City of Burlington

PARKS AND RECREATION

Kevin Boyce, Superintendent Parks Department

Burlington Parks Department

620-364-3071

kboyce@burlingtonkansas.gov

CITY OF BURLINGTON, Telephone: 620-364-5334; Fax: 620-364-2996; email:

Burlington has five recreational parks and several other parks for people to enjoy. Conrad Park, Drake Park, Jones Youth Recreational Park, Katy Park, and Kelley Park. These parks offer a variety of activities. Two of the parks offer camping and hook-ups; three parks offer baseball and softball fields; one park offers three soccer fields. Other excellent facilities offered in the parks in Burlington include: tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, outdoor three-wall racquetball courts, outdoor basketball courts, well-equipped playgrounds, and several attractive picnic areas for use by the public for large or small gatherings. Several rodeo events are held each year at Kelley Park in an arena built by the Coffey County Saddle Club.

Burlington has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 23 consecutive years.

Burlington has several other parks for residents and visitors to enjoy, including Arbor Park, Caboose Park, Conrad Park, Oak Park, Veterans Park. The Oak Park Nature Walking Trail was completed in March, 2004.

DRAKE PARK and Burlington CITY DAM are located on a scenic stretch of the Neosho River on the east edge of the City of Burlington. Drake Park provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy fishing, picnicking, sightseeing, and camping. Burlington City Dam is a favorite fishing spot of residents and visitors alike. Several species of fish are found in the waters flowing over the City Dam, including white bass, crappie, spoonbill, carp and drum.

Recent additions to Drake Park include the construction of eight concrete RV parking stalls. Each stall is equipped with water and electrical hookups and they are in close proximity to the City Dam. Newly constructed restrooms with showers are close by. Picnic tables have been set up at various locations throughout Drake Park and there are plans to install barbecue grills.

KATY PARK is the location of the Coffey County Museum and the Aquatic Center (city outdoor pool), and a ball diamond.  The Coffey County Museum is at 1101 Neosho, while the Aquatic Center is located at 215 South 13th Street.

KELLEY PARK:

Kelley Park, located on 46 acres along the Neosho River, is only a few blocks south of the City Dam and is a popular park for Burlington and Coffey County activities of all kinds. Kelley Hall offers a quaint location to hold family reunions, birthday parties, receptions, and

meetings. The new 4-H Building is also complete with kitchen facilities for dinners and banquets. Sporting events are held in the rustic covered Kelley Park Stadium. Rodeos are held in the Rodeo Arena. Kelley Park is the site for the oldest consecutively held annual fair in the State of Kansas. New restrooms were recently constructed in the playground area next to Kelley Hall. Several shelter houses are equipped with barbecue grills and picnic tables. RV parking is available at Kelley Park.  Kelley Park also has added more horseshoe courts for horseshoe enthusiasts.

BUILDING RESERVATIONS
KELLEY HALL  &  4-H BUILDING: Contact Burlington City Hall
301 Neosho Street / P.O. Box 207; (620)364-5334).

STADIUM: Contact Burlington City Hall
301 Neosho Street / P.O. Box 207; (620)364-5334).

SHELTER HOUSES: First come, first serve

RV PARKING / CAMPING : NO RESERVATIONS
Effective April 2016, the Self-Pay stations have been installed at Kelley Park and Drake Park/City Dam for the Recreational Camping facilities.

OPEN document below for additional information.

RV Camping – Drake and Kelley $10 Nightly effective April 2016

Burlington Parks Flyer – Camping Fishing Picnicking Rev 4-2016

 

 

PARK	REGULAR RATE PER NIGHT	SEE DOCUMENT ABOVE
DRAKE PARK / CITY DAM	$ 10	SELF-PAY STATION
KELLEY PARK	$ 10	SELF-PAY STATION

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USD 244 Recreation Center

Scot Jeffers Recreation Director 1110 Shea Street Burlington, Kansas 66839 Phone: 620-364-8484; Fax: 620-364-8035 The USD 244

Recreation Commission is responsible for conducting a comprehensive year-around recreation and leisure program for all ages within the school district. In addition, the Commission is responsible for operating the Recreation Center and the Aquatic Center, two of the newest and finest facilities of their kind in the State of Kansas.

The $2.1 million Recreation Center was completed in May of 1989. It offers residents 48,000 square feet of space for indoor recreational activities. Main features include an elevated walking track; a 25-yard, six-lane swimming pool; a two-court gymnasium; a fully-equipped weight room; two racquetball courts; an aerobics room; a game room; an arts and crafts room; and a child care room. The Recreation Center features top-of-the-line fitness equipment such as Stairmaster, PreCor, NordicTrack, Quinton, Schwinn, York and Cybex.

