Olathe's largest park, Lake Olathe Park, is undergoing a renovation valued at $15m, and construction began recently, though the plans were drawn up in 2015.
The design calls for a new marina, a new beach, a fishing pavilion and dock with easy access, and a new entrance to the park.
The recent work required the crews to blast, which they did every day, from the start of construction through July 5. The blasting meant that a number of park entrances were closed, which also meant that the Beaver Shelter, the disc golf course, and the east shoreline were not available to visitors. However, Lakeshore Drive will be open throughout the rest of the construction, and several park areas will be open in the evenings, as well as on weekends and holidays.
The project also includes The Landing, a two-story building on the lake's east side, that can be rented for special events such as family parties, reunions, weddings, receptions and similar occasions. It offers 6,500 square feet, and will have a glass wall facing the lake.
Olathe Parks and Recreation's Mike Latka said the goal of the effort is to make the park more attractive to people of all ages, so everyone would want to use it. The completion date is some time in the summer of 2019.
Projects like this can use flyer printing to disseminate progress reports to residents.
