Kansas
Saving a neighborhood park in this Kansas town was a necessary lesson in community — and democracy • Kansas Reflector
It would be easy to overlook Quaker Park.
Located on the corner of First and Sylvan in Emporia, it’s less than an acre in size. It has trees and grass and a ball court and a weathered basketball goal, just what you’d expect of a neighborhood park in a working-class part of town. It’s a nice place to shoot hoops or play catch, but it doesn’t seem special. It’s not the oldest park in town. Others are bigger and more beautiful and have better amenities, including a zoo and several disc golf courses.
So it was no wonder that earlier this year Emporia added the park to its surplus property list, a sort of municipal equivalent of gathering up items for a garage sale. Who would really miss Quaker Park? The city could rid itself of the burden of maintenance and provide land for a modest housing development.
Then something surprising happened.
Residents fought back.
I am reminded of the petition drive to save Quaker Park because of recent news from Wichita that the city is considering selling some of its parks to make up a projected $3.6 million budget shortfall by 2026. At a public hearing earlier this month, Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said she wasn’t advocating to eliminate some of the city’s 146 parks, but that all options were on the table.
The future and function of municipal parks is something that cities of all sizes have long debated. Parks are both an expression, and a metaphor, for democracy; expression because they are policy made concrete-and-grass, and metaphor because they represent a community’s priorities, no matter the lofty marketing language you might find on a city’s website. If you want a glimpse of the soul of a community, look at its parks.
Although it would be reasonable to think there would be a metric for how many acres of parks a city should have given a certain population, that isn’t the case. While just about every other indicator does scale with population — road networks and crime rates, for example — it doesn’t work that way for parks and other green spaces.
“There’s no neat relationship between city population and parks per capita, or tree cover or even space that’s simply unpaved,” Emily Badger wrote in a 2013 Bloomberg article, citing the nonprofit Trust for Public Land’s study of parks in America’s 40 biggest cities.
We’ll return to an updated version of the Trust for Public Land study later, but first — of course! — a little history.
The first city park in America was Boston Common, founded in 1634 and initially used for cattle grazing, militia drills and public hangings. By the Civil War, it had become a place for non-lethal civic events and for free speech.
While the rich have always had private green spaces, the concept of a public park didn’t come along until the mid-1800s, with the rise of industrialization and the need for the tired and poor to, well, breathe free. The visionary who gave us municipal parks in the form we’d recognize was Frederick Law Olmsted. Known today as one of the designers of Central Park, Olmsted was more than a landscape architect. What he did best was travel and think, sometimes committing a little journalism on the way, and in 1850 he went on a six-month walking tour of England that would forever shape his — and our — way of thinking about public spaces. There, he visited Birkinhead Park, a “people’s garden” that was as open (in theory, at least) to the poorest British peasant as it was to Queen Victoria.
In parks, Olmsted imagined democracy in action.
Public spaces brought citizens together “with a common purpose,” Olmsted wrote, “not at all intellectual, competitive with none, each individual adding by his mere presence to the pleasure of all others, all helping to the great happiness of each.”
Central Park was opened to the public in 1858 and has gone through cycles of decline and restoration since. Like other American parks that would come later, it has reflected the sensibilities and sometimes the passions of its community, from the Victorian dinosaur craze to the massively attended free concert by Simon and Garfunkel in 1981.
Out here in the hinterland, our parks are heavy on history. You can scarcely visit any older city park here in Kansas that doesn’t have a monument to the Civil War or some later conflict. In Emporia, I like to walk Peter Pan Park, a 52-acre space that for about 40 years had monkeys on display in a WPA-built stone house in the middle of a lake. Most people around here know about monkey island, but the park still has some surprises. My route through the park takes me through a wooded area where stands a lonely, pylon-shaped monument to the Spanish American War.
While many parks started as memorials — and originally had the look and feel of cemeteries — in later decades the emphasis has been on recreation, from ball fields to splash pads to pickleball courts. This reflects conventional municipal wisdom that parks should be useful in some way, that public spaces should offer utility in addition to, or perhaps instead of, reflection.
But public parks offer more benefits than just playing or thinking.
