Bonner Springs Park

Once a vacant lot following a building fire, this site in Bonner Springs, Kan., is being reimagined as a community-focused destination that bridges the gap between the Oak Street residential development and Centennial Park, creating a walkable, connected public space that links key areas of the city.

The park is designed to be highly family-friendly and enlivened with activity. Key features include a splash pad, playground and vibrant use of color, all intentionally aligned with the City of Bonner Springs’ branding. The splash pad incorporates the city’s sunflower logo and can be turned off when needed, allowing it to transform into a flexible venue for fairs, concerts and community events. A restroom building will also be included on-site, along with dedicated storage for the Centennial Park farmers market.

Considering the site’s significant slope, grading was a primary design obstacle. Despite the challenge, landscape architects prioritized full accessibility by designing the park without stairs and limiting all path grades to five percent or less, avoiding the need for handrails. The design playfully embraces the park’s steepest topography by incorporating a slide built directly into the hillside, transforming a constraint into an amenity.

The planting palette includes evergreen trees and shrubs along with seasonal plantings to keep the park visually appealing year-round. Turf was widely incorporated to keep maintenance simple and manageable for the city.

Together, these design elements will shape an urban infill destination that offers something for all ages.

Partners 

Developers  

City of Bonner Springs 

Smart Pro Technologies 

Contractor 

Straub Construction 

Engineers 

Bob D. Campbell & Co. 

BC Engineers 

CFS Engineers