Around the Bend In the River

We went to Ox Bow Park to watch the fire works. From there, you could see not only the show staged at the Muni but also the one at the Salina Country Club. Oxbow, the newest of the Salina parks, is located south of Crawford along the flood control dike. It has a shelter and some young trees but is mostly an open, undeveloped, grassy expanse. The scene was one of a typical holiday outing with families and groups picnicking, lovers snuggling, guys throwing a Frisbee, and kids running around playing some indiscernible game. The fireworks were fun as usual.

A couple of weeks later Penny and I wandered through Jerry Ivy Park slurping our rapidly melting ice cream cones and found delight in watching kids romping in the water spray area. Jerry Ivy Park has changed. What once was a wind swept, barren playground, is now a beautiful, shady, retreat. One day it will be a fully matured park along with Oakdale and Sunset. One day so will Oxbow.

The park system in Salina, from Thomas Park to Bill Burk Park to the new soccer fields, is a major example of why Salina is not just a town but, more significantly, a community. It is one of the features that helps make Salina not just a place where people happen to live but rather a place where people want to live. We are blessed with these amenities because of the attitude and vision of the leadership and people of Salina who have seen an empty lot and imagined an Oakdale Park. Equally impressive is the ideal of presenting to future generations something of beauty and delight that the giver may never see in full blossom. We linger along the streams in Sunset, picnic at Lakewood, and shoot golf at the Muni because of the gifts of generations now passing.

Now it is our turn to create a legacy for those who follow us. It is our turn to maintain a connection to those who will benefit from the same spirit that benefited us. The river is our opportunity to give as we have been given.

Before there was a Salina there was the river. All that is here now was created after the river. All our parks and recreation areas can be removed from the city, the houses and buildings and streets and lights can be eliminated but the river is indelible. It is here. No matter what, it is here. The town was founded here because of the river. It powered our industries, it gave us water, and it gave us refreshment. It runs through the town like a jugular. Historically it has been our greatest asset. It is still an asset, tarnished and neglected though it may be.

Over the years we have watched as the town has sprawled to the south. This growth has slowly drawn away the vitality and health of the historic town center and left a sickened and deteriorated trunk. Property values decline, pride in neighbor hoods fade while, with the sprawl to the south, city services are stretched ever thinner. If this town is to avoid the same sorry fate of cancerous disintegration that is evident in so many cities elsewhere, we need to go back to basics. We need to go back to the river and now is our chance. Now is the time.

As the river is now, it is not only a disgraceful eyesore but is a health hazard, a drag on property values and, because it is so plugged up, is not even wholly effective as a drainage ditch. But renovation of the old river bed could be a catalyst for a renaissance and renewal of downtown and north Salina. Instead of an embarrassment, the river could be a source of community pride. Instead of something to be avoided it could be something to embrace. Now is the time.

A phased development of and around the river has been proposed that would result in initial activity as well as a long term vision. Phase one of this plan would begin within a year from approval and would be completed in three years. This would include a siltation basin at the north end of Bill Burk Park to remove particulates from the water, a general restoration of the natural river channel to include hiking and biking trails, formal landscaping from Walnut street to the Western Star mill dam, and replacement of the Iron street culvert with a bridge. Development, both private and public, will continue into the future to enhance to river through out its entire length. But Immediate improvement will be dramatically apparent. Now is the time.

Well, wait a minute. Some have said that the project is a great idea, but because of the economy now is not the time. I would say that because of the economy now is exactly the time. The project means jobs. Contractors, eager for the work, will be competitive in their bids. The cost of money will never be lower, and the activity will give a sense of a can do attitude in the community that will attract additional interest from developers. Now is the time.

I may never see the ultimate end product of what we start with this project but part of the American character is to leave something better to future generations As we row along on life’s river, there will always be the next bend round which we may not see. It is there for the next pilot to discover. But now is the time to begin the journey.

Respectfully submitted
Michael Mattson