In addition to being essential for our health, according to the Trust for Public Land, access to green spaces conserves nature, fights climate change, reduces crime, and strengthens communities. The trust’s original ranking of the nation’s 40 largest cities has expanded and offers insight into how equitable communities are, based on what percentage of its residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Called ParkScore, the project has now expanded to the 100 largest cities and many smaller ones, and on its website you can look up metrics for just about any urban area. ParkScore uses five metrics: acreage, access, investment, amenities, and equity. Washington, D.C., is ranked the best among America’s large cities.
Wichita is ranked 66. It scores below average on acreage, access and investment, and about average in amenities and equity. Only 4% of Wichita’s land is used for parks and recreation, compared with a national median of 15%.
For acreage, Emporia fares even worse.
Only 3% of the land is used for parks and recreation. Emporia is above average for access, however, because 74% of its residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Hahrie Han, a political science professor at Johns Hopkins, was quoted in a recent Trust for Public Land study that over the past 50 years, American society has seen a “withering” of common spaces for people to gather. But, she said, that trend can be combatted by investing in parks and other green spaces.
“The audacious, beautiful, and exciting promise at the heart of democracy is the idea that putting people into community with each other creates opportunities to learn the capacities, skills, and motivations needed to forge a common life together,” Han said.
Sound like wishful thinking?
It sounded like it to me at first. Then I remembered the petition drive to save Quaker Park.
In March, the Emporia City Commission voted 3-1 to designate the park as surplus property and authorize its sale. The plan called for three houses to be built on the property, two by private developers and one by the local Habitat for Humanity. Some saw it as a step toward providing housing for the community, but others questioned whether the city should be shedding a park in a part of the city that didn’t have many to being with.
The park was acquired by the city in 1952 from the Conservative Friends of Galena. It was an empty lot then and had been for years. An original Quaker meeting house had been built on the site in 1881, but as the number of Quakers in Emporia dwindled, the building had been sold to another denomination and moved.
The grassroots effort to save the park had to be done in a hurry. The goal was to gather, within a 30-day window, the required 462 signatures on a petition to halt the sale. The signatures had to be from registered voters and the number was equal to 10% of those who had voted in the previous city election.
The organizers held a barbecue, talked to reporters and community members, and established a website. In the end, they came up with more than 800 signatures. The city commission rescinded its previous action to declare Quaker Park surplus and for sale.
“We talked to so many people in this process and the vast majority of people we met were eager to sign the petition,” the five organizers said on the website. “Those few who didn’t were always respectful and we didn’t have a single contentious interaction. … Parks are a precious asset in our town, and we want to preserve them — even when they aren’t necessarily ‘our’ neighborhood park.”
There are at least a couple of lessons here for Wu, the Wichita mayor.
The first is that people will fight for their city parks.
The second is that they will do so in ways that are confoundingly civil.
I use the word confounding because in this day and age just about any political activity is likely to get you into a shouting match with your neighbor over the backyard fence. But not this. Not a single “contentious interaction.” That has to be some kind of civic miracle in 2024.
Because Wu is a registered Libertarian, I’m guessing she wouldn’t be particularly troubled by the transfer of public land to private ownership. Libertarians are notorious in their belief that free markets and private interests can better manage assets than can government. But Wu should take notice of a community coming together to save a city park in a neglected neighborhood.
So, let’s hear it for “Save Quaker Park!”
It may be just the lesson we need in how to save democracy. Or at least it might make opportunistic politicians think twice before sizing up the office furniture for a municipal garage sale.
Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed Caleb’s Law, strengthening penalties for online sexual extortion targeting children.
Governor Kelly says the law is named after Caleb Moore, a 14-year-old from El Dorado, who died by suicide after becoming a victim of an online sextortion scheme.
What the Law Does
Caleb’s Law expands Kansas’s existing sexual extortion statute in three key ways:
- Broadens the definition of sexual extortion to include threats involving explicit images – including AI-generated or digitally altered images
- Increase criminal penalties when an adult offender targets a minor or a dependent adult
- Creates two felony offenses: aggravated sexual extortion causing great bodily harm and aggravated sexual extortion causing death
Under the new law, sexual extortion involving a minor or dependent adult is elevated from a severity level 7 to a severity level 6 person felony for coercive intent cases.
The legislation also elevates a level 4 to a level 3 person felony when the victim is caused to produce or distribute sexual content.
