UPDATE FROM THE MAYOR
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! There is much to be thankful for in our community!
I wanted to provide an update on two topics as we near the end of the year. First, progress with the development of the Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center and a review of city street project.
Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center
As a brief reminder, the property for the park was donated by Bill & Beverly Hammers and family. The 43 acres park is to be restored to native grasses and be a place to remind the community and all that would visit of what this property was before it was settled, being a natural prairie with its natural habitat. The history of the land and those that settled it remains a key focus of the experience of the park.
Considerable progress has been made in the first couple of years. The land was planted with five native grasses, Kaw Big Bluesteam, Cheyenne Indian, Aldous Little Blue, El Reno Side Oats, and Blackwell Switch. Despite the lack of rain, the grasses have flourished and the results are beautiful. Initial trails have been created, and the parking lot and surrounding fence installed. In June, the Hammers Memorial Monument was placed and dedicated. The memorial serves as a lasting salute and thanks to Robert Hammers, a deputy marshal, who was killed in the line of duty in Clearwater in 1934. Many folks have visited the park and enjoyed the beauty of the trails. I encourage everyone to take the time to visit.
The ability to have this rapid development has been in large part by donations. The Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center Foundation has been very generous in supporting the city’s plans for development. The next plan is to build an outdoor shelter, similar to those built at the main city park. This shelter will be available for the community for group outings, planned events to highlight the history of the park, and as an educational center.
The city has been advised by the Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center Foundation they have been blessed with a $25,000 donation from the Mikesell Family Foundation through the Legacy Regional Community Foundation specifically designated for the continued development of the park with adding the shelter, additional trails, and signage to highlight the native grasses and history of the park.
In addition, an anonymous donation has been pledged to match all donations made to the city or the Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center Foundation up to $20,000 for the specific development of the Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center. Without these donations, the city could not afford to make these future improvements without years of building a capital fund to handle the costs.
If you would like to donate to the Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center, you can drop your donation to the City of Clearwater, at city hall or mail to (129 E Ross Ave. P.O. Box 453, Clearwater, KS 67026) or mail or to the Hammers Prairie Park & Nature Center Foundation (14111 West 95th Street South, Clearwater, KS 67205). The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Clearwater Street Project
The street project is on schedule. Pearson Construction and PPJ have completed mill, overlay, and spot repairs on Park Ave (Tracy to Prospect), Nancy (Michelle to Prospect), Michelle, Prospect (Park to Michelle), Elaine, Hellar (Elaine to Tracy), 1st Street (Wood to Hellar), Wood (Tracy to 1st Street), Rolling Hills Ct, Janet Ct, Janet (1st Street to Rolling Hills Dr), and Rolling Hills Dr (Rolling Hills Ct to Janet). Next for mill, overlay and spot repairs will be Kansas (Tracy to Grant), and Grant (Ross to Kansas).
For those who are affected by the road repairs, Pearson will notify you ahead of time when they begin work on your section of the road by placing a notification on your door.
Major street repairs will be scheduled once the mill and overlays sections are completed. We expect the construction will continue through the summer of 2025 until the project is completed.
Thank you all for your patience during the construction.
Citizen of the Year
Each year, as Mayor, I select a “Clearwater Citizen of the Year”! The award recipient may be an individual, couple, group/organizations, or represent a local business, from within the Clearwater Community. If you have someone in mind that is deserving of this recognition, please submit your nomination to jpoe@clearwaterks.org or czollinger@clearaterks.org.
Nominations must include full information on the individual, group, etc., being nominated and who is submitting the nomination. The nomination should state clearly the actions that fall within the nomination criteria above. It is the goal to recognize the Citizen of the Year in January so submissions will be accepted through the end of December.
Criteria:
- Demonstrate exceptional volunteer service that shows a dedication to making the city a great place to live, work, play or learn.
- Made a positive difference in a fellow citizen’s life or has demonstrated a care and concern for the city and its residents.
- Has worked with or organized other individuals to solve a problem in the city or has a mission to better the city in a positive way.
Thank you and best wishes for a great holiday season!
Burt Ussery
Mayor