City of Derby

Arkansas River Corridor Access Plan (ARCAP)

Project Vision: To establish the Arkansas River as a premiere recreational amenity for the state and for the region.

Background
In 2005, the City of Wichita Parks Department began preparations for creation of the Arkansas River Corridor Access Plan. The purpose of the study was to identify key access points along the Arkansas River from Rice County to the Oklahoma border for recreation purposes.

The ARCAP Plan evolved into a multi-jurisdictional plan that includes the following partners: Department of Wildlife and Parks, Sedgwick County, Reno County, Sumner County, Hutchinson, South Hutchinson, Derby, Wichita, Oxford and the Arkansas River Coalition.

Applied Ecological Services, in association with Patti Banks Associations, were selected to provide services to develop the ARCAP.

The plan will be used as a future planning tool and as a guideline for future recreational and land development opportunities.

How is Derby involved?
On March 11, 2008, the City Council voted to suport the Arkansas River Corridor Access Plan.

The City of Derby invested $500 in 2006 to participate in the plannig process.

The City has determined an access point to the Arkansas River and has ideas on how to make it accessible to the public. The current site of the Public Works & Parks facility, located at 332 W. Market, will be considered as a future site for a riverfront park in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update being drafted this year. A new Public Works & Parks facility is scheduled for construction at 55th Street South and Oliver and should be completed in 2010.

How will it benefit Derby?
The ARCAP plan is a helpful tool to the region as well as to the City of Derby. It provides the City with the information needed to proceed to develop a master plan for development of a riverfront park.

A city park with river access, parking, restroom facilities and other park amenities will benefit the community in many ways. Not only will Derby residents have their own access to the river, but people from all around the south central Kansas region will be able to dock their canoes or kayaks in Derby to enjoy a meal or shopping along the K-15 business corridor.

Also, development of a park at the current Public Works site will be an opportunity for beautification of the major west entry into the City with gateway signage and landscaping.

Questions or comments? Please email webmaster@derbyweb.com.