Statewide Education Requirements
House Bill 2537 also directs the Kansas Attorney General to lead a statewide public education effort on sextortion. The AG’s office will:
- Prepare and distribute educational materials for schools, students, parents and the public
- Collaborate with the Kansas State Board of Education and law enforcement agencies
- File an annual report beginning July 1, 2027, to the Governor, legislative leadership and the State Board of Education on implementation progress
The Attorney General’s Office estimates the education effort will require two new positions at a cost of around $213,900 from the State General Fund, rising to an estimated $20,300 in 2028.
In Their Own Words
Gov. Kelly said the law reflects the state’s commitment to keeping pace with digital threats facing children.
“Protecting Kansas children means staying ahead of the evolving threats they face, especially in an increasingly digital world where exploitation can happen in an instant,” she said. “By prioritizing education and awareness, Caleb’s Law ensures that young people, families, and educators have the tools to recognize sexual extortion and seek help before it’s too late. By signing this bill, we’re honoring Caleb’s life by shining a light on this growing danger and taking meaningful action to prevent future tragedies.”
Rep. Bob Lewis (R-Garden City), who introduced the bill, added that it earned unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers.
“Our kids are our future and protecting them from online predators, who are increasingly dangerous and sophisticated, must be a top legislative priority,” he stated. “I’m therefore pleased that the governor is signing Caleb’s Law, which I introduced and received unanimous, bipartisan support in both legislative chambers. What happened to Caleb is tragic and must be stopped.”
Rep. Dan Osman (D-Overland Park) credited Caleb Moore’s family for pushing the legislation forward.
“Sexual extortion in any form should never be tolerated, but children under the age of 18 are particularly vulnerable,” he added.
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office also voiced strong support, noting the law addresses one of the state’s most urgent child safety threats.
“HB 2537 is a critical measure to protect Kansans from sexual exploitation and ensure public awareness and education on this growing threat,” said Sarah Hortenstine, Division Chief of Youth Services, Kansas Office of the Attorney General.
Legislative Timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jan. 23 | Bill introduced, referred to House Committee on Judiciary |
| Feb. 5 | House committee hearing held |
| Feb. 16 | Committee recommends passage |
| Feb. 18 | House passes bill unanimously |
| Feb. 25 | Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary |
| March 17 | Senate committee hearing held |
| March 18 | Senate committee recommends passage |
| March 19 | Senate passes bill unanimously |
The bill received unanimous, bipartisan support in both chambers – with no recorded opposition.
Background: What Is Sextortion?
Officials noted that sextortion is a form of online exploitation in which offenders coerce victims – often minors – into producing sexual images.
Those bad actors then use the images to demand more content, money, or sexual acts, according to investigators.
State leaders said cases can escalate rapidly, and the resulting trauma has led to severe psychological harm and, in some cases, suicide.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
For mental health support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Since losing Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller in the transfer portal, Bill Self has been tasked with rebuilding his frontcourt from the 2025-26 campaign. While he has landed former Utah forward Keanu Dawes to succeed Tiller at the four, the Jayhawks’ roster still lacks a true center to replace Louisville commit Bidunga.
One player KU had hoped to add was Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, who tormented the Jayhawks when the two schools met this past February. However, the chances of him committing to play in Lawrence appear to be dwindling by the day.
The Senegal native recently wrapped up a trip to St. John’s and is set to visit Ann Arbor on Monday to meet with the defending champions, Michigan.
Source: Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam will visit Michigan on Monday.
Recently visited St. John’s.
Averaged 12.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG last season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 19, 2026
Kansas was initially supposed to be one of the top schools involved in Thiam’s recruitment, but that hasn’t necessarily been the case. The Jayhawks have been relatively quiet so far and haven’t gained much traction toward securing an official visit.
Not only is Michigan a recruiting powerhouse coming off a national title win under second-year head coach Dusty May, but it also boasts one of the largest NIL collectives in the NCAA. If the Wolverines are seriously pursuing Thiam, it likely means he will come at a hefty price tag.
KU is expected to increase the NIL budget this year to handle its roster deficiencies from the past few seasons. Regardless, the program must be strategic with its spending, especially with the decision of 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes still looming.
Who Are Kansas’ Alternatives to Moustapha Thiam?
