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A project in Pittsburg, Kansas, is transforming two small neighborhood parks into welcoming spaces designed to bring people together and encourage healthy activity. Led by Michelle Brocksterman, Family and Child Development Agent with K-State Research and Extension’s Wildcat District, the initiative focuses on updating the Countryside and Sunflower Kiwanis Parks to support intergenerational play and promote stronger community ties.

What began as a casual conversation at a neighborhood lemonade stand quickly grew into a collaborative effort involving the Sunflower Kiwanis Club, the City of Pittsburg’s Parks and Recreation Department, and local residents. The project includes plans to expand Countryside Park from a half-acre lot to over three acres, adding new playground equipment, a shelter, and inclusive spaces for people of all ages.

Brocksterman says the benefits of the project were felt even before physical improvements began, as neighbors began connecting, offering input, and using the park more often. With help from Pittsburg State University’s construction program, phase one is underway, focusing on equipment upgrades and shelter construction.

Organizers hope the project not only provides safe, engaging outdoor spaces, but also shows that community members can lead meaningful change in their neighborhoods.