By Holly Cook
Preliminary plans for an October 2018 Roeland Park fundraising run event are under way.
Organizers would like to use a running route that will allow participants to run past all of the city’s parks. This will promote awareness of the city’s green spaces and increase usage of the areas, said event organizer Laura Steele.
“There is an opportunity here to highlight these parks not only to our own community but to those who are outside of our community,” Steele said.
Steele said funds generated through registration fees could be used to supplement the city’s park funds.
“Hopefully this will be the first of many,” she said. “And it will be a continued thing that Roeland Parkers can look forward to.”
The race will be open to all ages and abilities.
Members of the council were receptive to the proposal and asked how the city could assist with the event.
Steele responded she would be asking for some staff hours to help coordinate logistics for the race and also asking that the city waive a permit fee. The remainder of the work would be done by community partners and volunteers.
The event is tentatively planned for Oct. 6, but the date could change if it interferes with other community events.
“I fully support this idea,” said Mayor Mike Kelly. “I think it’s wonderful the citizens have gotten together to promote all of our parks.”