If the Jayhawks are unable to land Thiam, there are a few alternatives on the open market. Those options may not carry the same hype as the 7-foot-2 phenom, who is ranked as the No. 3 center in 247 Sports’ transfer rankings, but they could still provide solid production nonetheless.
One name to watch is Anton Bonke, another towering big man who has spent time at Providence and most recently Charlotte. He visited KU’s campus earlier this week alongside Dawes and remains a viable option.
Another possible solution could come from within if Paul Mbiya decides to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to Kansas. The incoming sophomore flashed his potential during the postseason and is reportedly open to rejoining the program.
Finally, FC Barcelona center Sayon Keita is an international prospect who could make his college decision within the next month or two. He took an official visit to Kansas last July.
Whoever ultimately replaces Bidunga, Self will need to act quickly before the remaining top targets come off the board. Bringing back Mbiya and adding a transfer would be a strong start.
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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In 2025 at Kansas Speedway, Kyle Larson set a significant record.
In 2026 at the 1.5-mile intermediate track, the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet might simply settle for a win in Sunday’s AdventHealth 400.
In winning last year’s spring race at Kansas, Larson led 221 laps, most in NASCAR history for a driver in a 400-mile race on a 1.5-mile speedway.
That victory, however, was Larson’s last in the NASCAR Cup Series, though he did claim the 2025 series title by finishing third in the Championship 4 Race at Phoenix in November.
Statistics augur well for Larson as he tries to end his 32-race drought on Sunday. He has led 761 laps at Kansas Speedway since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, more than double the total of any other driver. Denny Hamlin is second with 337.
His 1,842 laps led on 1.5-mile tracks in the Gen 7 era (since 2022 inclusive) more than double the total of the next driver on the list (Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron at 912).
Larson has led laps in 21 of the last 22 races on 1.5-mile speedways, including the last 10 in a row. If he leads 25 laps on Sunday at Kansas, he will surpass Kevin Harvick’s track-record of 949.
The two-time series champion is the only repeat winner in the last 11 races at Kansas, having won three times during that span, including the last two spring races.
His history considered, Larson has every reason to be confident at a track he thoroughly enjoys.
“Kansas is a lot of fun,” Larson said. “It’s really fast. You’re always trying to carry a lot of speed and momentum off the corners and run big arcs into the entry. There are two different ends of the racetrack, but I feel like you approach the corners in a similar way.
“In the race, you settle into a comfortable pace and balance and try to run as close to the wall as possible without hitting it. It’s a fun place. It can be challenging, but it’s good because you have options to move around.”
Chevrolet teams have been dealing with a new body style this season. Chase Elliott’s win at Martinsville is the car maker’s only trip to Victory Lane so far.
“I think we’re gaining on it,” Larson said. “I think the body stuff maybe is what we’re fighting right now. Entries (into the turns) seem to be pretty loose at most tracks, and then the window of balance is pretty narrow…
“I think we’re not bad on speed. I feel like we’re close to a win, but at the same time, I feel like we have a lot of work to do to get our cars better to where a win would be much easier.”
If a victory for Larson is realistic possibility, Kyle Busch might be satisfied with a top-10 run. On a miserable afternoon last Sunday at Bristol, Busch started 29th and finished 25th, two laps down, after tangling twice with the Toyota of Riley Herbst.
Busch’s winless streak reached 101 races at Thunder Valley, and Richard Childress Racing, the organization that fields Busch’s Chevrolets, has failed to score a top-10 finish in eight straight races for the first time since 1981. RCR is the only multicar team without a top-10 finish this year.
Ty Gibbs got his first Cup Series victory at Bristol last Sunday, but the odds are heavily against another first-time winner at Kansas. In 40 Cup races at the track, there has never been a first-time winner.
Toyota drivers have won six of the first eight Cup races this season, and they’re likely to be strong again at Kansas. Tyler Reddick could become the fourth driver in series history and the first since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win five of the first nine races in a season.
Both Reddick and 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace, who is making his 300th career start, are former winners at the 1.5-mile track. The 23XI organization has three victories at Kansas, most at any single venue.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin boasts four Kansas victories, more than any other driver. He has finished in the top-five in seven of the last nine races there.
If a Toyota driver wins on Sunday, it will be the first time a single manufacturer has won seven of the first nine races in a season since Chevrolet accomplished the feat in 2007.
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