Staff Report  - Briefly Noted

Briefly Noted: Wilder Bluff Park under construction in Shawnee; 8 return mail ballot boxes available for advance voting

Construction of the new Wilder Bluff Park is underway in Shawnee. Photo courtesy city of Shawnee.

Wilder Bluff Park under construction in Shawnee

Construction of the new Wilder Bluff Park is underway in Shawnee. Located on about 40 acres near 55th Street and Belmont Drive, the $4 million park will feature trails, a scenic lookout, playgrounds, a splash pad, shelter and open lawn area.

Crews are working on the following items:

  • Forming and pouring trails on the north end of the park
  • Grading for the 20 acres on the south end of the park
  • Digging to install rain gardens
  • Water service work
  • Clearing the way for new, concrete trails through the woods
  • Adding utility structures soon

City staff announced some progress and shared some pictures and drone footage online.

Eight boxes to be available for return mail ballots

The Johnson County Election Office recently announced eight ballot boxes will be available for voters to return their Nov. 3 ballots. Below is a list of all eight box locations:

  • Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st Street

  • Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th Street

  • De Soto Library, 33145 W. 83rd Street

  • Gardner Library, 137 E. Shawnee Street

  • Election Office, 2101 E. Kansas City Road

  • Northeast Offices, 6000 Lamar Avenue

  • Shawnee Library, 13811 Johnson Drive

  • Spring Hill Library, 109 S. Webster Street

Restroom coming to off-leash area for dogs in Shawnee Mission Park

The Johnson County Park and Recreation District is adding a permanent restroom to the off-leash area for dogs.

The district last week tweeted the announcement of the addition of the restroom, which is going under construction this fall.

The area is currently served by a portable toilet. The off-leash area will remain open during the project, except for the construction areas noted on the district’s website.