By the Hutchinson Recreation Commission
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — DCI Inc, Hutchinson Community Foundation and Hutch Rec are thrilled to announce the kick-off event for Project Park, a creative placemaking initiative designed to activate and transform underutilized spaces within the city. Project Park aims to reimagine public spaces to enhance comfort, connection, and community contribution.
For nearly a year, representatives from key local organizations have collaborated to bring this vision to life. These organizations include Hutchinson Community Foundation, Hutch Rec, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Boys & Girls Club, Aging Projects, Public Art Design Council, DCI, and Splinters-n-Rust. Their efforts have been guided by a pilot program from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, emphasizing the power of creative placemaking.
The Project Park kick-off event will take place on Monday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DCI Park, located at the corner of 2nd & Main. The public is invited to attend and participate in the festivities. Food trucks, yard games, and interactive activities will be available throughout the event. Remarks from partner organizations will begin at 11:30 a.m., providing insights into the goals and future plans of Project Park.
“We are excited to work alongside our community partners to introduce Project Park,” says Tony Finlay, Executive Director of Hutch Rec. “This initiative is about more than revitalizing spaces. It’s about strengthening a deeper connection to our community while creating places where people feel a sense of belonging and pride.”
Project Park seeks to build attachment to place by prioritizing elements that enhance community comfort and connection. By reimagining how public spaces are used, the project aims to make Hutchinson a more vibrant, inclusive, and engaging place to live, work, and play.
Project Park is supported in part by the Hutchinson Community Foundation – Fund for Reno County, Patterson Family Foundation, and the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
For more information on Project Park, please contact Tony Finlay at [email protected].
About Hutch Rec: Hutch Rec provides our community with lifelong wellness, cultural, natural, and recreational opportunities that promote healthy minds and bodies through innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and protected open spaces. Our vision is for residents to actively enjoy a healthy life as they strengthen our community spirit.
About Project Park: Project Park is a creative placemaking initiative aimed at transforming underutilized public spaces in Hutchinson. The project focuses on enhancing comfort, connection, and community contribution to build a stronger sense of place and attachment among residents.
