Friends and Neighbors,

Please see the following Letter in Support of Westwood City Council and Westwood’s effort to develop a new park on the site of the old Westwood View.

If you’re ready to support this vision, please join us by co-signing the attached letter. Together, we are building a Westwood that honors our past while embracing our future.

For more information about the New Park in Westwood, please visit the City's Park Website .

To view the initial design proposals presented to the City Council on Nov. 14, 2024 please visit Westwoodkspark.org.

For more information about the status of this project and the legal facts of this deal, please visit the City of Westwood’s FAQ page. 

We hope to present the below letter to the City Council in December.

Here are some of the facts and history around the park development:

• The new park will be 3.86 acres, the current park is .95 acres
• The field to the south of the existing park where the old church once stood is 1.86 acres and was purchased by the City of Westwood to possibly facilitate expansion of the old Westwood View Elementary if the school district had desired to use the site. The old church had to be demolished because of maintenance/ safety issues and difficulty with insurance for vacant buildings. While residents and the city have used it for the past few years as expanded park space it is still considered to be development land and could be sold off to retire the debt the city incurred purchasing it. The city does not have any budget to improve the area.
• The current Joe D Dennis Park has multiple deficiencies due to age, original construction and changes in Americans With Disabilities Law. 
• The fountain suffered a failure in August and is in need of major renovations and will not be able to be turned back on without significant investment.
• The play structures and sand area are over 30 years old, nearing the end of their useful life and are in need of renovation.
• The tennis court area suffers from improper drainage design which causes pavement and paint deterioration.
• Any renovation of the play area or tennis court would trigger ADA compliance requirements and regrading of pathways and concrete areas. This would be a substantial cost.
• The current park is located adjacent to Rainbow Blvd and tends to be noisy during high traffic times.
• SMSD owns the old Westwood View Elementary site and will sell it to a developer if the city does not purchase it. The building has multiple documented deficiencies that would need to be addressed to make the building useable. (Which is why SMSD chose to construct a new building instead of renovate the existing one.)  This makes the existing building unsuitable to be reused as a community center or municipal space.
• A recent city facilities study estimated a cost to purchase and combine the WWV site with the existing park and old church site and redevelop the entire site into a large park at $9.5 - 10 million. Without any offsets, paying for this would likely require a very significant property tax increase for all Westwood households.
• Preliminary searches by City staff and Council did not show any available federal or state grants or partner organizations (such as JOCO Parks) to reduce costs to Westwood Taxpayers for development of the entire site into a park.
• The City has convened a 15 member Park Steering Committee with members from all generations of Westwood, residents of neighboring municipalities, and the JOCO Developmental Support agency. The Steering Committee proceeded with a competitive design team selection process and reviewed proposals from multiple teams comprised of nationally and locally recognized design firms and experts in park design and construction, architecture, engineering, cost estimation, water feature design, playscape design, and plant selection.
• The new larger park could have many modern amenities while saving the existing tree canopy on the old WWV site. The Park Steering Committee has already begun surveying the community to determine potential park elements and designs such as walking trails, pollinator gardens, sitting areas, a pavilion, play grounds or nature play areas, water features and community green space. 
• The new proposed park could have better facilities for beloved community events such as Octoberfest, The Easter Egg Hunt, Movies in the Park, Back to School events and others by having improved water and electrical hookups located at a central pavilion.
  The new park moves play space off a busy highway and will be immediately across the street from WWV and serve as a safe route to school for students on foot or bicycle from the south and could be used for after school play or sports. 
• Karbank was the only developer to approach the city with a proposal and has listened to public and city government official’s feedback about their original proposed designs by reducing square footage, reducing building massing, changing traffic flow, maintaining substantial tree canopy and modifying architectural materials and colors.
• A Public Benefit TIF will be placed on the Karbank Development and the revenue will be used to pay for the development of the new park. This allows the City to develop the new park with a projected budget of $4.5 Million without significantly impacting property taxes on residents.
• The ability of the City Council to hold a public vote on the sale of the city land along Rainbow Blvd is a legal matter that is dictated by Kansas State Law and is being decided within the State Court System. The project can not move forward until the legal dispute is resolved. 

Letter Follows:

Westwood City Council

4700 Rainbow Blvd

Westwood, KS 66205

 

Board of Education

Shawnee Mission School District

8200 W. 71st Street

Shawnee Mission, KS 66204

 

Dear City Council Members,

We, the undersigned, as proud members of the Westwood and neighboring community, are looking forward to a future that includes an expanded park at the former Westwood View Elementary site. This project honors our values by balancing family-centered recreation, environmental integrity, and the historic location of Westwood View Elementary. We stand behind the council’s decisions and their steadfast commitment to a development plan that brings new opportunities for gathering, play, and community for all Westwood residents.

Why We Support This Development

• A Space That Reflects Our Community Values: The new park will designed with the needs of Westwood’s families and children at its heart. Dedicated play areas, natural green spaces, and accessible, welcoming amenities will create a space where everyone—of all ages—can enjoy the outdoors safely and comfortably. Community feedback has shown a shared enthusiasm for updated play areas and natural elements that support a family-friendly atmosphere right here in Westwood.
• Preserving Green Spaces & Enhancing Safety: Our council’s careful planning reflects Westwood’s commitment to preserving mature trees and green spaces while prioritizing safety and accessibility. Parents and residents have voiced their appreciation for a project that thoughtfully incorporates safe pedestrian pathways and traffic improvements, making Westwood a place where everyone can enjoy their neighborhood on foot or bicycle. This initiative builds a stronger, more connected community.
• Supporting Westwood’s Economic and Community Growth: By expanding our green spaces and investing in the future of our neighborhood, this development benefits the local economy, providing resources that will help keep Westwood strong. The tax revenue generated from this development will directly support Westwood’s schools, parks, streets and essential services, securing a sustainable future for our community and a lasting legacy for future generations.
  We recognize that any new development will raise important questions, and the council has taken community feedback into consideration every step of the way.

We urge the council to maintain its commitment to address traffic concerns by continued support of the Rainbow Boulevard Complete Streets and Traffic Management Plan while it is under review by partner stakeholders. We also encourage future study of other traffic calming measures on residential streets. 

We further urge the School Board of Shawnee Mission School District to continue its participation and patience as the City of Westwood works through this process.

This letter represents a shared vision for Westwood’s future that values progress and preservation, making a lasting difference for the children, families, and neighbors who call Westwood home. 

Sincerely,

Westwood Residents and Neighbors in Support of Our Future