A decked up park entrance with big trees Rotary’s effort will be seen at the front of the park, and it will be recognised with its club symbol there along with large shade trees, benches and chairs to beautify the entry plaza.
Photo: David Dinell/Derby Informer
The planned Decarsky Park will get a dressed-up front entrance.
That’s because the Rotary Club of Derby (Kansas, US – D 5690) has donated $13,000 to the city to provide the park with 18 large shade trees in its entry plaza, along with other features.
The park will be on a 63-acre site just west of Rock Road by the south city limit.
Its emphasis will be on ballfields and a dog park.
Dana Quigley, Rotary Club President, said the group was challenged to plant a tree for each member by this year’s Rotary International president, Ian Riseley, but it was decided that it would be more beneficial to go with mature trees, as that would provide shade on an immediate basis.
“Rotary Club of Derby is happy to do our part in making this new park a welcoming public space,” Quigley said.
She also said the club is proud of one of its members, Vicki Decarsky, for donating the land for the park, along with the community for investing in it.
City Manager Kathy Sexton said the city is “very pleased” with the donation.
She credits the city’s citizens for voting for the half-cent sales tax that helped with the park, but it’s not enough money to do everything, so the city needs to call on private donations, too.
This is the third major gift to the park and Sexton said city officials are actively seeking other donations that will enhance the park.
The Rotary’s effort will be seen at the front of the park, and it will be recognised with its club symbol there.
“It will beautify the entry plaza,” Sexton said.
Instead of a concrete path to get to the ball fields, there will be the trees, benches and chairs.
Mayor Randy White said the trees will provide needed relief.
“During summers in Kansas, shade trees are always welcome,” said Mayor Randy White.
The park also is moving closer to being a reality, and its site plan will be reviewed by the Derby Planning Commission at its June 7 meeting.
The contract to build it is almost set and work should begin this fall, Sexton said.
However, it will take a while to be ready.
Construction will take place throughout the fall and 2019, but it will likely be 2020 before it’s open for residents and visitors.
That’s mostly because it will take a lot of time for the grass to come up in what are now dirt fields.
Source: Derby Informer
