Editorial: Big Bull Creek Park needs great plan

Earlier this year, the Johnson County Commission boldly moved to raise property taxes to improve parks, libraries and transit.

This action had been pondered — but unfortunately rejected — over the last several years as the fast-growing county grappled with a few revenue problems of its own in a state drowning in red ink.

Now that county officials are ready to collect more money, they must be accountable for using it to keep the promises made during the summer.

One big project on the radar is how the Johnson County Park and Recreation District will upgrade Big Bull Creek Park in the southwest part of the county.

Essentially, this 1,933-acre park has sat unused and without a viable master plan since the late 1990s. On Nov. 16, a public meeting on the park’s future will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway.

County officials say a wide range of options exist, and that’s encouraging to hear.

Many residents likely will favor an active park that could include splashgrounds for children, stocked ponds for fishing, playgrounds and other amenities.

Another segment will be interested in going the more natural route, such as building lots of trails while adding camp sites and picnic tables.

Another option exists: Given the size of the park, divide it up into active and less active areas. That’s been done with a fair degree of success in Swope Park and its 1,800 acres in Kansas City.

As Johnson County park commissioner Steven Baru aptly noted, “I’m not sure why it has to be one or the other.”

It’s taken many years to get to this point, so the county has good reasons to take the time needed to plan a bright future for Big Bull Creek Park. Attracting a wide variety of users for decades to come is a goal worth reaching.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Editorial: Big Bull Creek Park needs great plan."