homes typically will be three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage designed for small to medium families.
Those who qualify are eligible to receive thousands of dollars in financial support for a brand new home. There have been numerous applications so far, but many properties are still up for grabs. Don't miss out on an opportunity for your brand new McPherson home.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
The City of McPherson continually welcomes in new employees throughout the year. During the month of March, five new full-time employees chose to dedicate their professional time to public service.
Welcome aboard! We look forward to doing great things together.
New City employees in March
Michael Ottensmeier, Police Department Officer
Ryan Powers, Parks Department Facilities Maintenance
Stephen Miller, Street Department Operator in Training
Dustin Curl, Street Department Operator in Training
John Strickling, Wastewater Operator in Training
BANNERS PROJECT KEEPS GROWING
In 2024, the McPherson Park Department and American Legion Post No.24 McPherson Veterans Banners Project saw record numbers.
Now in its sixth year, it just keeps growing and growing.
Park Department Supervisor Lauren Przymus is in the process of collecting new registrations for banners to be placed in Memorial Park and on light poles along Kansas Avenue through McPherson, with hopes to surpass the 104 that were hung a year ago.
The City of McPherson — as well as McPherson County — provided an initial investment of $3,000 each to purchase necessary hardware when the project began. Since, it has been self-funded – with the exception of the labor Przymus and the park staff put into it each year.
Banners are hung by Memorial Day each May, then are taken down just after Veterans Day — providing an everyday reminder of those who have served. Once a banner is purchased, it stays up for three years, at which point, the person who purchased the banner can keep it. The cost is $150 for a banner, with any proceeds going to the American Legion.
Veteran Banner registrations are being collected now and will be open until April 30 in order for them to be hung in time this year.
PROJECT UPDATES
Elm Street Drainage-Euclid Extension
Work continues on the Elm Street Drainage Project (Euclid Extension). Late last week, contractor Vogts-Parga finished work on the south side of Euclid Street west of Main Street, which led to the re-opening of alley access south of Euclid Street.
The Board of Public Utilities is expected to finish replacing water lines and re-open the intersection on the south side of Maple and Euclid Streets this week.
Work now is set to begin on the north side of Euclid Street, west of Main Street. This project is vital to continued drainage improvements in the downtown area, as pipes are increasing in size to handle potential flooding issues.
PD substation
Work has begun on the McPherson Police Department substation located at 218 E. Kansas.
The new substation will address overcrowding issues at the LawEnforcement Center, a joint facility utilized by the McPherson County Sheriff’s Department and the McPherson PD. The new location also gives the McPherson PD a presence closer to downtown.
The remodel began March 3 and was awarded to KC Service andContracting.
Fire Station 2
McPherson Fire Station #2 has been near completion for a few months, but an error in the snow melt system and weather issues caused a short delay.
The system, though, now is in place and late last week, the final concrete pours were done in front of the station.
McPherson Fire Station No. 2, 1705 N. Main Street, puts responders on the north side of the railroad tracks, shortening response times not onlyto the northern portion of the city, but also for response to Interstate135, among other areas.
Lift Station #3
A major, ongoing project is nearing completion as last week electrical and clean up work began around Lift Station #3.
Actual construction of the lift station replacement in southwest McPherson lasted just a little over five months. However, design and planning of a project of this nature is years in the making. The planning process for Lift Station 3 replacement began in late 2021.
A lift station plays an integral part in a municipality's wastewater management. Not all areas served by City wastewater services can be served by gravity-fed lines. Lift stations essentially provide a pumping process to help keep the process flowing.
ODDS/ENDS
Join the team
While full-time staff for the City of McPherson keep things running, temporary and seasonal employees play a key role. Whether it be filling out the Cemetery staff to keep things neat and tidy, or filling the pool as a lifeguard at the McPherson Water Park, these seasonal roles in public service are essential. You can apply for one of these positions online. We hope to hear from you. Fill out an application here.
Bags of treasures
One of the many services offered by the Convention & Visitors Bureau is the CVB will put together “Welcome to McPherson” bags (pictured) for various events throughout the year. This month, the CVB prepared bags for an upcoming American Legion conference where many people who might not have been to McPherson before will visit. The CVB also prepared bags for the Big Kansas Rural Brainstorm, which takes place this week at the McPherson Community Building.
We'd rather be fishing
Make plans now, as the annual Fishing Derby returns to Lakeside Park in 2025. The event takes place on Father's Day weekend (June 14) and is a great way to spend the day in the park. You can register by clicking here.
Learnin' to swim
Swim lessons won't begin until June at the McPherson Water Park, but that doesn't mean you have to wait to sign up. Registration forms will be available April 1 by visiting the McPherson Water Park website.
Present the colors
The City of McPherson Police Department Honor Guard once again was asked to present the colors at a major sporting event. The PD was on the court prior to the start of the March 31 matchup between the OklahomaCity Thunder and the Chicago Bulls at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The team also was invited last November to be on the field prior to aKansas City Chiefs game.
Tree City USA
For the 46th year, The Arbor Day Foundation named McPherson a 2024 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global non-profit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organization plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries since 1972. The Tree City USA program has recognized cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area for over 50 years.
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By the Numbers
15,000
Dollars set aside each year to fund the City of McPherson Sidewalk Replacement program. This program gives financial assistance to residents whose public sidewalks running through their property have fallen into disrepair. This program allows the City to help fund always-increasing material costs. Read more about the program by clicking here.
30
Approximate number of the best boys' and girls' high school basketball players that visited the McPherson Community Building last week. The historic Globe Refiners Court was the site for the Sports in Kansas All-State recognition gathering. The list, which will be distributed by Sports In Kansas in the coming weeks, featured a few players from schools in the immediate area. What a season it was for McPherson County. Congratulations to all!
4
Animals available for adoption as of March 31 at the McPherson Animal Shelter. You can stay up-to-date on what's available at the animal shelter here.
6
Volunteers who serve on the City of McPherson Board of Trades.
TheBoard of Trades is a group of professionals within the community with interest in building and construction codes adopted by the City. Thegroup meets quarterly to discuss and make recommendations. Read more at mcpcity.com.
APRIL LOOKAHEAD
April 1 — Don't fall for anything on this annual day of ridiculousness.Double check anything you see online and don't fall for anything fromunofficial sources.
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — The weekly 8:30 a.m. City Commission meeting, followed by study session at the Municipal Center, 400 E. Kansas.
April 8 — The City of McPherson Board of Trades will meet for its quarterly discussion, 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center, 400 E. Kansas.
April 15 — Tax filing deadline. Hopefully you've taken care of getting your annual federal & state tax filings done before now. But just in case you need a reminder.
April 22 — The City of McPherson Commission will meet with various department heads and begin the budget process for 2026 during the spring retreat at the Municipal Center, 400 E. Kansas.
April 29 — City of McPherson Commission Spring retreat overflow day, if needed.
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