In addition, the Recreation Commission offers a variety of classes, sports, fitness activities, trips and events for all ages. Brochures are produced three times per year: in January, May and September.

Call 620-364-8484 for current activity schedules, fees, membership to the Recreation Center or other information. [Admission fees vary for persons who live in Burlington and those who do not.]

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Parks/Lakes within 35 miles of Burlington

There are many recreational parks in Burlington.  The area also has several recreation lakes.

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LAKES
Dams, Water Sports, Environmental Areas Outdoor Activities: camping, fishing , hunting, sightseeing, water sports, etc.

Coffey County Lake – The Coffey County Lake has been called the “Crown Jewel” of Kansas fisheries. The lake, which has a surface area of 5,090 acres and an average depth of 21.5 feet, opened for public fishing in 1996. The variety of species of fish include walleye, channel catfish, small mouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, and wipers.

To learn more about fishing on the Coffey County Lake contact:

Coffey County Lake Fishing
P.O. Box 206
Burlington, KS 66839

Phone: general information: Chamber of Commerce 620-364-2002 or  toll free: 877-364-2002
Phone: Is lake open/closed? (620)364-5119
Phone: Wind Advisory/Gatehouse-24 hrs: (620)364-2475 Dwight D.

Eisenhower Environmental Education Area – The Wolf Creek Dwight D. Eisenhower Environmental Education Area, which opened in September of 1994, offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the nature of eastern Kansas through its scenic nature trails. Five trails are available to enjoy scenic hikes 365 days a year.  Handicap accessible trails, Prairie Lake and South Pond, are a half mile long with asphalt surfaces.  The Kansas Nature Trail, has a grass surface. Marsh Island Trail is a wetland habitat.  The Marsh Island and Woodland Deer Trails are accessible by vehicle.  (Phone: 620-364-4141)

Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
530 West Maple, P.O. Box 128; Hartford, Kansas (620)364-5553.

The refuge is managed as part of the National Migratory Waterfowl Program and is open to public hunting during the hunting season, with the exception of the area north of the Neosho River which is closed to public access during the migratory waterfowl season. Detailed hunting information may be obtained from the Refuge manager, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge.

Gridley City Lake – Thirty-three acres, 1 mile N. of Gridley in Coffey County.
Gridley City Lake dedication for the reopening afte major renovations was held in July of 2013.  The project included new water line, eight pole extension of electrical line to the lake, a bath house, seven RV sites with electricity and water hookups, playground equipment, a volley ball court, covered picnic table, a covered gazebo, a lake sign, benches and landscaping.  The lake has been stocked with a variety of fish, inclidng bass, crappie, walleye, wiper, and catfish.

A Kansas Fishing License is required to fish at Gridley City Lake.  A city permit is no longer needed.  The lake reopened for fishing on May 1, 2013.

Contact: City of Gridley at  Tel: 620-836-3145; Fax: 620-836-2838; Mail: P.O. Box 182, Gridley, KS 66852 or contact Coffey County Chamber of Commerce Phone: 620-364-2002 ; Toll free: 877-364-2002

 John Redmond Reservoir and Lake – In the center of Coffey County, about two miles north and one mile west of Burlington, is John Redmond Reservoir which encompasses 9,400 acres. The dam is 20,740 feet long; the maximum height above the streambed is 86 feet, drainage area above the dam is 3,015 square miles, and the concrete spillway has 14 gates. Access roads lead into five park areas on the lake and below the dam. The park areas offer picnicking and camping sites, a swimming beach, boat launching ramps, water hydrants, electric hookups, sanitary facilities, group shelters and group camping. The lake offers all types of water related activities, and consists of 59 shoreline miles and 221 parkland acres. It provides excellent opportunities for fishing and hunting. Sport fish in the lake include white crappie, white bass, wipers, channel catfish and flathead catfish.

For further information contact: Resident Engineer; John Redmond Resident Office; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Route 2; P.O. Box 71; Burlington, KS 66839/Telephone: (620)364-8614.  [A step on guide is available upon request.]

Boating – Boating on the lake is in accordance with the Kansas boating laws and Corps of Engineers’ regulations. Operate your boat in a controlled, safe manner at all times. All boats propelled by a motor of any kind or a sail boat must be numbered and registered with the State of Kansas or legally registered with another state. For more complete information, see the “Kansas Boating and Safety Guide.”

Camping and Picnicking – Access roads lead into five park areas on the lake and below the dam. The park areas offer picnicking and camping sites, a swimming beach, boat launching ramps, water hydrants, electric hookups, sanitary facilities, group shelters and group camping. Fees are collected on a seasonal basis at the various parks. More detailed information regarding the fee program may be obtained at the project office.

Hunting and Fishing – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is operating approximately 1,600 acres of project lands for wildlife management and public hunting. The area is known as Otter Creek Game Management Area.

