Parks & Recreation outlines fee model, scholarships and master plan timetable

Reggie Davidson, director of Wichita Parks & Recreation, gave the council an overview of department services, access efforts, and fee policy. Davidson said parks and many amenities remain free and that the department uses a tiered cost‑recovery model, scholarships, sponsorships and nonprofit discounts to preserve access while offsetting program costs.

"We have over a 120 parks. We have 8 recreation centers. We have 6 pools, 12 splash pads," Davidson said, summarizing free services and amenities. He described scholarship partnerships, noting that CDBG funds provide summer-camp scholarships in partnership with Housing and USD 259, and that collaboration with the American Red Cross allowed the department to reduce swim lesson fees this summer from $40 to $5 for about 200 participants.

Davidson gave a concrete cost example for the city's summer activity camp: "Our total cost for that is a $140,910. A participant fees pays for $74,000 of that. Our city subsidy comes out to $66,910." He said the department's goal is to maximize access while being responsible stewards of public resources, not to maximize revenue.

On the park master plan, Davidson said consultant work is underway, materials and findings are posted on the ICT master plan website, and the planning work should wrap up in October with actionable recommendations tied to funding options.