Numerous gravel and dirt township and county roads provide access to the game management areas open to public hunting. People hunting are urged to respect all posted signs and not to trespass on private property. Hunting is prohibited in developed recreational areas on the lake and in the vicinity of the dam and other project structures.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has under cooperative agreement approximately 18,500 acres of project land and water areas for operation of the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is managed as part of the National Migratory Waterfowl Program and is open to public hunting during the hunting season, with the exception of the area north of the Neosho River which is closed to public access during the migratory waterfowl season. Detailed hunting information may be obtained from the Refuge manager, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 128, Hartford, KS (620)364-5553.

Hunting and fishing activities are regulated by Federal and State laws. Areas open to public hunting in the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge and the Otter Creek Game Management Area are restricted to steel shot for all game species. Project hunting maps showing areas open for hunting and specific regulations and restrictions are available from the project office.

Principal game species include bobwhite quail, ducks, geese, mourning dove, cottontail rabbits, and numbers of squirrel, deer and turkey.

Sightseeing – John Redmond Reservoir is located in the broad Neosho River Valley near the eastern edge of the Flint Hills. The natural beauty of the area is an open invitation to the visitor for picnicking, camping, hiking and sightseeing. Bring your horse along and enjoy a ride on the scenic trails. Acres of grassland with abundant wildflowers are interspersed with wooded bottomlands and stream valleys. For nature enthusiasts, there are many native grasses and trees including big walnut, hickory, ash, cottonwood and cedar. Also, for bird watchers, there are many species of birds in the area, including migratory waterfowl and bald eagles. A bird watching checklist is available at the project office.

Lebo City Lake, which will open in the Spring of 2000 and will cover 70 acres is located two miles west and 1/2 mile north of Lebo in Coffey County. (City license is required.)
Contact CITY OF LEBO: Tel: 620-256-6622; Mail: P.O. Box 14, Lebo, KS 66856 or contact Coffey County Chamber of Commerce Phone: 620-364-2002 or toll free: 877-364-2002 ; Email: info@coffeycountychamber.com

 Melvern Lake – Located 20 miles north of Burlington on U.S. Highway 75, Melvern Lake consists of 6.930 surface acres of water and 17,244 acres of adjacent land. More than 500,000 visitors enjoy the recreational and natural resource activities of Melvern Lake’s six parks which include, but are not limited to, boating/water sports, picnicking, swimming, wildlife, nature trails, an equestrian trail, local historic sites, hunting areas, a full-service marina, and an interpretive information center.

For more information, contact: Melvern Lake Project Office; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; RR 1; Melvern Kansas 66510; Phone: (913)549-3318.

New Strawn City Lake, covering three acres, is located in the center New Strawn, less than five miles north of Burlington. (City license required.)
Contact CITY OF NEW STRAWN; Tel: 620-364-8283; Fax: 620-364-5110; Mail: P.O. Box 507, 407 N. Arrowhead Drive, New Strawn, KS 66839 or contact Coffey County Chamber of Commerce Phone: 620-364-2002 or toll free: 877-364-2002 ; Email: info@coffeycountychamber.com

Pomona Lake – Located approximately 25 miles north Burlington Pomona Lake is a 4,000 acre lake with eight developed parks, including R.V. campsites. Marina concessions provide a full range of boating, fishing and camping supplies. Pomona Dam if 7,750 feet long and stands 111 feet above the streambed. Activities available include hunting, fishing, recreation, camping, picnicking, and enjoyment of nature.

For more information, contact: Project Manager; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Pomona Lake; RR 1; Vassar, Kansas 66543/Phone: (913)453-2201.

Wolf Creek Environmental Education Area – The Wolf Creek Environmental Education Area, opened in September of 1994, offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the nature of eastern Kansas. The area consists of 160 acres on which there are three self-guided trails. The Prairie Lake Trail offers a prairie lake view, a bird viewing blind, a creek view, a water walk, and a predator’s view. The South Pond Trail offers a transmission line crossing, pasture grasses, view of the south pond, and pasture succession. The Kansas Nature Trail includes viewing the stock pond, the transmission line right-of-way, grassland ecology, the north lake shore, conservation and agriculture, grasses and trees, and the old Martindale School. The trails offer the opportunity to see thirty-eight species of snakes (only five are poisonous); native tall grasses; a variety of wild life including white-tailed deer, coyotes, wood mice, deer mice, fox, squirrels, meadowlarks, bobwhite quail, field sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, waterfowl, and king fishers. Also seen along the trails are a variety of plants, flowers and trees. The Wolf Creek Environmental Education Area provides the opportunity for an incredible sightseeing experience.

For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact: Wolf Creek Generating Station
Communications Department
P.O. Box 411
Burlington, KS 66839
Phone:(620)364-4141